NIH Appoints John Powers III Acting NIAID Director After Taubenberger Departure and Recent Leadership Changes
@statnews reported that the National Institutes of Health appointed John Powers III to lead its infectious disease institute on an acting basis after weeks without permanent leadership.
citizen.co.zaThe National Institutes of Health appointed researcher John Powers III to lead its infectious disease institute on an acting basis. The appointment followed weeks of leadership limbo at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after Jeffrey Taubenberger stepped down. Powers previously served as a senior adviser at NIAID and as Taubenberger’s deputy.
5 billion in funding, has operated without a permanent leader since the ousting of Jeanne Marrazzo in March 2025. A handful of other top NIAID leaders have been reassigned to other posts in recent weeks. Lawmakers have expressed concern about the bench of infectious disease expertise at the institute amid a recent hantavirus outbreak and an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The appointment was announced to NIH staff in an email sent Tuesday morning. The email stated that Powers brings extensive experience in clinical infectious diseases, clinical research, regulatory science and public health leadership.
