Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American scientist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marking a significant milestone as he becomes the first Indian-American selected by Trump for a prominent administrative role.

Dr. Bhattacharya, a respected figure in health policy, will lead one of the nation’s top health research and funding organizations. His nomination reflects Trump’s focus on strengthening medical research and addressing critical health challenges in the United States.

Announcing the appointment, Trump said, "I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bhattacharya will work in cooperation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nation's Medical Research and to make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives."

Trump emphasized the partnership between Bhattacharya and Kennedy, stating that together they would restore NIH as a leader in medical research while addressing the root causes of chronic illnesses and diseases. "Together, they will work hard to Make America Healthy Again," he said.

Dr. Bhattacharya, a professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, is widely recognized for his contributions to the field. He also serves as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and holds senior fellow positions at various Stanford institutions, including the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and the Hoover Institution.

As the director of Stanford's Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging, Bhattacharya has focused his research on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. His work highlights the importance of government programs, biomedical innovation, and economic strategies in advancing public health.

Notably, Dr. Bhattacharya co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration in 2020, proposing an alternative approach to lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. His extensive peer-reviewed research spans disciplines such as economics, public health, health policy, and medicine. He holds both an MD and a PhD in Economics from Stanford University.

In addition to Bhattacharya’s appointment, Trump nominated Jim O'Neill as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). O'Neill will collaborate with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to improve the department’s management, transparency, and accountability.

O'Neill, who previously served as principal associate deputy secretary of HHS, is credited with leading significant reforms at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including enhancing food safety regulations and implementing the FDA Amendments Act. Trump expressed confidence in O'Neill’s ability to strengthen public health initiatives and contribute to the administration’s goal to "Make America Healthy Again."

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