Elias Zerhouni

Elias Zerhouni, former director of the NIH and author of 'Disease Knows No Politics,' critiques current funding cuts threatening scientific progress. He defends the NIH's legacy against contemporary critiques and discusses the need for transparency in health communication. The conversation shifts to the decline of late-night TV and the impact of societal trends on media narratives. Zerhouni also humorously touches on the eccentricities of celebrity memorabilia auctions, highlighting the strange allure of bidding on items owned by icons like Larry King.

Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former NIH director and a professor at Johns Hopkins, shares his inspiring journey from war-torn Algeria to the heights of American medical research. He discusses the vital role of immigrants in innovation and the need to protect science from political influence. Zerhouni tackles the politicization of public health, especially during the pandemic, and calls for strategic reforms to safeguard health organizations like the NIH. His memoir highlights the ongoing challenges of funding and the importance of unbiased scientific advancement.