Today, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) announced the appointment of pediatric neurologist Annapurna Poduri, MD, MPH as Deputy Director. Dr. Poduri is currently Director of the Epilepsy Genetics and Neurogenetics Programs, Associate Chief for Academic Development in the Department of Neurology, and the Diamond Blackfan Chair of Neuroscience Research at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Poduri will join NINDS as the Deputy Director at the end of September. Dr. Poduri will continue her experimental science work within the intramural program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
“I am excited to announce Dr. Poduri’s appointment as NINDS Deputy Director following an extensive and competitive search for this position,” said Dr. Walter Koroshetz, NINDS Director. “Dr. Poduri’s research expertise, including basic, translational, and clinical work in pediatric neurological disorders and her extensive understanding of the importance of mentoring will help NINDS make progress towards achieving our mission.”
Dr. Poduri is a leader in the field of epilepsy genetics and her work has led to the discovery of several genes associated with epilepsy. Her pioneering work in the field of somatic mutation in neurodevelopmental disorders has advanced our understanding of the causes of epilepsy and related disorders. A focus of Dr. Poduri’s work has been to provide precision diagnoses and treatment using genome sequencing in children with epilepsy and their families. Further, Dr. Poduri has been the principal investigator on numerous NIH-supported grants.
Dr. Poduri currently serves as an elected member of the Board of the American Epilepsy Society. She was also an invited member of the Genomics Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy, Chair of the American Epilepsy Society/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Benchmarks Stewards Committee, and a member of the NINDS NST1 study section. Dr. Poduri has served on scientific advisory boards for companies and foundations devoted to developing precision medicine and targeted treatments for patients with epilepsy.
Dr. Poduri has received many honors, including the American Neurological Association’s Derek Denny-Brown Young Neurological Scholar Award, the American Academy of Neurology’s Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award, and the Harvard Club of Boston’s Most Influential Women designation.
“I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Amy Adams, who has served as Acting Deputy Director since 2022,” said Dr. Koroshetz. “She exhibited tremendous professionalism, compassion, and dedication during her tenure as Acting Deputy Director. Dr. Adams will continue to apply her impressive skillset to NINDS’s critical work in her role as Deputy Director for Scientific Management and Operations.”