In a move to strengthen the position of science in the government, President Biden has selected geneticist Eric Lander to be science advisor for his new administration. President Biden also elevated the position to Cabinet rank. He has also chosen Maria Zuber (MIT) and alumna and Nobel Laureate and CalTech professor Frances Arnold (Ph.D. ’85, ChemE) to serve as co-chairs of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology. Arnold, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the recipient of numerous other honors, is a respected pioneer in the fields of protein and chemical engineering.

The council will advise the president on matters involving science, technology, education, and innovation policy. The council will also provide the president with scientific and technical information that is needed to inform public policy relating to the American economy, the American worker, national and homeland security, and other topics.

Arnold said of the appointment, “I want to work to preserve our fragile planet, build our economy and workforce for the future, and pass a better world to all Americans. I feel I can do this by supporting science and science-based decision-making in the Biden administration. I have great hope that we can put science back to work for the benefit of all.”