Vinay Prasad is a renowned hematologist-oncologist with a distinguished career in medicine and public health. Born in the United States to immigrant parents, he grew up in Ohio and Chicago. Prasad holds degrees from Michigan State University (philosophy and physiology) and the University of Chicago (medical degree), and he received a master's in public health from Johns Hopkins University[5][8]. He is currently a Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he leads the VKPrasad lab, focusing on cancer drugs, health policy, and clinical trials[3][7]. Dr. Prasad is known for his critical perspective on medical practices and policies. He has been vocal about issues in cancer treatment, such as the high cost and limited effectiveness of some cancer drugs[6]. Additionally, he has been a prominent critic of the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, questioning measures like mask mandates and COVID booster shots[2][4]. Recently, Dr. Prasad was appointed as the Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), succeeding Dr. Peter Marks[2][4]. In this role, he oversees the regulation of vaccines and biologics, including gene therapies. His appointment comes as the FDA is shifting towards requiring placebo-controlled trials for future vaccines[4]. Dr. Prasad's leadership role at the FDA has been recognized for its potential impact on public health policy and vaccine development[2][4]. He is also the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at the FDA, advising on cross-cutting medical and scientific issues[1]. Dr. Prasad is a prolific writer and communicator, with over 500 academic articles and several books, including "Ending Medical Reversal" and "Malignant"[3]. He engages with the public through social media and podcasts, further cementing his influence in the medical community[3][6].