Indian-American scientist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya has been appointed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s leading health research institution. This historic nomination marks the first time Trump has selected an Indian-American for a significant administrative position.
Previously, Trump had chosen Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency, a voluntary position not requiring Senate confirmation. Elon Musk will also contribute to this department.
Announcing the nomination, Trump expressed enthusiasm, stating, “I am proud to appoint Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to lead the NIH. Dr. Bhattacharya, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will guide the nation’s medical research efforts, driving crucial discoveries to enhance health and save lives.”
Trump emphasized their joint commitment to addressing America’s significant health challenges, particularly chronic diseases. He added, “Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH’s gold standard in medical research, working diligently to make America healthy again.”
Dr. Bhattacharya, a health policy professor at Stanford University, also holds affiliations with the National Bureau of Economic Research, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, and the Hoover Institution. He directs Stanford’s Centre for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging, with research focusing on vulnerable populations, government programs, and biomedical advancements.
Known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration in 2020, which proposed alternatives to pandemic lockdowns, Bhattacharya’s work spans various disciplines, with numerous publications in esteemed medical, legal, and public health journals. He earned both his MD and PhD in Economics from Stanford University.
Trump also announced Jim O’Neill’s nomination as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), who will work alongside RFK Jr. O’Neill previously led significant reforms at the FDA, improving food safety regulations and enhancing drug and medical device oversight.
According to Trump, “O’Neill’s leadership will strengthen management, transparency, and accountability, contributing to our mission to make America healthy again.”
