Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
July 12, 2023 - At NHGRI, the scientific director leads the institute’s robust Intramural Research Program (IRP). Over its 30-year existence, the IRP has had four scientific directors: Jefferey Trent, Ph.D.; Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D.; Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D.; and Charles Rotimi, Ph.D., who is the current scientific director.
In their conversation, moderated by Office of Communications Director Sarah Bates, M.S., the four scientific directors discussed the history of the IRP, the important contributions of its researchers and administrators, the many hurdles and successes, and some fun stories along the way. Additionally, each scientific director reflected on how their leadership style contributed to shaping the IRP’s science and culture.
Learn more about the NHGRI Scientific Directors: genome.gov/history/conversation-with-4-scientific-directors
Chapters:
00:00 - Opening Theme Music
00:37 - Opening Remarks (Sarah Bates)
04:52 - How I joined NHGRI and became scientific director (Jeffrey Trent)
12:33 - My NHGRI recruitment story (Eric Green)
17:20 - What attracted me to the IRP (Eric Green)
21:35 - My NHGRI scientific director origin story (Dan Kastner)
33:04 - Picking up the baton from Dan Kastner (Charles Rotimi)
41:11 - Desired qualities I looked for in new hires (Jeffrey Trent)
46:18 - How Jeffrey Trent used NHGRI retreats to foster a collaborative culture (Eric Green)
49:32 - What we looked like when we were scientific directors (Eric Green)
50:59 - How the Human Genome Project helped rapidly grow the IRP (Eric Green)
52:10 - Achievements I am proud of during my tenure (Jeffrey Trent)
55:06 - How IRP's infrastructure was built (Eric Green)
01:00:21 - How I prepared for sequestration / budget cuts (Dan Kastner)
01:04:57 - Main challenges I face as the current scientific director (Charles Rotimi)
01:10:31 - Credits
Credits:
Moderator and Executive Producer:
Sarah Bates, M.S., M.A., Director, Office of Communications, NHGRI/NIH
Panelists:
Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., Scientific Director (1992-2002)
Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director (2002-2010)
Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director (2010-2021)
Charles Rotimi, Ph.D., Scientific Director (2021 - Present)
Associate Producers: Britny Kish, Zachary Utz
Cameramen: Alvaro Encinas, Ernesto del Aguila
Videographer: Alvaro Encinas
Graphics and Technical Support: Darryl Leja, Mukul Nerurkar
July 12, 2023 - At NHGRI, the scientific director leads the institute’s robust Intramural Research Program (IRP). Over its 30-year existence, the IRP has had four scientific directors: Jefferey Trent, Ph.D.; Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D.; Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D.; and Charles Rotimi, Ph.D., who is the current scientific director.
In their conversation, moderated by Office of Communications Director Sarah Bates, M.S., the four scientific directors discussed the history of the IRP, the important contributions of its researchers and administrators, the many hurdles and successes, and some fun stories along the way. Additionally, each scientific director reflected on how their leadership style contributed to shaping the IRP’s science and culture.
Learn more about the NHGRI Scientific Directors: genome.gov/history/conversation-with-4-scientific-directors
Chapters:
00:00 - Opening Theme Music
00:37 - Opening Remarks (Sarah Bates)
04:52 - How I joined NHGRI and became scientific director (Jeffrey Trent)
12:33 - My NHGRI recruitment story (Eric Green)
17:20 - What attracted me to the IRP (Eric Green)
21:35 - My NHGRI scientific director origin story (Dan Kastner)
33:04 - Picking up the baton from Dan Kastner (Charles Rotimi)
41:11 - Desired qualities I looked for in new hires (Jeffrey Trent)
46:18 - How Jeffrey Trent used NHGRI retreats to foster a collaborative culture (Eric Green)
49:32 - What we looked like when we were scientific directors (Eric Green)
50:59 - How the Human Genome Project helped rapidly grow the IRP (Eric Green)
52:10 - Achievements I am proud of during my tenure (Jeffrey Trent)
55:06 - How IRP's infrastructure was built (Eric Green)
01:00:21 - How I prepared for sequestration / budget cuts (Dan Kastner)
01:04:57 - Main challenges I face as the current scientific director (Charles Rotimi)
01:10:31 - Credits
Credits:
Moderator and Executive Producer:
Sarah Bates, M.S., M.A., Director, Office of Communications, NHGRI/NIH
Panelists:
Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., Scientific Director (1992-2002)
Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director (2002-2010)
Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director (2010-2021)
Charles Rotimi, Ph.D., Scientific Director (2021 - Present)
Associate Producers: Britny Kish, Zachary Utz
Cameramen: Alvaro Encinas, Ernesto del Aguila
Videographer: Alvaro Encinas
Graphics and Technical Support: Darryl Leja, Mukul Nerurkar
