Silver Spring, MD—Following the proposed reorganization of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more change is coming: FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., announced on X (formerly Twitter): "So thrilled to share that Dr. Namandjé Bumpus, our amazing Chief Scientist, will become @US_FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner when @DrWoodcockFDA retires early next year."
Janet Woodcock, M.D., has been with the FDA since 1986. She joined the agency as a scientist and over the decades held various positions, including serving as Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs, where she led the agency’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency; with the confirmation of Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf in 2022, Dr. Woodcock became the Principal Deputy Commissioner of FDA, and will retire in 2024.
About FDA's Dr. Bumpus
Dr. Namandjé N. Bumpus joined FDA as Chief Scientist in June 2022. Prior to joining FDA, Dr. Bumpus was the E.K. Marshall and Thomas H. Maren Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research, according to FDA, has focused on drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics, bioanalytical chemistry, and infectious disease pharmacology.
Dr. Califf also posted: "A powerhouse scientist and leader, @DrBumpusFDA will continue to advance the agency’s critical public health initiatives using cutting-edge regulatory science as a North Star." He added that while it is hard to step into a role "held by a legendary leader," he is confident in Dr. Bumpus.
As WholeFoods Magazine has reported, in August 2023 James "Jim" Jones was named to the post of FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. The new executive position will lead the charge in setting and advancing priorities for a proposed unified Human Foods Program (HFP). Program areas include food safety, chemical safety, and innovative food products. Based on a proposed reorganization chart released earlier this year by FDA, Jones is expected to oversee 12 offices and one center, including the newly proposed Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements & Innovation.
