Bethesda, Maryland — NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., has announced the appointment of Colleen Barros as Deputy Director for Management, NIH, effective May 30, 2004. The title also includes the responsibility of chief financial officer for NIH.

Ms. Barros has been serving as the Acting Deputy Director for Management since February 1 of this year. Before that time, she had been the Associate Director for Administration at the National Institute on Aging since 1995.

She began her NIH career in 1979 and served in various administrative positions in the Office of the Director. During her tenure at NIA, Ms. Barros contributed to a number of major NIH-wide initiatives, including serving as the Project Manager responsible for development and implementation of the NIH Business and Research Support System.

"I am delighted to have Colleen as part of the NIH senior leadership team," said Dr. Zerhouni. "She is one of the longest-serving and most respected administrators at NIH."

Ms. Barros holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and a master's degree from American University in Management of Scientific and Technical Information Systems. Among her honors are the Presidential Rank Award in 2003, the PHS Superior Service Award in 1995, and four NIH Director's Awards.

Ms. Barros succeeds Charles "Chick" Leasure, Jr., who retired as Deputy Director for Management in February 2004.

The NIH comprises the Office of the Director and 27 Institutes and Centers. The Office of the Director is the central office at NIH, and is responsible for setting policy for NIH and for planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all the NIH components. The NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.