NIH Director Expresses Disappointment over RIFs, Satirizes '5 Things' Email, and Accepts Agency's Responsibility for COVID-19 Outbreak in Initial Speech
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a new leader at the helm. Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak, who served as a professor at Stanford University, was confirmed as the new director on March 1 and began his service in April.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the newly appointed director, has faced a number of challenges since taking office. One of the most significant issues he inherited was the layoff of 1,200 NIH employees, which took effect on the day of his swearing in. However, it's important to note that Bhattacharya did not play a role in these layoffs.
During his first town hall address, a small group of employees walked out in protest. Bhattacharya acknowledged the group and expressed that dissent was welcome. He also expressed remorse that he was not able to weigh in on the layoffs.
Bhattacharya has made it clear that he hopes to bring people back from the layoffs as needed, including those working in contracting. He is also working to address the shortage of supplies at NIH labs and medical centers, a problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of research, Bhattacharya has emphasised the importance of replicability and the ability to disprove research projects. He also addressed the origins of COVID-19 while laying out his top priorities for the agency, one of which was research safety and transparency.
Bhattacharya has alluded to the theory that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in China and subsequently "leaked" to the general public, a view supported by President Trump and his administration. However, it's worth noting that this theory has received pushback from other intelligence agencies and international scientific organisations.
Bhattacharya has also suggested that NIH-funded research may have contributed to the outbreak of COVID-19. In response to this, he has stated that NIH should not conduct any research that advances an ideology.
Another issue Bhattacharya has addressed is the cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in grants since Trump took office because they were deemed related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Bhattacharya has not commented specifically on this issue, but he has expressed a desire to foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the NIH.
Lastly, Bhattacharya has announced that NIH is no longer requiring the weekly email that was first instituted by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. This email, which asked employees to report any waste or inefficiency they observed, has been a point of contention for many NIH employees.
In all, Bhattacharya has made it clear that his top priorities are research transparency, safety, and inclusivity. He is working to address the challenges facing the NIH and to bring about positive change within the organisation.
