Post by deborah on Mar 12, 2019 17:01:30 GMT
Cancer institute director named acting FDA commissioner
By SARAH OWERMOHLE 03/12/2019 12:45 PM EDT
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National Cancer Institute Director Norman “Ned” Sharpless will serve as acting commissioner after acting FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb departs in about a month, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced at a congressional hearing today.
The oncology doctor was appointed to head the institute, part of NIH, in June 2017 and quickly made modernizing research, diversifying clinical trials and improving outreach to underserved populations some of his signature issue areas.
Sharpless also made developing and retaining NCI’s workforce, particularly young researchers, a key focus areas and has advocating deciphering the “basic science” behind how cancer works and to pool that data to better map and understand the disease.
Funding for NCI and its parent agency NIH has increased over Sharpless’ tenure as the agency steers the Cancer Moonshot initiative launched during the Obama administration. NIH has enjoyed steady bipartisan support over the years and frequent contact with Congress, where Sharpless testified four times in his first year on the job.
The NCI director does not appear to be a Republican. FCC records show Sharpless contributed to both Obama presidential campaigns.
By SARAH OWERMOHLE 03/12/2019 12:45 PM EDT
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
National Cancer Institute Director Norman “Ned” Sharpless will serve as acting commissioner after acting FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb departs in about a month, HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced at a congressional hearing today.
The oncology doctor was appointed to head the institute, part of NIH, in June 2017 and quickly made modernizing research, diversifying clinical trials and improving outreach to underserved populations some of his signature issue areas.
Sharpless also made developing and retaining NCI’s workforce, particularly young researchers, a key focus areas and has advocating deciphering the “basic science” behind how cancer works and to pool that data to better map and understand the disease.
Funding for NCI and its parent agency NIH has increased over Sharpless’ tenure as the agency steers the Cancer Moonshot initiative launched during the Obama administration. NIH has enjoyed steady bipartisan support over the years and frequent contact with Congress, where Sharpless testified four times in his first year on the job.
The NCI director does not appear to be a Republican. FCC records show Sharpless contributed to both Obama presidential campaigns.