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Announcements

Dr. Collins reminded all IC Directors that Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would serve as the guest speaker at today’s meeting, and that Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, SAMHSA Administrator, would visit NIDA in the afternoon.  Dr. Collins announced that Dr. Norman E. “Ned” Sharpless, took the oath of office late Tuesday, October 17, 2017, to become the 15th director of the National Cancer Institute.  In addition, Dr. Collins shared that NIH’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative launched a cell census network. The network of integrated centers, collaborating laboratories, and data resources will be funded by 11 grants projected to total about $50 million annually over five years.  The network will provide researchers with a comprehensive reference of the diverse cell types in human, monkey, and mouse brain, and will generate knowledge that is prerequisite to solving the mysteries of brain disorders, such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder. 

Reimagine HHS Update

Dr. Larry Tabak, Principal Deputy Director, provided a brief update on NIH’s efforts for the ReImagine HHS initiative.  Optimize NIH will examine how to improve effectiveness and efficiency in the areas of ethics, committee management, and Freedom of Information Act activities.