New science advisor named

ASEE Prism, Sep 2001

Many people in the science and engineering community know that John H. Marburger III, President Bush's nominee for science advisor, has led the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory since 1998. Some know that the Princeton grad received a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University and was president of the State University of New York at Stony Brook for fourteen years.What most people don't know, however, is that Marburger taught engineering at the University of Southern California in the 1970s.

Marburger, 60, was first a faculty member in physics and electrical engineering at USC, and then became the chair of physics and later the dean of sciences. He headed a very active research program in lasers and in the nonlinear effects in materials using high-powered lasers. Marburger did some of the original work in bi-stable photonic devices, and these techniques are now used in photonic switches. In addition, he was the lead investigator on some of the large research programs that involved scientific issues of the early ballistic missile defense system program.

Somewhat ironically, the real role of the science advisor in the past has not been to advise the president, but rather to communicate the president's views to the scientific community. One of Marburger's first tasks as science advisor will be to review the nation's energy policy. He will face issues such as the human genome, nuclear weapons, bioterrorism, space, endangered species, the Internet, and the training of scientists. Marburger will also help President Bush fill about 75 scientific jobs in the federal government. Perhaps the most contentious issue he will deal with is whether the federal government should fund biomedical research involving embryonic stem cells.

"I think it was clear to all when John came to USC from Stanford as a young assistant professor that he was destined to become a leader in science," William Steier, Hogue Professor of Electrical Engineering at USC, says. "He has all of the credentials: an excellent scientific background, a great sense of the important problems and how to approach them, and an ability to lead people and gain their confidence and support. I believe this is a great appointment by the president. John has the support and respect of the scientific community."