Dr. Jane M. Simoni will serve as the next Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. Dr. Simoni will start in this role on July 30, following the recent retirement of Dr. Christine Hunter back in May. FABBS looks forward to working with Dr. Simoni in her new role.
Dr. Simoni, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, joins the NIH from the University of Washington (UW). At UW, she serves as a Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology, where she has been a faculty member since 2001. Dr. Simoni’s research focuses on health disparities and resilience among marginalized populations, including those with HIV, chronic illnesses, Latinx, LGBT, and indigenous communities.
As the founding director of the UW Behavioral Research Center for HIV and co-director of the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research, Dr. Simoni has played a significant role in advancing the understanding of HIV-related issues. She also serves as the Associate Director of the Behavioral Science Core and Senior Advisor to the eHealth Scientific Working Group.
Dr. Simoni’s educational background includes a B.A. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Southern California and Columbia University. As a fellow in four divisions of the American Psychological Association, she has actively contributed to the field by reviewing grants and serving as chair for NIH study sections.
FABBS Comments on the NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan for 2026-2030