Meet Jay Bhattacharya: Trump's Pick to Lead NIH

Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor known for criticizing U. S. COVID-19 policies, has been chosen by President-elect Trump to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH, with a budget of $47. 3 billion, is the country's main funder for medical research. Bhattacharya's appointment comes at a time when the agency is under scrutiny by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Trump's pick for Health and Human Services, who plans to overhaul the NIH, including firing 600 employees and shifting the focus from infectious diseases like COVID-19 to chronic diseases. Bhattacharya, who co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration urging a return to normal life for the non-vulnerable during the pandemic, has faced controversy for suing the government over alleged censorship of his opinions on social media. The NIH's current director, Francis Collins, has defended Anthony Fauci, a frequent target of Republicans, stating Fauci's job is protected by civil service regulations. However, President Trump has vowed to change these protections. Bhattacharya's appointment brings new leadership to an agency critical for medical research.