WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to officially nominate Susan Monarez, the interim head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for the agency’s permanent director role, as disclosed by a White House official on Monday. Trump had earlier revoked the first nominee, David Weldon, at the start of the month.
Monarez, who has temporarily led the CDC since January, previously served with the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). She is 50 and holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin, along with postdoctoral training in the same fields from Stanford University. Responding to inquiries, a CDC representative directed questions about Monarez to the White House. Trump, through social media, noted Monarez’s partnership with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“As both a remarkable mother and committed public servant, Dr. Monarez recognizes the critical role of safeguarding our children, communities, and future,” Trump stated in his post. However, he proclaimed that the CDC had lost public trust due to perceived political bias and poor management decisions.
Earlier in the month, Weldon’s nomination, a former Florida congressman, was rescinded because, according to him, there was not enough support for his confirmation. Weldon had close ties to Kennedy, a major figure in the anti-vaccine movement.
Headquartered in Atlanta, the CDC has a substantial budget exceeding $9 billion. It originated almost 80 years ago with the mission to curb malaria in the U.S. Over time, it evolved into a global authority on infectious and chronic diseases, providing health information worldwide.
Before stepping into her role as acting director, Monarez was recognized for her expertise in health technology and biosecurity. Her previous experience includes a stint at ARPA-H, an agency founded in 2022 to foster health technology innovations, where she was highlighted for her work with AI, notably referred to as “the Kevin Bacon of biomedical innovation” in a 2022 LinkedIn post.
Her career also spans various roles within the Health Resources and Services Administration, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Security Council. Furthermore, she held leadership positions in the Department of Homeland Security and the Biomedical Advanced Research Projects Authority, and was part of numerous scientific advisory panels.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, expressed his optimism by email, highlighting Monarez’s respect for science-driven decision-making and her successful history in government and infectious disease management.
Monarez began her role as principal deputy director of the CDC during the first week of Trump’s presidency, following which she served as acting director pending Weldon’s confirmation. Despite this, some current and former CDC staff mentioned anonymously to the media outlet that Monarez predominantly acts as a channel for directives from the Department of Health and Human Services. These staff reported that she has not engaged the agency in “all-hands” meetings and is less visible than expected in her leadership role.