President Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate Susan Monarez as the permanent director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision comes after he withdrew the nomination of David Weldon earlier this month. Monarez, who has been serving as the acting director since January, brings extensive experience from her previous role at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
Monarez, 50, holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin and completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University. In a social media post, Trump expressed confidence in Monarez, highlighting her dedication as both a mother and public servant. He emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the CDC, which he stated has been eroded due to political bias and mismanagement.
Weldon’s nomination was halted after he reported that it lacked sufficient support for confirmation, a situation complicated by his close ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance. The CDC, established nearly 80 years ago primarily to combat malaria, has evolved into a major authority on public health issues in the United States.
Before assuming her acting role, Monarez was known for her work in health technology and biosecurity and had a significant influence at the small agency ARPA-H, which aims to drive innovation in health technologies. Her track record includes previous positions at various health-related bodies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council.
While some share a favorable view of Monarez’s background and capabilities, there have been criticisms regarding her visibility and communication with CDC staff. Some employees reported a lack of engagement and direct communication from her during her time in leadership.
The support for Monarez’s nomination among health professionals varies, but there is hope that, if confirmed, she could bring about renewed focus on science-based decision-making at the CDC. The agency continues to play a critical role in public health, with a core budget exceeding $9 billion dedicated to addressing health challenges across the country.
