Monica Bertagnolli

Monica Bertagnolli is an American surgical oncologist and public health administrator who serves as the 16th director of the National Institutes of Health. A leading expert in clinical trials and cancer research, she previously served as the director of the National Cancer Institute and was a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. Her career has been dedicated to advancing oncologic surgery, improving cancer care delivery, and championing health equity within the United States' biomedical research enterprise.

Early life and education

Born in Worland, Wyoming, she developed an early interest in science and medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from Princeton University, where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She then attended the University of Utah School of Medicine, receiving her Doctor of Medicine degree. Her surgical training included a residency in general surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, followed by a fellowship in surgical oncology at the National Cancer Institute's Surgery Branch.

Medical career

Bertagnolli built a distinguished career as a surgeon-scientist, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. She held faculty positions at Harvard Medical School and was a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her research focused on the molecular biology of colorectal cancer and the development of prevention strategies. She played a pivotal role in national cooperative groups like the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, serving as its group chair and leading efforts to integrate biomarker studies into large-scale clinical trial designs.

National Institutes of Health directorship

In October 2023, following her tenure as director of the National Cancer Institute, she was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate to lead the National Institutes of Health. As director, she oversees the agency's annual budget and the research conducted across its 27 institutes and centers, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Her leadership priorities include strengthening the biomedical research workforce, accelerating the translation of discoveries into treatments, and ensuring the integrity of the nation's scientific enterprise.

Public health advocacy and policy

Throughout her career, Bertagnolli has been a prominent advocate for patient-centered research and reducing disparities in healthcare access. She has emphasized the importance of inclusive clinical trial participation to ensure treatments are effective for all populations. In testimony before the United States Congress and through public engagements, she has championed the Cancer Moonshot initiative and policies to lower drug prices. She is a strong proponent of data sharing and open science to foster collaboration among institutions like the Food and Drug Administration and global partners.

Awards and honors

Bertagnolli has received numerous accolades for her contributions to medicine and science. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Association for Cancer Research Academy. Her honors include the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Distinguished Service Award and the Brigham and Women's Hospital Physician Recognition Award. She has also delivered prestigious lectureships, including the American Surgical Association's Martin Memorial Lecture.

Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:American surgeons Category:American oncologists Category:National Institutes of Health officials Category:Princeton University alumni Category:University of Utah alumni Category:Harvard Medical School faculty