Dr. Nirav Shah, Running For Governor, Named To List Of Nation’s Visionary Leaders

India-West News Desk

BRUNSWICK, ME- Public health expert Dr.Nirav Shah, former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has been named to The Washington Post’s Post Next 50, a list highlighting individuals expected to shape American public life in the year ahead.

The annual list recognizes leaders across health, science, public service, business, and culture whose work is influencing national conversations. Shah is the only individual from Maine to be included this year.

The Post Next 50 is curated by journalists across the newsroom from hundreds of candidates, focusing on people whose impact is expected to be significant in the coming year.

This year’s honorees include New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, and biochemist David Liu, placing Shah among prominent national figures from politics, science, and public service.

Shah rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he led Maine’s public health response as CDC director. His approach, marked by data-driven decision-making and clear public communication, drew attention beyond the state. Following his tenure in Maine, Shah was appointed by the Biden administration as Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he worked on national public health strategy and preparedness.

Reacting to the recognition, Shah credited the people he served. “This recognition really belongs to the people of Maine,” he said in a statement, noting the role of public trust, community cooperation, and frontline health workers during the pandemic.

The acknowledgment comes as Shah remains active in public life in Maine. He is currently campaigning for governor and, according to his campaign, leads the Democratic primary field in public and internal polling, has qualified for the ballot, and has launched a statewide volunteer organizing effort.