FDA Chief Scientist Hinton Leaves Agency

After almost 20 years at FDA, chief scientist and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps rear admiral Denise Hinton has left the agency to serve as deputy Surgeon General under the Biden Administration. Hinton previously worked at CDER before transitions to the Office of Commissioner as chief scientist.

At CDER, Hinton served as deputy director of the Office of Medical Policy. There, she led the development, coordination, and implementation of medical policy programs and strategic initiatives, including the integration of rapidly evolving science and new technologies into the drug development and regulatory review processes.

Office of the Chief Scientist  deputy director Jackie O'Shaughnessy is serving as acting chief scientist while the agency conducts a formal search for Hinton’s replacement. O'Shaughnessy has been at the agency for 25 years and served in leadership roles in the Office of Medical Policy.