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Obama's Science Team Natalie Schloeder Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Local News Science is in the air this February with Darwin's 200th birthday and Obama's declaration of a return to science. President Obama chose Harvard professor John Holdren back in December to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Holdren's experience lies in arms control, nuclear weapons, global warming, climate change and energy. One of the leading advocates for awareness on climate change, Holdren will be in good company as he is teamed with scientist Harold Varmus and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Eric Lander. Varmus won the Nobel prize for his cancer research and Lander was the head of the human genome project. Obama's Science Team also includes Jane Lubchenco who is now leading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is also an expert on climate change. As "assistant to the president," Holdren will be able to report directly to President Obama, a title that did not extend to the previous head of the OSTP John Marburger. The new administration hopes to tackle controversial issues such as global warming and stem cell research. Steven Chu, the new secretary of energy, also spoke out recently on potential cures for global warming that include electric batteries, solar power, and alternative fuels from crops. Dr. Chu feels that serious progress will have to made in those areas as well as renewable energy sources including solar and wind power before America can be free of fossil fuels and high carbon emissions. Yucca Mountain, a site in Nevada chosen by Congress to bury radioactive waste, will also be taking a large part of The Energy Department's time as Senate majority leader Harry Reid has opposed the project. With the reappearance of science on the new administration's agenda, many in the science community are hopeful. Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn