Senate Confirms Susan Monarez as Director of the CDC

(photo courtesy ARPA-H) On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 47 to confirm the nomination of Susan Monarez, PhD to be director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vote, along party lines, came three weeks after the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) decision on July 9 to advance the nomination to the full Senate.^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

Dr. Monarez, who holds a doctorate degree in microbiology and immunology, has been serving as acting director of the CDC since January. Prior to that, she served as deputy director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)—a governmental agency involved in funding emerging biomedical and health research. Her work focused on research to develop technologies to diagnose, treat and prevent infectious diseases.^{1 2 3 4 6}

Before entering government, Monarez was a science and technology policy fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.⁶

“She brings decades of distinguished experience in health innovation, disaster preparedness, global health, and biosecurity to the CDC,” read a CDC post on X.³

Monarez was named as the nominee for the top CDC post by the Trump administration in March.^{1 2}

Monarez Says She Will Think Independently and Rely on Evidence-Based Science

At her nomination hearing before the HELP committee on July 9, Monarez was grilled by Democratic members of the committee who were concerned that she might not be able to adequately stand up to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HSS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who would be her boss were she to get the top post at CDC. The implication was that she might not be independent enough to oppose Secretary Kennedy whenever she disagreed with his policies on controversial issues such as vaccines.^{3 4 5 6}

In response, Monarez diplomatically stated:

If I’m confirmed as CDC director, I look forward to having technical discussions with the secretary. He has said he values and prioritizes independent thinking and using science to drive decision making. I am an independent thinker, and I am a scientist, and I will welcome the opportunity to share my opinions based on science and evidence with him as he makes some of these very difficult decisions.⁵

She added:

I will implement tested, evidence-informed predefined protocols to avoid confusion and delays, and strengthen risk communication so the public receives timely, consistent guidance based on facts, not fear. These priorities support the President’s and the Secretary’s vision of a healthier America.⁴

“We really need her in this role,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health. “She’s a loyal, hardworking civil servant who leads with evidence and pragmatism, and has been dedicated to improving the health of Americans for the entirety of her career.”⁴

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