US Public-Health Official Fired Amid Debate Over Evidence-Based Policy

Breaking News: Natures 10 Recognizes Pioneers in Science US public-health official Susan Monarez has been fired after a month on the job, sparking widespread debate over the role of evidence-based policy in public health. Monarez, the former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was let go on November 15, 2025, amidst a contentious period in US public health policy. Monarez's tenure was marked by a series of high-profile disagreements with the US government, particularly over the handling of infectious disease outbreaks. The exact reasons for her dismissal remain unclear, but sources close to the CDC suggest that Monarez's commitment to evidence-based policy was a major factor. Her departure has been met with both praise and criticism from within the scientific community. The immediate impact of Monarez's firing has been felt across the US public health sector, with many experts expressing concern over the potential consequences for disease prevention and control. In response, the CDC has announced a series of measures aimed at ensuring the continuity of critical public health programs. In other notable recognitions, Natures 10 has also honored Achal Agrawal, a scientist who has been instrumental in highlighting the issue of retraction rates in Indian universities. Agrawal's work has shed light on the prevalence of scientific misconduct in India, sparking a national conversation on the importance of academic integrity. Meanwhile, physicist Tony Tyson has been recognized for his pioneering work on the development of advanced telescopes. Tyson's vision for a new generation of telescopes has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, and his contributions to the field have been hailed as groundbreaking. Natures 10 is an annual list compiled by the editors of Nature to recognize the most influential scientists and researchers of the year. This year's selection acknowledges the work of scientists who have pushed the boundaries of human knowledge in fields ranging from astrophysics to oceanography. As the scientific community continues to grapple with the implications of Monarez's firing, one thing is clear: the work of these pioneers will have a lasting impact on our understanding of the world and our place within it.