Michael Lauer has been named the new deputy director of extramural research at the US National Institutes of Health, the agency says. Lauer replaces Sally Rockey, who recently stepped down from that post.
Lauer, a cardiologist, has been with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute since 2007, ScienceInsider notes, where he directed the cardiovascular sciences division and oversaw basic, clinical, and epidemiological studies of heart disease. NIH notes that he was also recently named its co-chair for the President's Precision Medicine Initiative.
"Lauer brings both research expertise and administrative skills to the job, as well as keen insights into world of extramural research," NIH Director Francis Collins says in a statement.
Lauer is expected to start in his new position within the next few weeks. ScienceInsider adds that there's no word yet on whether Lauer will continue the popular blog Rockey ran that discussed NIH grants and policies.