Podcast Gives Insight into NIH Leadership Views on the Future of Animal Models

By: Galen Cobb
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Jayanta “Jay” Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, was joined on his Director’s Desk podcast by Nicole Kleinstreuer, PhD, the Acting NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), for a discussion of “The Future of Animal Models.” Kleinstreuer cited her personal background and her professional work in the fields of computational biology and toxicology, as influential in shaping her perspective on animal models. Both acknowledged their lack of direct experience working with animals in their research careers. The conversation focused primarily on translational applications of research, with limited attention given to the role of animal models in basic science.

Throughout the interview-style podcast, Kleinstreuer criticized animal models and conveyed skepticism toward the value of their continued use. In discussing the challenges with advancing non-animal methodologies, Kleinstreuer expressed frustration with regulatory barriers and what she characterized as a cultural resistance to change within the research community. The discussion did not address the scientific and technological barriers that prevent many promising alternative methodologies from achieving scientific parity with established animal models.

The podcast recording can be accessed here.