Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
Dr. Fauci opened the Monday, September 23rd session of Council by welcoming visitors to the 142nd meeting. He welcomed the ad hoc Council member Dr. Diane Griffin, Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University.
Consideration of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The minutes of the May 30, 2002 meeting were considered and approved as written.
Staff and Organizational Changes:
Dr. Fauci announced the following appointments: Dr. Jonathan Kagan has been appointed Deputy Director, Division of AIDS. Dr. William Duncan is the new Deputy Director of the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation. Dr. Ernest Takafuji has been appointed Director of the Office of Biodefense Research Affairs in the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Budget Update
Dr. Fauci explained the budget changes likely for 2003. The President's budget allocates NIAID $1.5 billion over the FY 2002 amount, $1.4 million of which is budgeted for biodefense. The Senate has proposed an alternate budget that provides NIH with more money, but means a lower percentage increase for NIAID. This would hamper biodefense. The Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill is being discussed in the House.
The Buildings and Facilities budget increased 94 percent, which will provide for the construction of new buildings on campus and in Frederick, and for NIH Physical Security.
Legislative Update
Dr. Fauci described his testimony before the Senate Subcommittee at a June 11th field hearing, and his participation in a June 27th "roundtable" discussion on smallpox vaccination policy.
Other
Dr. Fauci addressed a number of small topics, including: the research agenda for Category A agents, which is getting recognition from other branches of government; the 32 research initiatives currently out and the further initiatives and expansions planned for FY 2003; availability of the smallpox vaccine and the formulation of smallpox vaccine policy; partnership with the Department of Defense in the field of HIV/AIDS research and the move towards greater international collaborations in HIV/AIDS, and questions and accomplishments regarding West Nile virus.
Council Materials
The NIAID Office of Communications provided Council members with several publications and press releases.
|