The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it has appointed George Tidmarsh, a seasoned biotech executive and longtime Stanford University professor, as the director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

George Tidmarsh appointed to lead FDA drug review division amid staffing cuts and scrutiny over accelerated approvals and drug advertising rules.

“Dr. Tidmarsh is an accomplished physician-scientist and leader whose experience spans the full arc of drug development — from bench to bedside,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement. “His appointment to lead CDER brings exceptional scientific, regulatory, and operational expertise to the agency.”