The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has appointed Steven Schiff, M.D., Ph.D., as the new director of the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and NIH associate director for international research, effective June 4, 2026. Dr. Schiff, a distinguished pediatric neurosurgeon and global health researcher, brings extensive experience to this pivotal role.
Currently, Dr. Schiff holds positions as the Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery and vice chair for global health in the Department of Neurosurgery at Yale University. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., praised Schiff, saying, "Dr. Schiff brings nearly 40 years of experience in global health, epidemiology of microbial diseases, and pediatric neurological disorders to NIH." Dr. Bhattacharya also thanked Peter H. Kilmarx, M.D., for his service as acting director of FIC.
In his new capacity, Schiff will spearhead NIH's global health research initiatives, fostering collaborations between U.S. and international investigators, strengthening worldwide research partnerships, and training future global health scientists. He will oversee the center's annual budget of approximately $95 million, primarily allocated to research grants and training programs.
Schiff's notable contributions include authoring nearly 250 scientific publications and founding the Center for Neural Engineering at Penn State University. His research, supported by NIH Director's Pioneer and Transformative Awards, led to the identification of neonatal paenibacilliosis, a severe infant brain infection increasingly recognized globally. The Fogarty International Center addresses global health challenges through innovative and collaborative research and training programs.