The newly created chief scientist position stems from the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007.
"Torti's impressive clinical and scientific credentials are an excellent match for the work we do on a daily basis to promote and protect the nation's health as a science-based and science-led agency," said von Eschenbach. "FDA's chief scientist will ensure that the foundation of the FDA's regulatory structure will always be state-of-the-art science."