NIH names Dr. Joni L. Rutter director of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., who is performing the duties of the National Institutes of Health director, has selected Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D., as director of NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Dr. Rutter has served as NCATS acting director since April 2021. She officially began her role as NCATS director on Nov. 6, 2022.

Dr. Rutter will oversee a diverse portfolio of research activities focused on improving the translational process of turning scientific discoveries into health interventions. The portfolio includes the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, which is one of NIH’s largest supported programs and has played an important role in the agency’s COVID-19 response. In addition, she will direct innovative research programs to advance diagnoses and treatments, including gene therapies, for some of the more than 10,000 known rare diseases. She also will lead labs at NIH that drive team science with the private sector to create and test innovative methods for improving the drug development process.

“Dr. Rutter took the helm at NCATS during the most critical public health challenge of our time,” said Dr. Tabak. “Throughout her scientific career and leadership roles at NIH, she has been at the forefront of many exciting and innovative initiatives, and I have great confidence that she will lead NCATS in accelerating the development paths for turning discoveries into treatments.” 

Dr. Joni L. Rutter

NCATS Director Joni L. Rutter, Ph.D.

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This page was last updated on Tuesday, November 8, 2022