Robert C. Walker, Jr., Ph.D.

Dr. Robert C. Walker, Jr., is a Senior Advisor to the NIAMS Director. Dr. Walker provides expert leadership and direction for the institute in the areas of health disparities research, and community engagement within the biomedical sciences. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of research, research capacity building, training, and career development programs to support the scientific mission of NIAMS. His efforts are aimed at broadening and increasing scientific opportunities in biomedical sciences. Dr. Walker also advises on the establishment of scientific goals and ensures parity is considered in the development, funding, administration of grant awards, and implementation of complex cooperative agreements among all divisions in NIAMS.

Previously, Dr. Walker served as the Director of the Office for Scientific Operations in the NIAMS Intramural Research Program (IRP) for over a decade. In this role, he managed the NIAMS IRP Technology Transfer portfolio, facilitating partnerships between government, universities, and industry to develop patents, licensing agreements, and the commercialization of biomedical innovation. His leadership helped bridge the gap between scientific discovery and industry application, fostering innovation and translational research. In addition, Dr. Walker’s responsibilities included leading an office to direct initiatives to support career and professional development for the NIAMS Intramural Research Training Award trainee community. His efforts were instrumental in nurturing the next generation of independent biomedical scientists by providing them with the tools and resources needed for successful careers in biomedical research.

Before joining NIAMS in 2013, Dr. Walker completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, MD, studying the pathogenesis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1). He then subsequently completed a second fellowship in the NIAID Office of Technology Transfer. Dr. Walker earned his Ph.D. at Meharry Medical College, and his B.S. in Biology from Rust College. He’s held adjunct professor and guest lecturer positions at the University of Maryland, Howard University, Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Throughout his multifaceted career, Dr. Walker has made significant contributions to advancing the scientific mission while championing innovation in the biomedical sciences.