WASHINGTON — Tracy Beth Høeg, a top lieutenant to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, will be the next leader of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, according to an announcement from the FDA.

“CDER plays a crucial role in ensuring the medicines we rely on are both safe and effective,” Høeg said in a statement. “This is an incredible opportunity to serve my fellow Americans.”

Høeg’s appointment as the agency’s top drug regulator comes after CDER Director Richard Pazdur filed paperwork to retire at the end of the month. Pazdur accepted the role less than a month ago at the urging of Makary. Høeg will be the fifth person to lead the center this year.