U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NIH News
NIH Office of the Director (OD)
http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 8, 2007
CONTACT: NIH News Media Branch, 301-496-5787, <e-mail: nihnmb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
NIH ESTABLISHES WORKING GROUPS TO EXAMINE PEER REVIEW
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., announced today the formation of two working groups -- one external, the other internal -- to examine the NIH peer review process, with the goal of maximizing its effectiveness.
"Peer review is such a fundamental and critical part of the research process, that it requires our constant vigilance," said Director Zerhouni. "With the increasing breadth and complexity of science, along with the increased number of research grant applications, we need to take a comprehensive look at our review process, and make the necessary changes to strengthen it for applicants and reviewers alike. Although our peer review system is outstanding -- and emulated throughout the world -- we want to make it even better."
Over the last 60 years, the peer review process has been examined several times with the goal of making sure peer review identifies the best possible scientific research for NIH to fund. "NIH must continue to adapt to rapidly changing fields of science and ever-growing public health challenges. It also must continue to draw on the most talented reviewers and fund the most promising research," Zerhouni said.
The two new NIH working groups will seek input from the scientific community, including investigators, scientific societies, grantee institutions, voluntary health organizations, and from within NIH as well. The groups will study the context, criteria, and culture of peer review to make sure the most talented individuals and reviewers are engaged in the process.
EXTERNAL ACD WORKING GROUP ON PEER REVIEW:
-- KEITH R. YAMAMOTO, PH.D., University of California-San Francisco, co-chair
-- LAWRENCE TABAK, D.D.S., PH.D., National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, co-chair
-- BRUCE ALBERTS, PH.D., University of California-San Francisco
-- MARY BECKERLE, PH.D., University of Utah
-- DAVID BOTSTEIN, PH.D., Princeton University
-- HELEN H. HOBBS, M.D., University of Texas-Southwestern, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
-- ERICH D. JARVIS, PH.D., Duke University
-- ALAN I. LESHNER, PH.D., American Association for the Advancement of Science
-- PHILIPPA MARRACK, PH.D., National Jewish Medical and Research Center, University of Colorado, Denver
-- MARJORIE MAU, M.S., M.D., University of Hawaii
-- EDWARD N. PUGH, PH.D., University of Pennsylvania
-- TADATAKA YAMADA, M.D., Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
-- NORKA RUIZ BRAVO, PH.D., Office of Extramural Research, NIH, ex officio
-- ANTONIO SCARPA, M.D., PH.D., Center for Scientific Review, NIH, ex officio
INTERNAL STEERING COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP ON PEER REVIEW:
-- JEREMY M. BERG, PH.D., National Institute of General Medical Sciences, co-chair
-- LAWRENCE TABAK, D.D.S., PH.D., National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, co-chair
-- STORY LANDIS, PH.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
-- MARVIN KALT, PH.D., National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
-- RODERIC I. PETTIGREW, PH.D., M.D., National Institute of Bioimaging and Bioengineering, NIH
-- NORKA RUIZ BRAVO, PH.D., Office of Extramural Research, NIH
-- ANTONIO SCARPA, M.D., PH.D., Center for Scientific Review, NIH
-- LANA R. SKIRBOLL, PH.D., Office of Science Policy, NIH
-- BRENT STANFIELD, PH.D., National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH
-- JANE A. STEINBERG, PH.D., National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
-- BETTY C. TAI, PH.D., National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH
-- JOHN BARTRUM, Office of Budget, NIH, ex officio
-- JACK JONES JR., PH.D., Acting NIH Chief Information Technology Officer, NIH, ex officio
-- CATHERINE MANZI, Office of General Counsel, NIH, ex officio
-- JENNIFER SPAETH, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy, NIH, ex officio
Results from the ACD peer review working group will be presented to the full Advisory Committee to the Director in December 2007. The internal NIH steering committee working group will present its findings to the NIH Director's Steering Committee during the same month. Both working groups will meet in January 2008 to develop a set of integrated recommendations for next steps.
The ACD advises the NIH Director on policy matters important to the NIH mission of conducting and supporting biomedical and behavioral research, research training, and translating research results for the public. Additional information is available at <http://www.nih.gov/about/director/acd/index.htm>.
The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at <http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/>.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- "The Nation's Medical Research Agency" -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <http://www.nih.gov>.
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