AACR Congratulates Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, on Her Nomination as Director of the National Institutes of Health

Bertagnolli would be the second woman to head the NIH

PHILADELPHIA – The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) congratulates Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, on her nomination by President Biden to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Dr. Bertagnolli will bring to the NIH a strong appreciation for the value and importance of basic science to advancing translational research and clinical discoveries,” said Philip D. Greenberg, MD, FAACR, President of the AACR. “Her impeccable credentials as a researcher and clinician, along with her staunch commitment to patients, will help ensure that the NIH continues to lead the way in supporting biomedical research that is so vital for preventing disease, improving health, and reducing suffering from illness.”

Since October 2022, Bertagnolli has served with distinction as director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Prior to her current position at the NCI, Bertagnolli was the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery in the field of surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School, and professor and member of the Gastrointestinal Cancer and Sarcoma Disease Centers at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. She is a renowned surgical oncologist who specializes in the research and treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. An AACR member since 1996, Bertagnolli has been a member of the AACR’s Tumor Microenvironment Working Group and the AACR’s Women in Cancer Research membership group. She has also served as chair and committee member on numerous award and grant review committees for the AACR.

“We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bertagnolli on her nomination as NIH director,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “Her expertise and exceptional leadership skills will be an asset in this position of public health importance, one that requires dedicated stewardship to ensure that the NIH will remain at the forefront of medical breakthroughs that improve the well-being of millions and save lives from countless diseases, including cancer. The AACR looks forward to continuing to work with Dr. Bertagnolli in her new role as NIH director.”