India-American Assumes Leadership of Top US Medical Research Agency

Synopsis

On April 1, Jayanta 'Jay' Bhattacharya became the 18th Director of the US National Institutes of Health. He aims to align the agency's work with the President's health initiatives, focusing on chronic diseases and restoring commitment to top-tier scientific research.

Key Takeaways

Jayanta 'Jay' Bhattacharya is the new Director of the US National Institutes of Health.
He was confirmed by the Senate on March 25.
Dr. Bhattacharya aims to enhance focus on chronic disease management.
His leadership will prioritize gold-standard science.
He gained attention for opposing strict Covid-19 measures.

Washington, April 1 (NationPress) Jayanta 'Jay' Bhattacharya officially assumed his role as the 18th Director of the US National Institutes of Health, recognized as the nation's leading medical research institution.

Dr. Bhattacharya stands as one of the most prominent Indian-Americans within the Donald Trump administration. His nomination occurred in November, and he received Senate confirmation on March 25. The highest-ranking Indian-American in this administration is Second Lady Usha Vance.

He is expected to "play a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s direction and ensuring it aligns with the President’s Make America Healthy Again initiative," as stated by the NIH.

According to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., "Under Dr. Bhattacharya’s guidance, NIH will reaffirm its dedication to gold-standard science. I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Bhattacharya to ensure NIH research reflects our Administration’s priorities - particularly in addressing the chronic disease epidemic and advancing the Make America Healthy Again mission."

Dr. Bhattacharya remarked: "Chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity persistently lead to adverse health outcomes in every community across the United States. Innovative biomedical advancements that enhance health and prolong life are more crucial than ever for our nation’s future."

"As NIH Director, I will build upon the agency’s rich legacy of facilitating breakthroughs in biology and medicine by promoting gold-standard research and innovation to combat the chronic disease crisis."

Born in Kolkata, Dr. Bhattacharya obtained his BA and MA in economics from Stanford University before earning his medical doctorate and PhD in economics from the same institution.

Dr. Bhattacharya gained national prominence following the Covid-19 outbreak when he publicly criticized the lockdowns and mask mandates. "We have significant concerns," Bhattacharya and his two co-authors stated in a widely referenced paper called the Great Barrington Declaration. "We have significant concerns regarding the detrimental physical and mental health effects of the existing Covid-19 policies."