Wed Mar 26 06:41:33 UTC 2025: **Indian-American Scientist Confirmed as NIH Director**
**Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2025)** – The U.S. Senate confirmed Indian-American scientist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Tuesday, March 25th, in a 53-47 vote. Dr. Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor of Health Policy, was nominated by President Donald Trump last November.
Dr. Bhattacharya’s confirmation comes amidst ongoing debate about the politicization of science and public health. During his confirmation hearing, he emphasized the need for the NIH to support research that is “replicable, reproducible, and generalizable,” expressing concern about the current state of biomedical science. He also stated his intention to work with President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to implement their “Making America Healthy Again” agenda.
Stanford Medicine issued a statement congratulating Dr. Bhattacharya, praising his commitment to public service and reaffirming the institution’s support for the NIH’s mission. Senator Mitch McConnell also voiced his support on social media platform X, expressing confidence in Dr. Bhattacharya’s leadership.
Dr. Bhattacharya is a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, an alternative to COVID-19 lockdowns proposed in 2020. He holds an MD and PhD in Economics from Stanford University and has published extensively in various academic journals. His appointment as the 18th NIH Director marks a significant milestone for both the NIH and the Indian-American community.
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