President-elect Joe Biden on Friday nominated Eric Lander to be his science adviser and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy — and in addition elevated the position of science adviser so that it’ll have cupboard rank.
Lander is president and founding director of the Broad Institute at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In a speech introducing Lander, Biden outlined 5 priorities for science in his administration.
“First, the pandemic and what can we find out about what is feasible, or what ought to be attainable, to deal with the widest vary of our public well being wants?
“Second, the economic system, and the way can we construct again higher to guarantee prosperity is absolutely shared throughout America and amongst all Americans?
“Third, how can science assist us confront the local weather disaster with American jobs and ingenuity?
“Fourth, how can we make sure the United States leads the world within the applied sciences and industries of the longer term that shall be vital to our financial prosperity and nationwide safety, particularly as we compete with China and different nations?
“And fifth, how can we make sure the long-term well being and belief in science and know-how in our nation?”
Biden spoke of his respect for science.
“We’re on the cusp of some of probably the most exceptional breakthroughs that may essentially change our manner of life,” he stated. “We could make extra progress within the subsequent 10 years than we made within the final 50 years. But we additionally face some of probably the most dire crises in generations, the place science is vital to whether or not we meet this second of peril with the promise we all know that’s in attain.”
In addition, Biden introduced that Francis Collins will proceed in his position as director of the National Institutes of Health. He additionally named Alondra Nelson as OSTP deputy director for science and society. She is a professor on the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., and president of the Social Science Research Council.
And Biden appointed Frances Arnold and Maria Zuber because the exterior co-chairs of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Arnold is director of the Rosen Bioengineering Center at California Institute of Technology. Zuber oversees the Lincoln Laboratory at MIT and leads the establishment’s Climate Action Plan.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science praised Biden’s alternatives to a number of key science positions within the administration on Friday, notably his determination to create a place in his cupboard.
“Elevating this role to membership in the President’s Cabinet clearly signals the administration’s intent to involve scientific expertise in every policy discussion,” AAAS stated in a press release.
The creation of the cupboard place additionally drew reward from Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. President Peter McPherson stated in a press release, “In selecting these talented individuals, President-elect Biden recognizes that science is interwoven into all aspects of federal policy and critical to fueling economic growth and job creation.”
“Science will always be at the forefront of my administration — and these world-renowned scientists will ensure everything we do is grounded in science, facts, and the truth,” Biden stated in a press release. “Their trusted guidance will be essential as we come together to end this pandemic, bring our economy back, and pursue new breakthroughs to improve the quality of life of all Americans.”