Shefa Gordon, Ph.D.
Shefa Gordon is Associate Director for Science Policy and Legislation at the National Eye Institute, NIH, where he directs the Office of Program Planning and Analysis (OPPA). He coordinates NEI reporting, planning and portfolio analysis activities. He led the development of the NEI Strategic Plan, Vision for the Future 2021-2025. OPPA is currently implementing the plan by coordinating with scientific divisions to create research initiatives across the seven Areas of Emphasis. OPPA is also developing a tool for tracking progress and identifying gaps. Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), a brain-based form of vision loss that is often misdiagnosed, was identified in the plan as an unmet research gap. Dr. Gordon leads a trans-NIH CVI working group that recently developed a new definition for CVI and is creating a patient registry as first steps towards addressing this condition.
During his time at OPPA, Dr. Gordon has helped the institute set strategic plans and priorities, analyzed the research portfolio for opportunities and gaps, responded to inquiries from Congress, and reported on NEI progress towards our goals through the Government Performance and Results Act. His office authors the annual Congressional Justification, which captures key NEI accomplishments, programs, and planned initiatives for inclusion in the President’s budget request. Dr. Gordon was also instrumental in developing the 2012 NEI Strategic Plan, which included a first-of-its-kind ideation prize competition and ultimately led to the Audacious Goals Initiative to restore vision through regeneration of neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system.
Dr. Gordon received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Rice University, where he has since served on the alumni board of directors, and is a local alumni leader conducting applicant interviews and developing alumni programs. He earned a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology/Neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied calcium dynamics in the neural control of flight power in fruit flies. He came to NIH on a Presidential Management Fellowship, working in the Office of Science Program and Policy analysis at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. There he conducted an evaluation of a major type 1 diabetes research program and developed the first NIH strategic plan for type 1 diabetes research. He also served as a legislative fellow on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, where he helped draft healthcare policy bills addressing payment parity for mental health and safety procedures for treating end-stage renal disease consistent with scientific evidence.