Rick Woychik, Ph.D., directs NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program. (Image courtesy of NIEHS)
I would like to begin this column by encouraging Director’s Corner readers to check out my recent conversation with new NIEHS Deputy Director Trevor K. Archer, Ph.D., to learn about what he hopes to accomplish in his new role. Given the importance of this announcement, I decided to highlight our discussion in a feature piece in this month’s issue of Environmental Factor. Dr. Archer’s scientific knowledge, passion for advancing innovative research, and ability to bring colleagues together to achieve ambitious goals will serve our institute and the environmental health sciences community well for years to come.
I thought I would also reflect on the past 12 months of the Director’s Corner. When I launched the column in January 2021, my inaugural piece highlighted my leadership philosophy, which is based on five fundamental aims.
Empower strong leadership at all levels.
Promote innovation.
Encourage collaboration.
Enhance communication.
Strengthen the workforce through diversity.
After that first article, I sought to interview thought leaders and scientists in a variety of disciplines because the research that NIEHS tackles is multifaceted, involving everything from toxicology and data science to genetics and health disparities. My goals were — and still are — to increase the exchange of ideas so that researchers at NIEHS and elsewhere can learn about exciting new initiatives and find opportunities for collaboration.
Below is a rundown of all 12 Director’s Corner Q&As to date. With topics such as precision environmental health, environmental justice, climate change, the exposome, and natural disasters, there likely is something for everyone. Also, I invite readers to submit ideas for topics and experts they would like to see highlighted in my future columns. Please email your ideas to EnvironmentalFactor@nih.gov.
February 2021
March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
July 2021
August 2021
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
January 2022
(Rick Woychik, Ph.D., directs NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program.)
