ARLINGTON, Va. (Jan. 7, 2026) – Research!America, a nonprofit alliance that advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all, announced today the appointment of three individuals as Special Advisors to the organization. Special Advisors will provide counsel to Research!America, its Board of Directors, and the CEO.
The newly appointed Special Advisors, who will each serve a three-year term, are:
- Former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, (R-MO). Blunt served 12 years in the Senate and in the House of Representatives for 14 years. During his tenure in the Senate, Blunt was the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, where he championed investments in medical research, Alzheimer’s disease initiatives, and mental health. Sen. Blunt is Chairman of the Leadership Strategies Advisory Services group at HB Strategies and an Executive Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
- The Hon. Bart Gordon, (D-TN), former U.S. representative from Tennessee and former board member of Research!America. During his time in Congress, Gordon championed legislation supporting the nation’s science and technology and innovation ecosystem. He recently retired as partner at K&L Gates in Washington, D.C.
- Mark McClellan, M.D., PhD., former FDA Commissioner and former Research!America board member. McClellan is Director and Robert J. Margolis, M.D., Professor of Business, Medicine and Policy at the Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University. He served as the FDA commissioner and later administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid during the administration of President George W. Bush.
“Research!America’s new Special Advisors reflect our organization’s commitment to drawing upon extraordinary expertise and experience as we advance our advocacy for research in the U.S.,” said Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley. “These advisors will help us expand our capacity to think strategically, engage new audiences, and respond thoughtfully to emerging opportunities.”
“Research!America has always benefited from leaders who are deeply invested in our impact,” said Board Chair Sudip Parikh, Ph.D. “The Special Advisor role allows us to formally engage respected champions of our work in a flexible way that strengthens the organization while preserving the Board’s focus on governance.”
Contact Glenn O’Neal, Senior Director of Communications, at
571-482-2737 or [email protected] with press inquiries.
###
About Research!America
Research!America is a non-profit medical and health research advocacy alliance which advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. For over 30 years, Research!America has been commissioning surveys to help understand public support for medical, health, and scientific research, among other state, national, and global issues related to public health and research and innovation. Visit www.researchamerica.org.
 |
 |
 |
 |
