The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the chair and members of its new Office of Science Advisory Committee (SCAC), a group designed to offer independent advice on scientific and technical issues facing the DOE’s Office of Science.
This move is part of the Department’s effort to implement President Trump’s Executive Order Restoring Gold Standard Science, which aims to ensure that federal research is collaborative, transparent, and based on evidence in order to rebuild public trust in science. The SCAC will play a role in shaping priorities, improving coordination, and addressing cross-disciplinary research challenges as the DOE updates its scientific operations.
DOE Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil stated, “The establishment of SCAC underscores the Department’s commitment to scientific integrity and the power of partnership. By bringing together leading minds from diverse institutions, we’re forging a collaborative framework that will not only enhance our scientific endeavors but also accelerate the translation of fundamental research into tangible benefits for the American people. This committee exemplifies how shared vision and collective expertise are essential for navigating the complex scientific landscape of today and tomorrow.”
The members of SCAC were appointed by Under Secretary Gil and include experts from academia, industry, philanthropic organizations supporting science, and leaders from the DOE’s National Laboratories. The committee is expected to help guide responses to new research trends and interdisciplinary issues in an efficient manner. It will also provide guidance on major initiatives across the Office of Science such as the Genesis Mission, advances in scientific discovery, fusion energy development, and quantum science.
Persis Drell, professor at Stanford University with experience as provost emerita at Stanford and director emerita at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, will serve as chair of SCAC.
The new advisory body will take over responsibilities from six former discretionary advisory committees within the Office of Science. All ongoing duties assigned to those committees will be managed by SCAC going forward, creating a unified source for independent expert input. The full list of 21 committee members can be found on the DOE website.
