President-elect Joe Biden announced Friday that he will make the White House’s top scientific position a cabinet seat for the first time in U.S. history.
The big picture: Biden said he chose Eric Lander as his presidential scientific advisor and will appoint the geneticist as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Biden also announced other key members of his scientific team, including Francis Collins, who will continue to be director of the National Institutes of Health.
The White House scientific team includes:
- Lander, who will be appointed director of OSTP and will serve as presidential scientific advisor.
- Alosa Nelson, who will act as deputy director of science and society of the OSTP.
- Frances Arnold and Maria Zuber, who will serve as external co-chairs of the president’s Science and Technology Advisory Board.
- Collins, who will continue to lead the NIH.
- Kei Koizumi, who will serve as chief of staff of the OSTP.
- Narda Jones, who will serve as director of legislative affairs of the OSTP.
What it says: “Science will always be at the forefront of my administration, and these world-renowned scientists will ensure that everything we do is based on science, facts and truth,” Biden said in a statement.
- “Their confidence guidance will be essential as we come together to end this pandemic, reclaim our economy, and pursue new advances to improve the quality of life for all Americans.”