Hazra Named NICHD Division Director

Dr. Rohan Hazra has been appointed director of the NICHD Division of Extramural Research. He had been serving as the acting director of DER since February 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic began. During this challenging time, he excelled at keeping NICHD’s extramural program focused and productive. 

“Dr. Hazra brings a wealth of experience as a researcher, clinical trialist and science administrator to his role as DER director,” said NICHD director Dr. Diana Bianchi. “I am confident that his leadership will help us continue and even accelerate progress toward our institute’s scientific and public health goals.”

Prior to being appointed DER acting director, Hazra was chief of DER’s Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch. In this role, he provided scientific leadership for domestic and international research, research training and career development programs related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, transmission, treatment and prevention of HIV and other selected pathogens in infants, children, adolescents and pregnant people.

DER staff develop, implement and coordinate multidisciplinary research activities to advance NICHD’s mission of understanding human development, improving reproductive health, enhancing the lives of children and adolescents and optimizing abilities for all. The division’s portfolio encompasses biological, behavioral and clinical research related to conception and pregnancy, normal and abnormal development in childhood, reproductive health and population dynamics across the lifespan. 

Hazra’s research interests include studying the long-term impact of HIV and its treatment on children, adolescents and young adults with perinatally acquired HIV. He also is involved in clinical trials evaluating new antiretroviral medications and treatment strategies for children with HIV, especially those living in resource-limited countries.

Hazra received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University and his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed a pediatric residency and pediatric infectious disease fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Boston. 

Prior to joining NICHD in 2007, he conducted clinical studies in pediatric HIV in the NCI’s intramural program. Hazra is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases.