Director's Corner

The Director of the Office of Science for CDC is the primary advisor to the director on scientific and medical matters and provides agency-wide scientific leadership. The ADS directs the Office of the Associate Director for Science (OADS) which provides CDC/ATSDR with scientific vision and leadership in promoting quality and integrity of CDC science, and helping to encourage the application of science to solving important public health problems.

Director of the Office of Science

Rebecca Bunnell, PhD MEd

The Associate Director for Science (ADS) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the agency with scientific vision and leadership in science innovation, research, ethics, and science administration. The ADS ensures continuity and commitment to long-term scientific investments, upholds scientific ideals, establishes an environment thriving with scientific excellence, innovation and integrity, learning and discovery, and upholds the timely dissemination and translation into practice of scientific information, innovations, and technology. The ADS serves as principal advisor with overall leadership and general direction for all CDC/ATSDR research, especially large scale collaborative research that is problem generated, cross-institutional, and multi-disciplinary to address cross-cutting public health issues. The ADS is responsible for the oversight of scientific integrity, quality assurance, and the rapid dissemination of scientific innovations, technology, and information with the ultimate goal of enhancing CDC’s mission and improving public health domestically and internationally. The ADS coordinates with the Centers/Institute/Offices (CIOs) the scientific research, scientific training and workforce development, technical assistance and science-based regulatory activities throughout CDC and ATSDR. View biography

Deputy Associate Director for Science

The Deputy Associate Director for Science (ADS) supports, advises, and represents CDC ADS, CDC Director and senior leaders on issues of science, science policy and science administration. The Deputy ADS provides high-quality and timely advice on high profile and regulatory (e.g., FACA, IRB) scientific issues, prepares and/or reviews high-profile Congressional and HHS reports, testimonies and ADS and Director’s responses. The Deputy ADS is required to provide ongoing and ad hoc consultancies to the programs and (as needed) lead and mediate, internally and externally, in difficult, contentious situations, and also will represent CDC on the HHS WG developing an integrated approach towards establishing Universal IRBs for addressing urgent human research protection issues in an emergency. The Deputy ADS serves as the Institutional Official for Human Research Subjects ensure compliance with Basic HHS Policy for Protection of Human Research Subjects and 45 CFR Part 46 to protect the rights and welfare of human beings who participate in research, and also as the Institutional Official for Animal Research to oversee all aspects of animal care and use and assure CDC-wide compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and standards regarding the humane care and use of laboratory animals at CDC (PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Animal Welfare Act), including policy development and work of Institutional Committee for Animal Care.

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Acting Associate Director for Policy

Kiana Morris MBA, CMCP

The Associate Director for Policy (ADP) serves as the policy expert and advisor for OADS and advises the Director and fellow senior leaders on policy, partnership, and issues management matters. The ADP also collaborates with leadership and stakeholders to develop strategic plans and foster partnerships to advance mutual interests. ADP roles and responsibilities include developing agency-level policies related to science quality, integrity, and innovation while also performing in-depth analysis and interpretations of policy matters. The ADP also coordinates agency-level evaluation efforts, inquiries, engagements, and audits related to policy and issues management in addition to reviewing reports, briefs and testimony from OMB, HHS, GAO, Congressional committees, and other federal and external partners. The ADP is the lead for developing memos, reports, briefs, talking points, and influential statements to advance policy, partnership, and issues management activities.

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Associate Director for Communication

Rosa Herrera, BS

The Associate Director for Communication (ADC) serves as the communication expert and advisor for OADS, advising the CDC Associate Director for Science and fellow senior leadership on matters related to public health communications. The ADC also collaborates with leadership and stakeholders to develop strategic plans and provides consultation and technical expertise for communication product development. The ADC is responsible for ensuring accurate, appropriate, and timely messaging related to science communication, and participates in review and clearance of communication products. The ADC develops and disseminates communication products to the CDC scientific community to build awareness of OADS, and serves as a liaison with Center/Institute/Office communication staff on agency-wide issues.
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Acting Director for Special Projects

CAPT John Iskander, MD, MPH

The Director for Special Projects provides oversight and supervision for the Science Impact, Science Communication, Academic Partnerships, and Public Health Informatics teams. Participates in senior leadership and strategic planning activities. Leads new initiatives or projects at the direction of OADS leadership. View biography

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Director of the Office of Science Quality

