New scientific director for NIEHS. (NIEHS News).

Lutz Birnbaumer has been named the new scientific director of the NIEHS, where he will direct the institute's $63 million intramural research program. "Dr. Birnbaumer's research and leadership will further enhance the outstanding programs developed under the leadership of [former scientific director] Dr. Carl Barrett," said NIEHS director Kenneth Olden in announcing Birnbaumer's appointment. "Dr. Birnbaumer has the right combination of vision, intellect, and administrative skills needed to move NIEHS to the head of the class."

A native of Austria, Birnbaumer earned his master's degree and doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Buenos Aires. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow under former NIEHS scientific director Martin Rodbell at the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases. Birnbaumer comes to the institute from the University of California at Los Angeles, where he was a professor in and chair of the department of molecular, cell, and developmental biology. He also served as a professor of anesthesiology and biological chemistry there, and was a full member of the school's Institute of Molecular Biology, Brain Research Institute, and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Prior to his appointment, Birnbaumer was a member of the NIEHS Board of Scientific Counselors, an external panel that reviews the work of the Division of Intramural Research. He has also been involved with the Salk Institute, the American Heart Association, and the Pew Charitable Trusts. He has taught international graduate courses in cell biology around the world and has been a visiting professor at nearly 60 teaching institutions.

"Under Lutz's guidance, I am confident that our commitment and pursuit of excellence will continue," said Olden. "He is just the right person to restock the institute with the kind of scientific talent needed to be competitive in the present scientific climate."