Dr. Steven Schiff is a U.S.-based physician-scientist whose career has combined pediatric neurosurgery, infectious disease research, engineering and global health. Based at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Schiff has spent decades investigating neurological disorders in children and developing innovative approaches to medical problems that affect vulnerable populations around the world.
Schiff is the Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neurosurgery at Yale, where he also serves as vice chair for global health in the Department of Neurosurgery. His academic work extends beyond medicine, with appointments in epidemiology and electrical and computer engineering. This multidisciplinary background reflects his interest in combining medicine, technology and scientific research to solve difficult healthcare challenges.
One of the most significant developments in Schiff’s career came in June 2026, when the National Institutes of Health selected him as the new Director of the Fogarty International Center and NIH Associate Director for International Research. He began the position on June 4, 2026. The Fogarty International Center works to advance global health research and strengthen research capacity internationally.
Schiff brings nearly four decades of experience in global health, epidemiology of microbial diseases and pediatric neurological disorders to the NIH leadership role. His appointment gives him an opportunity to help shape research programs addressing health challenges that extend across national borders.
A major part of Schiff’s scientific career has involved understanding infections and neurological conditions that can have devastating effects on children. His research has explored how infectious diseases interact with the developing brain and how technology can be used to better understand and treat neurological disorders.
His work also illustrates the increasingly important connection between medicine and engineering. By combining neurosurgery with electrical and computer engineering, Schiff has explored technological approaches to complex medical problems. This type of interdisciplinary research is particularly valuable as modern medicine increasingly relies on advanced imaging, sensors, computational modeling and other technologies.
At Yale, Schiff has also been involved in global health research and education. His career demonstrates that medical innovation does not always mean developing a new drug or surgical procedure. Improving how researchers understand diseases, strengthening healthcare systems and developing scientific expertise in underserved areas can also have a lasting impact.
His new NIH position provides an opportunity to apply that experience on an even broader scale. As Fogarty director, Schiff is positioned to support collaborations between U.S. researchers and scientists around the world, helping advance research into infectious diseases, neurological disorders and other international health challenges.
Dr. Schiff’s career is notable because it bridges several areas that are often treated separately: patient care, scientific research, engineering and global health. His work as a pediatric neurosurgeon has given him direct experience with complex neurological conditions, while his research and academic leadership have allowed him to address healthcare challenges from a broader perspective.
