NIAMS is saddened to share the news that Paul Plotz, M.D., who dedicated nearly four decades of service to science at the NIH, passed away on January 13, 2024, at the age of 86 after a long illness. Dr. Plotz was a world-renowned rheumatologist, immunologist, and researcher known internationally as an expert in myositis, an inflammatory muscle disease and rare autoimmune condition. He retired from NIH in 2011 after serving in a variety of leadership roles, including as chief of the NIAMS Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch, as well as acting scientific director and acting deputy director. He also was senior

Dr. Lindsey A. Criswell, Director of NIAMS, recently spoke at the 2023 annual meeting of the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) program. The BIRCWH program, which is led by the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, provides career development training opportunities by connecting junior faculty with senior faculty who have a shared interest in women’s health and sex differences research. BIRCWH is co-sponsored by NIAMS. Dr. Criswell delivered the Legacy of Leadership lecture where she discussed her career trajectory, and the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and work-life balance. She also talked about some of the different