Lowell
M.
Zeta,
J.D.
Leadership Role
Acting
Chief of Staff - Office of the Commissioner
Lowell M. Zeta, J.D., is the Acting Chief of Staff at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Mr. Zeta also serves as the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives and as Special Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC), the Food and Drug Division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of the General Counsel.
Mr. Zeta provides legal and strategic counsel to the FDA Commissioner and agency leadership to advance strategic regulatory initiatives, drive cross-agency innovation, and strengthen oversight across all FDA-regulated product areas. He leads a number of high-priority agency initiatives, including modernization of advanced and distributed manufacturing, transparency efforts, and innovation in FDA's investigation and inspection infrastructure and risk-prioritization strategies. Known for his deep experience in FDA regulatory law and pragmatic leadership style, Mr. Zeta brings together agency leadership, policymakers, counselors, and external stakeholders to navigate complex regulatory, compliance, and enforcement challenges.
Previously serving at the FDA from 2020-2021 as a Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, he provided leadership on key public health initiatives, including the Pandemic Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PREPP) initiative to strengthen the FDA's response to public health emergencies. Prior to returning to the Agency, Mr. Zeta was a senior partner at a global law firm in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Zeta is a frequent speaker and published writer on FDA and healthcare policy issues. He previously served as a Food and Drug Law Journal advisory board member. Mr. Zeta completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa and earned his juris doctor and postgraduate degree in law and health policy from Creighton University and Georgetown University.