Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., was appointed Director of NIAID in 1984. He oversees an extensive research portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose, and treat established infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis and malaria as well as emerging diseases such as Ebola and Zika. Contributed Photo / NIAID The nationâs fight against COVID-19 brought Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, back into the public arena. Dr. Fauci has been at the forefront of the United Stateâs battle against COVID-19 since the virus arrived last winter, and since then, a new generation has quickly become familiar with the man previously known for his work during the AIDS epidemic.Â