Anthony Fauci announced on Monday that he will step down from his roles as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden in December to pursue the next phase of his career.
He has been leading NIAID for 38 years and served seven U.S. presidents during his career, offering advice on HIV/AIDS, anthrax attacks, West Nile virus, Ebola, Zika, COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.
Fauci, who will also leave his position as chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, said in a statement Monday he is not going to retire and that he will “continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”
He added that he will help with the leadership transition over the coming months.
Biden issued a statement commending Fauci’s “unwavering” commitment to the work as the country deals with the COVID-19 crisis. The president also thanked the NIAID chief for his public service.
“As he leaves his position in the U.S. Government, I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next,” Biden said.
