Dr. Vinay Prasad, a controversial critic of the US Food and Drug Administration who took a top role at the regulatory agency in May, has returned to his job weeks after resigning amid pressure from the White House and right-wing activist Laura Loomer.

WASHINGTON — Vinay Prasad is returning to the Food and Drug Administration to resume his role overseeing vaccine, gene therapy, and blood product regulation. “At the FDA’s request, Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,” Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon told STAT on Saturday.