Mandy Fretts PhD, MPH, was recently appointed to the NHLBI Advisory Council for a 4 year term. As part of this role, Dr. Fretts will work with the other 17 members of council to make recommendations to the NHLBI on program planning and policy for the future direction of scientific research. This will entail reviewing NHLBI objectives, priorities, and accomplishments with respect to responsiveness to public health needs. Council members also review initiative concepts, which, once approved, become Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). As a member of council, Dr. Fretts will also provide a second-level of grant review. Dr. Fretts is excited to represent population science and epidemiology in this role.