• Home
• About
  • Background
  • Faculty
  • Partners
• Programs
  • Scholarly Service
• Publications
  • Journal of Health Communications
  • CGH Newsletter
• News and Events
• Contact Us

Rajiv Shah nominated to be the next administrator of USAID

Souce: The Global Health Council

Washington, DC -- The White House today announced that President Barack Obama has nominated Dr. Rajiv Shah - currently under secretary for research, education and economics and chief scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - to be the new administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Obama said that Shah "brings fresh ideas and the dedication and impressive background necessary to help guide USAID." Alonzo Fulgham has served as acting administrator of USAID since President Obama was sworn into office in January.

"We welcome President Obama's nomination of Dr. Rajiv Shah to become USAID administrator," said Jeffrey L. Sturchio, president and CEO of the Global Health Council. "Dr. Shah's background and experience will bring innovative perspectives to the vital work of USAID, which plays a leadership role in global health and development. We urge the Senate to begin the confirmation process expeditiously and look forward to working with Dr. Shah in his new role."

According to the White House, Shah also leads the USDA's participation in the Obama administration's global food security initiative. During his tenure at USDA, Shah launched the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) - which aims to elevate and enhance the capacity of agricultural research to address sustainable food production, climate change, bioenergy and human nutrition. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Dr. Shah served as the director for agricultural development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Read the White House release on the nomination

Read Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks on the Nomination

Back to News and Events