President Donald Trump has nominated Susan Monarez as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she has been serving as the acting director.

Monarez, who holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin and has postdoctoral training from Stanford University, is recognized as a biosecurity expert.

The CDC is currently facing significant challenges, including potential federal budget cuts and public dissatisfaction with its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under Monarez's leadership, the CDC will also address an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and two other states, which has resulted in fatalities.

As acting director, Monarez implemented controversial White House directives to remove content related to gender ideology from the CDC's website.

If confirmed by the Senate, Monarez would be the first nonphysician to lead the CDC in over 50 years, a process that will now require Senate approval.

Public health experts have expressed support for Monarez, highlighting her respect for scientific decision-making and experience in managing complex health programs.

Monarez's nomination comes after the withdrawal of David Weldon, Trump's initial choice for CDC director, who faced opposition due to his anti-vaccine stance.

However, some current and former CDC employees have raised concerns about her leadership style, citing a lack of communication and visibility since her appointment.

Trump has emphasized the need to restore public confidence in the CDC, attributing its decline to political bias and mismanagement in previous leadership.

The announcement of Monarez's nomination was made during a White House press briefing on March 25, 2025.

As of now, a date for Monarez's Senate confirmation hearing has yet to be established, leaving her nomination pending.