Joanne Cono, MD, ScM

The Director of the Office of Science Quality (OSQ) is responsible for planning, managing, and evaluating the programs of the Office and as a senior member of the Office of the Associate Director for Science (OADS) management team, participates in developing OADS program policy and objectives, short and long-term goals, program strategies, and operating policies. The Director of OSQ serves as senior advisor to the Director and Associate Director for Science, CDC, on scientific matters; serves as the senior level scientific clearance official for the agency, reviews and clears high profile scientific documents on behalf of the agency, documents are reviewed for accuracy, scientific merit, and adherence to agency policy; serves as the agency’s Research Integrity Official and is responsible for investigating allegations of research misconduct as required by regulation; serves as senior scientific advisory and clearance official for MMWR; promotes scientific quality throughout CDC through CIO level Associate Directors for Science; provides scientific expertise and consultations to CIOs on science activities and strategies; independently reviews reports, scientific papers, memoranda, congressional inquiries, and other similar materials for the purpose of providing written recommendations concerning these scientific issues; oversees the CDC scientific clearance process and resolves clearance issues and disputes among CIO level ADSs; oversees the CDC peer review process for extramural and intramural research; relates directly to executive leadership in other PHS agencies and major national and international organizations on issues of science policy and practice; represents CDC on scientific committees, national advisory groups, task forces, and serves as liaison with other federal agencies and academic institutions. Director OSQ provides leadership and overall direction for the Office. View biography

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Director of the Office of Scientific Integrity

Maryam Daneshvar, PhD

The Director of the Office of Scientific Integrity (OSI) is responsible for planning, managing, and evaluating the programs of the Office and as a senior member of the Office of the Associate Director for Science (OADS) management team, participates in developing OADS program policy and objectives, short and long-term goals, program strategies, and operating policies. The Director of OSI has leadership responsibility to protect the rights and welfare of human beings who participate in research; comply with laws and principles in the care and use of laboratory animals at CDC; ensure compliance with Paperwork Reduction Act; protect the privacy of individuals in records maintenance; ensure leadership in public health ethics and integrate ethical analysis into day-to-day decisions and activities across CDC; establish newly required oversight and regulatory activities; provide independent assessment and resolution of contentious situations/issues; and provide training relevant to science quality and integrity to CDC community. The Director provides leadership and overall direction for the Office and is responsible for planning, managing, and evaluating the programs of the Office and advises the ADS and Deputy ADS, CDC Director, Directors of the various CIOs, and other governmental and non-governmental agencies and departments about policy, research, and programmatic directions of the agency as they relate to scientific integrity activities. View biography

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Director of the Office of Technology and Innovation

Juliana K. Cyril, PhD

The Director of the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is responsible for planning, managing, and evaluating the programs of the Office and as a senior member of the Office of the Associate Director for Science (OADS) management team, participates in developing OADS program policy and objectives, short and long-term goals, program strategies, and operating policies. The Director OTI is responsible for providing leadership and expertise to promote and optimize the timely transfer of knowledge, innovation, and technology into products, devices and procedures that improve public health. The Director of OTI leads the agency’s efforts to evaluate, protect, market, license, monitor, and manage the wide range of CDC discoveries, inventions, and other intellectual property as mandated by the Federal Technology Transfer Act and related legislation; partner with the NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) to oversee patent prosecution of CDC technology and the negotiation and monitoring of CDC licensing agreements; ensure timely and accurate delivery of services to support technology development and facilitate collaborative relationships between CDC investigators and the broader scientific community; promote and cultivate innovative science, policies, practices and technology approaches that support the CDC and facilitate the agency’s response to public health needs; serve as the agency point of contact for HHS Innovation Council, HHS Innovates, HHS Ignites, and HHS Challenges; coordinate and oversee the CDC Small Business Innovation Research Program, the CDC Innovation Fund, and the CDC Collaborative Seed Award Program; and ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations and the policies of the CDC. The Director provides leadership and overall direction for the Office and is responsible for planning, managing, and evaluating the programs of the Office and advises the ADS and Deputy ADS, CDC Director, Directors of the various CIOs, and other governmental and non-governmental agencies and departments about policy, research, and programmatic directions of the agency as they relate to technology and innovation activities. View biography

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Management Officer

John P. Murphy, MBA

The Management Officer of the Office of the Associate Director for Science (OADS) provides administrative and management oversight of activities in support of OADS’s mission and core functions. This position provides leadership in implementation of new OADS activities and special projects. View biography

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