Robert F. Murphy, director of the Ray and Stephanie Lane Center for Computational Biology, has been appointed to the National Institutes of Health Council of Councils.

The Council of Councils advises the NIH Director on policies and activities of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). These include making recommendations on research that represents important areas of emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, or knowledge gaps that deserve special emphasis or would otherwise benefit from strategic planning and coordination.

The 27 members of the council are nominated by the NIH Institutes and Centers and from the Council of Public Representatives. Murphy, one of seven new members announced by the NIH, was nominated by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. His term extends until Oct. 31, 2014. A full roster of members and other information is available on the council's website.