Biography

Jose Ruiz is the scientific initiative management officer (SIMO) in the Office of the Director within NCATS’ Division of Extramural Activities. He provides leadership and oversight across all phases of the initiative management process for the Center, including quality control of scientific and technical content, coordination of internal stakeholder review and approval, and management of related business processes and systems support. In addition, Ruiz serves as a liaison between NCATS and the NIH Center for Scientific Review, as well as the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, and interacts with other NIH Institutes and Centers as appropriate. Furthermore, as the primary NCATS Challenge manager, Ruiz ensures that NCATS prize competitions comply with requirements under the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act (America COMPETES Act) and guidance provided by NIH’s Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives within the Office of the Director.

Prior to joining NCATS, Ruiz gained a range of expertise and experience over the past two decades at NIH, where he served as the director of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts for more than three years, a scientific review officer at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a contracting officer’s representative and a program official at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and a science policy analyst at the National Institute of Nursing Research and in the Government Performance and Results Act Office.

Ruiz earned his Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and molecular biology from Boston University and his doctorate in genetics from The George Washington University.

Professional Interests

Ruiz is committed to applying his scientific and administrative expertise and experience to all phases of scientific initiative development, Challenge management and related SIMO duties in support of the NCATS mission. He also pursues self-directed training in topics ranging from leadership skills to computer programming and project management.