U.S. Senator Katie Britt Welcomes NIH Director Bhattacharya to UAB
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) welcomed National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Bhattacharya delivered a special presentation at the UAB Hill Student Center and Senator Britt delivered remarks.
Dr. Bhattacharya and Senator Britt / Photo: Jennifer Alsabrook-Turner
Excerpts from Senator Britt’s remarks are below, and her full remarks can be viewed here.
Senator Britt noted, “from the very moment that I had the opportunity to meet (HHS) Secretary Kennedy, to meet Dr. Bhattacharya throughout the confirmation process, I made sure that the importance of NIH and the incredible work that’s done here at UAB was front and center. I am so proud of what you do here … It is my belief that we have to continue lifesaving, life-changing research. We have to be focused on finding cures.
“In a place like Alabama where [Dr. Bhattacharya] just noted chronic disease and so many of the life-threatening diseases and illnesses and challenges that we see across the country disproportionately affect our state, the clinical trials that are done here, the research that is done here, the proximity to the issue makes a difference. It has been an honor to tell your story to the highest levels here in the United States …
“[President Trump] is committed to finding cures, he is committed to seeing life-changing, lifesaving research continue and Alabama lead the way and America lead in innovation. This is where we want it to occur. You have a champion in me,” the Senator continued.
UAB President Watts, Dr. Bhattacharya, and Dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, Dr. Anupam Agarwal / Photo: Jennifer Alsabrook-Turner
Prior to Senator Britt’s remarks, Dr. Watts thanked Senator Britt, speaking to her exceptional leadership across the nation for her support of UAB and her commitment to NIH-funded research:“Senator Britt, thank you for [inviting Dr. Bhattacharya] and for being here today. I want you all to know that Senator Britt has continued to champion … biomedical research. This spring, she welcomed O’Neal Cancer Center Director Barry Sleckman to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee. At another hearing, she (questioned) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy (to) discuss UAB as an institution carrying out federal research responsibly, of which we’re very proud.
“Senator Britt also courageously led Senate colleagues in sending an effective letter to the Office of Management and Budget in support of critical research funding. And she has also spoken directly to President Trump about NIH-funded research and secured his commitment to continuing the pursuit if cures…. She’s been recognized by a range of national organizations now for her leadership, and her presence here today in support of Dr. B and UAB is so important to us … (there is) no greater champion in the country for federal research funding and for saving lives than Senator Britt,” Dr. Watts continued.
Senator Britt and Dr. Bhattacharya also took a construction site tour of the UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building with UAB Deans and Senior Research Leadership. The building, which began construction last fall, will house research faculty from the Heersink School of Medicine and the Department of Psychology.
Photo: Andrea Mabry
Photo: Andrea Mabry
Photo: Andrea Mabry
As Dr. Watts mentioned in his remarks, Senator Britt, who has been a champion for continued NIH funding, led 13 of her Senate Republican colleagues in calling for implementation of the FY25 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, signed into law earlier this year by President Trump, which contains critical funding to support NIH initiatives across research areas, including cancer. The next day, funds were released and Senator Britt received praise from The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Association of American Cancer Institutes, and United for Medical Research, among several other entities.
Senator Britt’s visit also comes after advancing $28.63 million she directly secured for Alabama out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Photos from the event are available to download here.
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