Controversial Stanford Professor Jay Bhattacharya Nominated by Trump to Lead NIH Amid Criticism Over Pandemic Views

Nomination:
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH)13.

Background:
Bhattacharya is a professor of medicine and economics at Stanford, known for his controversial views on COVID-19, including advocating for "herd immunity" and questioning the severity of the pandemic12.

Criticism:
His appointment has been criticized by some in the academic community due to his lack of clinical experience and controversial past statements on COVID-19 policy1.

Senate Confirmation:
Bhattacharya will need to undergo a Senate confirmation process before officially taking the role1.

Support:
Some colleagues, like Scott Atlas, have praised Bhattacharya's commitment to evidence-based research and open scientific debate1.

Concerns:
Medical students and faculty members have expressed concerns about Bhattacharya's qualifications and potential impact on the NIH's research direction1.

Sources:

1. https://stanforddaily.com/2024/11/27/jay-bhattacharya-appointed-nih/

2. https://healthpolicy.fsi.stanford.edu/people/jay_bhattacharya

3. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/trump-picks-jay-bhattacharya-stanford-economist-and-pandemic-policy-critic-nih-director