Heidi Overton Eyes FDA Leadership | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 19, 2026 · 1m

Heidi Overton, a medical doctor and PhD holder with ties to conservative policy groups, is poised to lead the FDA — a role made urgent by the agency’s leadership vacuum since May. She was present when Trump signed an executive order splitting the MMR vaccine into three shots, a move that contradicts mainstream vaccine science. Tensions may arise with HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., especially over food pyramid revisions and the peptide market. With ongoing outbreaks, recalls, and chronic staff shortages flagged by the GAO, Overton inherits a beleaguered agency facing immense pressure to…