NIAID Names Dr. Edmund Tramont New AIDS Division Director
On Monday, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced the appointment of Dr. Edmund Tramont as director of its Division of AIDS. Tramont, who began in his new position on July 6, had since 1998 been co-director of the Vaccine Division at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute and was "instrumental" in the development of eight experimental vaccines (the NIH did not specify what types of vaccines). Tramont served 23 years as a doctor in the army before becoming a professor at UMBI in 1991, where he also served as director of the Medical Biotechnology Center. As DAIDS director, Tramont will oversee a $444 million international research program that aims to treat, prevent and "better understan[d]" HIV/AIDS. "Dr. Tramont's scientific accomplishments and his proven track record as a manager make him the ideal person for the job. He possesses a broad scientific vision and the ability to lead and inspire," NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said. Tramont replaces Dr. John Killen, who is now NIAID's associate director for research ethics (NIH release, 7/16).
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