Trump picks Bhattacharya, Covid lockdown skeptic, to run NIH

President-elect Trump has chosen Stanford University professor Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health, with the aim of implementing bold reforms. Bhattacharya’s appointment comes amid a more combative political climate, with potential plans to replace NIH employees and shift focus from infectious diseases to chronic diseases. Bhattacharya’s controversial research on Covid-19 seroprevalence and opposition to lockdowns has garnered attention. Despite not being a practicing physician, Bhattacharya has a background in economics and health policy. His appointment reflects broader GOP calls for NIH reforms and criticism of certain research practices.

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