BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya visited the University of Alabama at Birmingham Thursday to share his vision to target chronic diseases as the head of the biomedical research agency.
One of the top-funded NIH institutions, UAB provided the backdrop for one of Bhattacharya’s first visits to a research institution since becoming director of the NIH in March. Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the agency has been the subject of budget cuts and grant cancellations.
“One of the main reasons why it’s so important that places like UAB exist… is that the research infrastructure of this country must reflect the people of this country,” Bhattacharya said to a group of about 250 UAB researchers, staff, and students. “The folks who work at UAB understand in a deep way the problems, the health problems and the health needs of the population of Alabama.”…