STAT+: NIAID appoints new acting director after weekslong questions over leadership

STAT PlusPolitics NIAID appoints new acting director after weekslong questions over leadership Selection of John Powers III, top NIAID adviser, comes amid heightened attention for the institute Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Anil OzaJune 9, 2026 General Assignment Reporter Anil Oza[email protected]Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. The National Institutes of Health has appointed researcher John Powers III to lead its infectious disease institute on an acting basis, after weeks of being in leadership limbo following reports that the previous director, Jeffrey Taubenberger, had stepped down. The appointment of Powers, previously a senior adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Taubenberger’s deputy, comes at a moment of heightened attention for the institute. The NIH’s second-largest agency, responsible for $6.5 billion worth of funding, has been without a permanent leader since the ousting of Jeanne Marrazzo last March. In recent weeks, a handful of other top leaders have also been reassigned to other posts, causing lawmakers to express concern about the bench of infectious disease expertise at a time of alarm over the recent hantavirus outbreak and the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Advertisement The news was announced to NIH staff in an email, seen by STAT, sent Tuesday morning. Powers “brings extensive experience in clinical infectious diseases, clinical research, regulatory science and public health leadership,” the email said. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In infectious diseases, NIH, research, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Anil Oza General Assignment Reporter Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. Newsletter All the health and medical news you need today, in one email Recommended Health June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump administration releases rules for new Medicaid work requirements Exclusive May 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Massachusetts sues UnitedHealth, alleging fraud in state’s Medicaid plans for seniors Advertisement Politics May 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Acting head of NIH’s infectious disease institute reported to have stepped down Health May 20, 2026 STAT Plus: Kennedy fires two leaders on preventive services task force Health May 20, 2026 STAT Plus: Kennedy names interim surgeon general amid vacancies atop health department Subscriber Picks