The new acting CBER director at the FDA — for now

Plus: Remembering J. Craig Venter, "forever chemicals" in baby formula, and Nicole Saphier's policies, in her own words ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

May 1, 2026 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

Alex Hogan/STAT STAT+ | Katherine Szarama named acting director of FDA’s vaccines and biologics center It's not known if Szarama, formerly Vinay Prasad's deputy at the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, will be considered for the permanent position. By Lizzy Lawrence STAT+ | In her own words: Surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier expresses enthusiasm and caution for MAHA Examining the past statements and writings of Trump's third surgeon general nominee, Dr. Nicole Saphier, on vaccines, autism, peptides, diet and more. By Elizabeth Cooney, Helen Branswell, and Katie Palmer ‘Forever chemicals’ in baby formula? Scientists unpack FDA results FDA review confirmed overall safety of 16 brands of baby formula. In a STAT Q&A, experts unpack what low-level PFAS findings mean to worried moms. By Sarah Todd Matt Houston/AP Remembering J. Craig Venter: a relentless scientist who changed biotech — and was all too easily misunderstood Venter, who died Wednesday at age 79, is remembered by STAT columnist Matthew Herper as a brilliant scientist, innovator, and 'easy man to misunderstand.' By Matthew Herper Opinion: The psychedelic revolution is leaving behind people of color Psychedelics’ benefits for mental health, substance use, and more could particularly help racial minorities — if they can get access. By Jerel Ezell and Sugy Choi STAT+ | Her daughter Mila got a bespoke medicine. Now she’s starting a new biotech to make more Vitarello starts new company to scale personalized genetic therapies after closing EveryONE Medicines, partly because of FDA hurdles. By Andrew Joseph Lewis Hine/Library of Congress Opinion: America is worrying about fertility again. But it’s not really about families When fertility becomes a patriotic duty or an economic imperative, the line between support and pressure blurs quickly. By Sonya Borrero, Christine Dehlendorf, and Rachel Logan

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Daily Recap? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2026, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser