Jeanne Marrazzo education and career path: How a Harvard biology graduate became America's top infectious disease expert
Dr Jeanne Marrazzo , former director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was recently dismissed from her position by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following a whistleblower complaint related to research grant cancellations. Her firing marks a sudden end to a long and influential career in infectious disease research and public health leadership.
Marrazzo had been placed on administrative leave in March during federal mass layoffs and offered a position at the Indian Health Service before her termination letter was delivered in late September. Her dismissal has drawn attention to the career of a physician-scientist who rose to the highest ranks of infectious disease expertise in the US.
Early life and academic foundation
Born and raised in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, Jeanne Marisa Marrazzo’s path into medicine was inspired by her mother, a nurse and role model. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College, Harvard University’s former coordinate college for women, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. She then obtained her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.
Following medical school, Marrazzo completed residency training and chief residency in internal medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital. It was during this time, in the late 1980s, that she encountered the height of the HIV epidemic, influencing her focus on infectious diseases.
Career beginnings and academic contributions
In 1995, Marrazzo joined the faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Here, she co-founded the Lesbian/Bisexual Women’s Health Study with nurse practitioner Kathleen Stine, to investigate the prevalence and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among lesbian and bisexual women. This research challenged existing assumptions and led to important findings on human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission.
Her work in bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other sexually transmitted infections earned her recognition. Notably, a 2005 study co-authored by Marrazzo detailed the molecular identification of bacteria associated with BV, expanding scientific understanding of the syndrome’s complexity.
Leadership in infectious disease research and HIV prevention
Marrazzo’s career progressed as she became director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She led the NIH-funded VOICE Study, a major trial involving over 5,700 women across sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the study’s unexpected outcome showing no efficacy of oral and vaginal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) due to low adherence, the research highlighted the need for better adherence biomarkers and behavioural understanding.
Her expertise led to appointments such as chairing the American Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Disease Specialty Board and serving on the Infectious Diseases Society of America board of directors. She also received the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association’s Distinguished Career Award, recognising her contributions to research and mentorship.
Director of NIAID and recent developments
In October 2023, Marrazzo was named the sixth director of NIAID, overseeing a $6.6 billion budget to support research into infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. Her tenure included efforts to enhance training grants and expand research on HIV prevention, the human microbiome, and antibiotic resistance.
Marrazzo emphasised transparent communication in public health, acknowledging uncertainties and listening to communities' concerns about vaccines and treatments.
Her dismissal in September 2025, following a whistleblower complaint over research grant cancellations, was confirmed in a letter from Secretary Kennedy. Prior to this, she had been placed on administrative leave and offered reassignment within the Indian Health Service.
Marrazzo’s career spans decades of interdisciplinary research, clinical leadership, and public health advocacy. Her education at Harvard, Jefferson Medical College, and Yale set the stage for a trajectory that shaped America’s approach to infectious diseases, particularly in women’s health and HIV prevention.
Marrazzo had been placed on administrative leave in March during federal mass layoffs and offered a position at the Indian Health Service before her termination letter was delivered in late September. Her dismissal has drawn attention to the career of a physician-scientist who rose to the highest ranks of infectious disease expertise in the US.
Early life and academic foundation
Born and raised in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, Jeanne Marisa Marrazzo’s path into medicine was inspired by her mother, a nurse and role model. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College, Harvard University’s former coordinate college for women, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. She then obtained her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.
Following medical school, Marrazzo completed residency training and chief residency in internal medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital. It was during this time, in the late 1980s, that she encountered the height of the HIV epidemic, influencing her focus on infectious diseases.
Career beginnings and academic contributions
In 1995, Marrazzo joined the faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Here, she co-founded the Lesbian/Bisexual Women’s Health Study with nurse practitioner Kathleen Stine, to investigate the prevalence and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among lesbian and bisexual women. This research challenged existing assumptions and led to important findings on human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission.
Her work in bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other sexually transmitted infections earned her recognition. Notably, a 2005 study co-authored by Marrazzo detailed the molecular identification of bacteria associated with BV, expanding scientific understanding of the syndrome’s complexity.
Leadership in infectious disease research and HIV prevention
Marrazzo’s career progressed as she became director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She led the NIH-funded VOICE Study, a major trial involving over 5,700 women across sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the study’s unexpected outcome showing no efficacy of oral and vaginal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) due to low adherence, the research highlighted the need for better adherence biomarkers and behavioural understanding.
Her expertise led to appointments such as chairing the American Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Disease Specialty Board and serving on the Infectious Diseases Society of America board of directors. She also received the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association’s Distinguished Career Award, recognising her contributions to research and mentorship.
Director of NIAID and recent developments
In October 2023, Marrazzo was named the sixth director of NIAID, overseeing a $6.6 billion budget to support research into infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. Her tenure included efforts to enhance training grants and expand research on HIV prevention, the human microbiome, and antibiotic resistance.
Marrazzo emphasised transparent communication in public health, acknowledging uncertainties and listening to communities' concerns about vaccines and treatments.
Her dismissal in September 2025, following a whistleblower complaint over research grant cancellations, was confirmed in a letter from Secretary Kennedy. Prior to this, she had been placed on administrative leave and offered reassignment within the Indian Health Service.
Marrazzo’s career spans decades of interdisciplinary research, clinical leadership, and public health advocacy. Her education at Harvard, Jefferson Medical College, and Yale set the stage for a trajectory that shaped America’s approach to infectious diseases, particularly in women’s health and HIV prevention.
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