Biography

Annica M. Wayman, Ph.D., M.S., is the deputy director in the Office of the Director at NCATS. She works with the NCATS director and has a key role in implementing the center’s strategic plan. Wayman manages day-to-day operations of the office. She also supervises the Division of Extramural Activities; Office of Policy, Communications and Education; Office of Special Initiatives; and several special scientific programs and activities.

Before joining NCATS, Wayman was associate dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She directed the translational life science technology undergraduate degree program; the professional studies in biotechnology graduate degree program; and nondegree, lab-based biotechnology training courses. Before her tenure at UMBC, Wayman worked at the United States Agency for International Development. Her team focused on policies and programs in science for use in international development. One program was the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program. The PEER program is a 10-year, $100 million program that funded more than 400 researchers across more than 57 countries. Wayman also worked at BD, where she served in research and development engineering roles. Her activities ranged from advanced technology development to new product development for BD’s anesthesia platform.

Wayman has a Ph.D. and an M.S. in mechanical engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She also has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from UMBC.

Research Topics

Wayman’s research interests include understanding and making it easier to turn research into solutions that improve health. She is especially interested in processes for new health interventions. Wayman has studied the mechanokinetics of selectin-mediated adhesion, which is key to inflammatory response, cancer metastasis and fetal development. She also is interested in interventions, such as mentorship, that improve the retention of underrepresented individuals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.