Mourning the Loss of an NIH Giant, NIAMS Director Steve Katz

In late December, NIH lost one of its most beloved leaders. Stephen (Steve) I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., the long-time Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), passed away suddenly. Steve was an outstanding physician, scientist, leader, and NHGRI friend. A world-renowned expert in investigative dermatology, Steve was responsible for training a large number the immunodermatologists now practicing in the United States and multiple countries around the world. He was a beacon of knowledge at the NIH as well as the larger biomedical research enterprise. His wisdom, wit, and judgment were nothing short of spectacular.

Steve was born in New York, grew up in Bethesda, trained in internal medicine and dermatology, and arrived at NIH in 1974. There, he initiated a highly productive research program in the immunology of skin diseases within the National Cancer Institute. In 1980, he was promoted to a Branch Chief. In 1995, he was identified as the perfect choice to fill the NIAMS Director position.

In his 23 years as NIAMS Director, Steve ably led the Institute and made major research contributions related to numerous important diseases. Recently, he played a central role in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership project, a public-private partnership involving NIH, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, biopharmaceutical and life science companies, and non-profit organizations that aims to transform the current model for developing new diagnostics and treatments by jointly identifying and validating promising biological targets for therapeutics. In particular, his leadership role in the management of the project led to new insights into the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Throughout his career, Steve served as a valued mentor to hundreds of scientists, physicians, and fellow scientific leaders. Dan Kastner, NHGRI Scientific Director, benefited enormously from Steve's generous mentorship for many years, especially when Dan was a researcher and NIAMS Clinical Director (before coming to NHGRI). When Eric Green was first appointed NHGRI Director, Steve was assigned the role of serving as Eric's 'mentor' (a routine followed for all newly appointed NIH Institute/Center Directors); Eric recalls the valuable insights that Steve provided during their regular meetings over the ensuing months.

As NIAMS Director, Steve served under five different NIH Directors, all of whom regularly sought his advice and help. No issue was too challenging for Steve - he excelled at helping NIH flourish, always eager to help in any way. In short, he was a leader worthy of emulation.

Steve was truly a man of many talents. A distinguished physician scientist, an outstanding administrator, and a devoted public servant. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication, excellence, and integrity. The NIH and biomedical research community have benefited immensely from his myriad contributions.

To read more about this NIH giant, visit niams.nih.gov/newsroom/announcements/niams-mourns-loss-dr-steve-katz.

Given the breadth of genomics research and its potential to affect all human populations, it is essential to have individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives participate in setting research agendas, performing the research, and examining the broader issues raised by genomic advances. NHGRI is committed to enhancing the pool of individuals from diverse backgrounds with appropriate training to pursue careers in genome sciences, genomic medicine, and genomics and society research. Towards that end, NHGRI recently issued a formal notice for administrative supplements that encourages eligible awardees to request funds for promoting diversity in health-related research; such supplemental funds would be used for recruiting and supporting students, postdoctoral fellows, and eligible investigators from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research. Funds can be requested for up to two years of support beginning in Fiscal Year 2019. For more information, see the NHGRI notice and the NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement.

In September, NHGRI gathered experts at a meeting entitled Genomic Medicine XI Meeting: Research Directions in Genomic Medicine Implementation. The meeting surveyed the current status of genomic medicine implementation research, identified current obstacles to implementation and how to overcome them, and defined where genomic medicine could or should be 5-10 years from now and the strategies needed for reaching these goals. A report from that meeting has now been released. Conclusions from the meeting include: (1) evidence for genomic medicine implementation will continue to be critical to drive the field, and an increase in the support for implementation research is needed from both NIH and external sources; (2) one major challenge to genomic medicine implementation is the lack of generalizability of frameworks, models, and data standards; and (3) better education and support of primary care physicians, healthcare experts, specialists, employers, and patients are required to help bring genomic medicine into everyday clinical practice.

Genomics Research

• Elevated Hormone Flags Liver Problems in Mice with Methylmalonic Acidemia
• Zooming in on Meiosis
• Accelerating Cures in the Genomic Age: The Sickle Cell Example
• 2,000 Human Brains Yield Clues to How Genes Raise Risk for Mental Illnesses
• NIH-Developed Test Detects Protein Associated with Alzheimer's and CTE
• Big Datasets Pinpoint New Regions to Explore the Genome for Disease
• Better Mouse Model Built to Enable Precision-Medicine Research for Alzheimer's
• Biomedical Research Highlighted in Science's 2018 Breakthroughs
• NIH Study Implicates Hyperactive Immune System in Aging Brain Disorders
• Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Community is Hopeful that Genome Editing Will Rechart Course of the Disease
• GA4GH Publishes Review of National Genomic Data Initiatives
• Notable Accomplishments in Genomic Medicine

Funding Opportunities

• Opportunity to Sequence Pediatric Cohorts through the Kids First Program
• Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
• NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
• NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required)
• Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
• NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) Awards
• Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
• Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required) (PA-19-127)
• NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
• NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)   

Funding News

• NIH Implementation of the Final Rule on the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (Common Rule)
• Additional Kids First Dates for Precision Modeling of Pediatric Conditions Collaborative Pilot Nominations
• Pre-Application Webinar Regarding Kids First Funding Opportunity Announcement: Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Structural Birth Defects

NIH & NHGRI News

• NHGRI Job Opening: Chief, Communications and Public Liaison *
• Genome: Unlocking Life's Code December 2018 Newsletter