Monica M. Bertagnolli is the 17th director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Nominated by President Biden, Bertagnolli was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 7 and sworn in on Nov. 9. She is the second woman and first surgeon to hold the position.
NIH Fellows United Becomes First-ever Trainee Union in a Government Agency
Some 5,375 early-career NIH researchers have formed a union. The vote to establish the NIH Fellows United-UAW union was certified by the U.S. Federal Labor Relations Authority in December. This is the first union of its kind in the U.S. federal government.
The Heart–Brain Connection, Multisystem Research, and Neurobiological Resilience
Precisely how does stress—intangible and omnipresent—infiltrate our very fabric, and how can we stop it? Ahmed Tawakol proposed some answers at the 2023 Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture in the Science of Complementary Therapies, Dec. 6, sponsored by NCCIH.
Modest Calorie Restriction May Benefit Human Health
Sit down for a meal with an Okinawan elder and you might be told to mind your hara hachi bu, a Confucian-inspired Japanese concept to practice mindful eating and stop when you feel 80% full. With a reputation for longevity of life, the Okinawans might be on to something. Beyond extending lifespan, reducing food intake might also improve health span—the length of time a person is relatively healthy.
An Eye for Talent: Diamond will Foster Inclusivity, Mentorship
Jeffrey Diamond was named scientific director (SD) of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in August 2023, after serving for one year as acting SD. He leads a program of approximately 50 PIs and hundreds of trainees and support staff, succeeding both Lorna Role, who was NINDS SD from 2019 to 2021, and Nina Schor, who served as an interim SD while deputy director of NINDS.
Each year, TheNIH Catalyst pays tribute in the January–February issue to NIH employees past and present who are no longer with us. Our condolences are with their friends, family, and colleagues who knew and loved them.
