UAB’s Dr. Marrazzo to replace Dr. Fauci as director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

UAB’s director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, MD has been chosen by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)  to replace Dr. Anthony Fauci, MD as the next director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

The position

According to the NIH, as NIAID director, Dr. Marrazzo will:

• Oversee NIAID’s budget of $6.3 billion, which supports research to advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases
• Support research at universities and research organizations around the United States and across NIAID’s 21 laboratories
• Respond to emerging and re-emerging public health threats at home and abroad. 

The NIAID response to outbreaks of infectious diseases, from HIV to Ebola to COVID-19, has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests and other technologies.

Proud moment for UAB

The announcement was made separately this morning by both the NIH and UAB President Ray Watts.

Below is the letter Dr. Watts emailed out to the UAB community.

Blazer Community,

Today the National Institutes of Health has announced that UAB’s own Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., has been selected to succeed Anthony Fauci, M.D., as the next director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) this fall. 

This is a great opportunity for Dr. Marrazzo to make a big difference to the country, and it is indicative of the high regard that exists for both her and UAB. While we are sad to see her go, we are delighted that Jeanne has been called to this national service and we are proud to count her as one of us at UAB. 

As director of our Division of Infectious Diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeanne served as a trusted advisor and friend who gave us the insights, guidance and confidence that allowed our institution to thrive in spite of immense challenges. She also helped inform the world, as she participated in constant local, national and global media interviews throughout the pandemic, sharing critical information and perspectives. 

As NIAID director, Jeanne will oversee NIAID’s budget of $6.3 billion supporting research to advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases. The NIAID budget supports research at universities and research organizations around the U.S. and across NIAID’s 21 laboratories, including the Vaccine Research Center on NIH’s main campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Rocky Mountains Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. NIAID also has a unique mandate to respond to emerging and re-emerging public health threats at home and abroad. The NIAID research response to outbreaks of infectious diseases, from HIV to Ebola to COVID-19, has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests and other technologies.

We will conduct a national search to identify Dr. Marrazzo’s successor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Jeanne for her immeasurable contributions to UAB, Birmingham, Alabama and beyond, and wishing her the very best. 

Sincerely, 

Ray Watts, President

NIH: Marrazzo is highly qualified

In a statement by NIH, Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., acting director for the National Institutes of Health added.

“Dr. Marrazzo brings a wealth of leadership experience from leading international clinical trials and translational research, managing a complex organizational budget that includes research funding and mentoring trainees in all stages of professional development,” said Dr. Tabak. “I look forward to welcoming Dr. Marrazzo to the NIH leadership team. I also want to extend my gratitude to Hugh Auchincloss, Jr., M.D., for serving as acting director of NIAID after long-time director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., stepped down in December 2022.”

What do you think of Dr. Marrazzo taking the reins of this all important national position? Will it be good news for UAB, Birmingham and Alabama? Let us know what you think on social media by tagging us at @Bhamnow