Rena D’Souza, director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), has settled her lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will retire on January 31 after nine months of involuntary leave.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) placed D’Souza on paid administrative leave in April 2024 amid an investigation into workplace misconduct allegations. The probe followed two previous unpaid leave periods in 2023, leading D’Souza to sue HHS for discrimination based on race, sex, color, and national origin. The lawsuit and the HHS proceedings concluded last week with a confidential settlement agreement.
D’Souza, 70, was the first woman of color to direct an NIH institute. Appointed in 2020, she led NIDCR, which has an annual budget of approximately $520 million, and oversaw research in dental and craniofacial health. Her legal action against HHS stemmed from allegations that the leave placements were discriminatory, though NIH has not publicly disclosed details of the internal investigation.
D’Souza expressed gratitude for her tenure at NIDCR, stating, “I want to say what an honor and a privilege it was to serve NIDCR. I was so proud of all that was accomplished since 2020 with a team of outstanding executive leaders and staff.”
NIH acknowledged her contributions in an internal email, highlighting her work in craniofacial genetics and therapies for cleft palate. The executive director of the International Association for Dental Research also praised her “major contributions” to the field.
D’Souza’s departure raises questions about leadership transitions within NIH and the impact of internal investigations on senior officials. Her case also highlights broader concerns about workplace discrimination and accountability in federal institutions. As NIH navigates this leadership change, the resolution of her lawsuit may influence future workplace policies and oversight measures.
With D’Souza set to retire, NIH must ensure stability at NIDCR. The controversy underscores the importance of transparency in workplace investigations and equitable treatment in federal agencies. Moving forward, NIH’s handling of leadership disputes will likely shape internal governance and public trust in its research institutions.
The NIDCR is a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on advancing research in oral, dental, and craniofacial health.
The NIH is the primary government agency in the U.S. responsible for biomedical and public health research.
Administrative leave is a temporary leave of absence, often with pay, granted to employees during investigations or organizational transitions.