Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University to spearhead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the premier medical research agency in the United States. Dr. Bhattacharya, a professor specializing in health policy, was chosen on Tuesday and is expected to collaborate closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is anticipated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

President-elect Trump expressed his confidence in Bhattacharya's leadership through a statement on Truth Social. He emphasized that Bhattacharya and Kennedy Jr. would strive to resurrect the NIH’s status as a leading institution in medical research. Trump highlighted their goal to address America’s pressing health crises, particularly chronic illnesses and diseases.

Dr. Bhattacharya, recognized for his expertise in healthcare economics, garnered attention during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic by challenging lockdown mandates. As one of the three authors of the "Great Barrington Declaration," he advocated an approach centered around "herd immunity," suggesting less restrictive measures for low-risk individuals to mitigate the pandemic’s impact. While this declaration faced substantial criticism from the scientific community, it received endorsement from Trump.

Reacting to his nomination, Bhattacharya conveyed his gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his commitment to restoring trust in American scientific institutions and leveraging scientific advancements to enhance public health. "I am honored and humbled by President @realDonaldTrump's nomination of me to be the next @NIH director," Bhattacharya wrote.

The appointment requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Bhattacharya’s nomination is part of a broader series of selections by Trump, including figures like former Fox News host Pete Hegseth and former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, eliciting opposition among Democrats.

Apart from his academic duties, Dr. Bhattacharya holds several key positions at Stanford, including research associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and at the Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute. He also leads the Stanford Center on the Demography of Health and Aging.