Dr. Heidi Overton is currently working as a White House policy aide. If confirmed, she would lead an agency of 18,000 staffers who study and regulate food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco and more.

Follow the latest news on the major headlines of the day.

Heidi Overton, MD, PhD, has been nominated to lead the FDA.The pick from President Donald J. Trump comes months after Martin Makary, MD, resigned from the position in May.

If confirmed, she would have to balance a raft of competing priorities