Nature Podcast Trump team removes senior NIH chiefs in shock move
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Apr 4, 2025 
Journalist Max Kozlov dives into the recent upheaval at the NIH, where several prominent leaders were dismissed amid political pressures. He discusses the fallout from the Trump administration's focus on controversial topics like regret in transgender health research, which has raised alarms in the scientific community. Kozlov highlights the potential long-term effects on public health research and the integrity of scientific studies, as budget cuts threaten critical areas of inquiry. It's a revealing look at the intersection of politics and science.
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Unprecedented NIH Leadership Purge
- Four NIH institute heads were placed on administrative leave, some reassigned.
- This unprecedented move targets career officials, not political appointees.
Targeted Institutes' Research Focus
- The targeted NIH institutes fund research the administration deems unworthy.
- This includes research on gender ideology, COVID-19, and vaccine hesitancy.
Potential for Further Removals
- A rumor circulated that all 27 NIH institute directors would be removed.
- The fact that some were removed is already shocking and unprecedented.