Biographical Sketch of Robert W. Eisinger, Ph.D.
Former Acting Director, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Robert W. Eisinger was named, effective July 1, 2022, as the Acting Director of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) in the Office of the Director, NIH. DPCPSI’s mission includes identifying emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, and scientific knowledge gaps that merit further research. The Division plans and implements NIH-wide initiatives supported by the Common Fund and coordinates activities and research related to AIDS, behavioral and social sciences, women's health, disease prevention, dietary supplements, sexual and gender minorities, tribal health, and research infrastructure, data science, and nutrition.
Dr. Eisinger has served in a number of leadership roles at the NIH including Senior Science Advisor to the DPCPSI Director, Special Assistant for Scientific Projects to the NIAID Director, and Acting NIH Associate Director for AIDS Research and Acting Director of the Office of AIDS Research (OAR). For 24 years prior to this, he served as the Director of Scientific and Program Operations and Therapeutics Research Coordinator in the OAR. His career at the NIH began as a Program Virologist in the NIAID Division of AIDS where he coordinated the 45 Virology Laboratories supporting the AIDS clinical trials networks. He also has served in the Department of State as the Director, Office of Research and Science, in the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC). At the OGAC, he was responsible for managing a portfolio of three large international combination HIV prevention clinical studies, a program of implementation science and impact evaluation projects, as well as the Scientific Advisory Board for OGAC. Before joining the NIH, Bob worked in the medical diagnostics industry successfully developing proprietary diagnostic immunoassay systems bringing these from the bench to clinical trials and through FDA licensure. His postdoctoral training on the immunochemistry of cell surface antigens associated with murine alveolar cell carcinomas was conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories in conjunction with the University of Tennessee. Dr. Eisinger received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from North Texas State University where his research focused on Cell Surface Antigens Present on AKR/J Leukemic Lymphocytes.