Arati Prabhakar nominated as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

[Laura Bies]

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President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Arati Prabhakar as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). She would also serve as the president’s top science advisor. Biden has made the science adviser role a Cabinet-level position.

Prabhakar has a Ph.D. in applied physics from the California Institute of Technology, and previously served as both the head of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency during the Obama administration and as the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under President Clinton.

The OSTP advises the President and other members of the executive on science issues, plays a role in coordinating scientific research across federal agencies, and leads initiatives on issues such as scientific integrity.

Prabhakar would fill a position vacated by former OSTP Director Dr. Eric Lander, who resigned in February 2022, after reports of a toxic work environment. If she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Prabhakar would be the first woman and first person of color to be permanent OSTP director.

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