Carole Heilman Named DAIDS Associate Director
for Scientific Program Development
Carole Heilman, Ph.D., a virologist with broad experience in infectious diseases, vaccinology and international health, has been named associate director for scientific program development of the NIAID Division of AIDS (DAIDS). In this capacity she will also serve as deputy director of DAIDS.
She comes to DAIDS from the NIAID Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), where she served as program coordinator for infectious diseases and chief of the respiratory diseases branch.
"Dr. Heilman brings to the DAIDS management team a wealth of expertise, both as a scientist and scientific administrator," says Jack Killen, M.D., director of DAIDS. "The Division and the entire field of AIDS research will benefit from her experience and fresh perspectives."
Dr. Heilman succeeds Margaret Johnston, Ph.D., who is now scientific director for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, a new program recently launched by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Dr. Heilman came to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1978 as a postdoctoral research associate at the National Cancer Institute, where she subsequently served as a senior staff fellow. She joined NIAID in 1986 as a program officer for influenza and viral respiratory diseases in DMID. In 1988 she was appointed chief of the DMID respiratory diseases branch, and since 1995 also served as the program coordinator for infectious diseases in DMID.
She received the NIH Merit Award in 1990 and the NIH Director's Award in 1992 for her efforts in developing and implementing Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), collaborations between NIAID scientists and industry to enhance product development for improved public health.
Dr. Heilman and her DMID colleagues spearheaded the international clinical trials that demonstrated that a new generation of pertussis vaccines are more immunogenic and better tolerated than the current vaccine. She has been active in many other extramural research activities, notably as a member of the Staff Training in Extramural Program (STEP) committee and on data and safety monitoring boards for clinical trials. Dr. Heilman also serves as chair of the NIH Day Care Oversight Board.
"Dr. Heilman has made significant contributions in each position she has held, demonstrating outstanding leadership ability and scientific acumen," comments Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., NIAID director. "We are very pleased that she has accepted new responsibilities within NIAID."
A graduate of Boston University, Dr. Heilman holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in microbiology from Rutgers University. She is a member of the American Society of Microbiology, American Society for Virology, the International Society for Antiviral Research, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health. NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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