Division of Intramural Research header.

Office of the Scientific Director (OSD)

OSDChristopher McBain, Ph.D., is the scientific director of the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) at NICHD. Dr. McBain assumed this role in January 2023 after serving as the acting director since June 2021.

In this position, Dr. McBain oversees more than 60 research programs of more than 60 scientific investigators and more than 250 trainees. He also leads his own lab on cellular and synaptic physiology.

DIR's objective is to conduct research that helps ensure the birth of healthy infants, improves the health of infants and children as they develop into adulthood, and optimizes the health of women. Research in the DIR focuses on acquiring knowledge, using a wide range of technologies and model systems, to enhance the understanding of the full range of human development and reproduction. DIR is credited with scientific advances in many areas, from vaccines to molecular imaging.

The DIR Office of the Scientific Director offers the following Core Facilities as resources to its investigators:

The Management section of the Office of the Scientific Director includes the Office of Education, the Administrative Management Branch, the Office of the Clinical Director, and the Research Animal Management Branch.


Highlights

Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2022

Annual Report of the DIR: Describes DIR investigators' activities and progress for the previous year

DIR-Related NICHD News: Provides explanations of recent findings from DIR scientists

top of pageBACK TO TOP