Tara Schwetz
About Tara Schwetz
Tara Schwetz serves as the Acting Principal Deputy Director at the National Institutes of Health, a position she has held since 2021. With a strong background in health science policy and strategic planning, she has previously worked in various roles at NIH and other institutions, contributing to significant initiatives in biomedical science and policy.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Tara Schwetz has held multiple positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), currently serving as the Acting Principal Deputy Director since 2021. She has been involved in various capacities, including Associate Deputy Director since 2019, and has also served as Interim Associate Program Director and Senior Advisor to the Principal Deputy Director. Her work at NIH spans over several years, contributing to strategic planning and policy development within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Tara Schwetz earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences (Biophysics) from the University of South Florida, where she studied from 2005 to 2009. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Honors from Florida State University, completed between 2001 and 2005. Her academic background supports her expertise in health science policy analysis and biomedical research.
Background
Prior to her current role, Tara Schwetz gained experience in various organizations. She served as a Health Science Policy Analyst at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and worked as a Branch Manager at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Additionally, she participated in the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, focusing on pain policy at NIH/NINDS.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Tara Schwetz has contributed to significant initiatives in health science policy. She played a key role in strategic planning and evaluation at NIAID and has been involved in various leadership capacities at NIH. Her experience as a teaching assistant in quantitative fluorescence microscopy at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory highlights her commitment to education and research in the biomedical field.