The US Department of Energy (DOE) has named the chair and members of the newly established Office of Science Advisory Committee (SCAC), a unified advisory body that will provide independent expert advice on complex scientific and technical challenges across the DOE’s Office of Science.
The creation of SCAC supports implementation of the “Gold Standard Science” initiative, aimed at strengthening collaboration, transparency, and evidence-based research within federal science. The committee, chaired by Persis Drell of Stanford University, brings together leaders from academia, industry, science philanthropy, and national laboratories.
It will help guide DOE science priorities, improve coordination across disciplines, and advise on key initiatives, including the Genesis Mission, fusion energy, quantum science, and scientific discovery. SCAC replaces the functions of six former advisory committees to provide a single, coordinated source of independent expert input for the Office of Science. The DOE writes:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the chair and members of the newly established Office of Science Advisory Committee (SCAC), a unified advisory body that will provide independent advice on complex scientific and technical challenges across the Department’s Office of Science.
Today’s announcement advances the Department’s implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order Restoring Gold Standard Science as the cornerstone of federal research—ensuring that the Department and its National Laboratory systems’ science is collaborative, transparent, and guided by evidence to rebuild public trust in science. As DOE modernizes and strengthens its scientific enterprise, SCAC will provide expert input to help inform priorities, improve coordination, and address cross-cutting research challenges across the Office of Science.
“The establishment of SCAC underscores the Department’s commitment to scientific integrity and the power of partnership,” said DOE Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil. “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.”
Members of SCAC, appointed by Under Secretary Gil, represent the full breadth of Office of Science research, drawing expertise from leaders across academia, industry, science philanthropy, and the Department’s National Laboratories. The Committee will help the Office of Science adapt to a rapidly evolving research landscape and address interdisciplinary challenges in a streamlined and flexible manner. It will also provide advice on initiatives that are priorities for the entire Office, including the Genesis Mission, scientific discovery, fusion energy, and quantum science.
SCAC will be chaired by Persis Drell, professor of materials science and engineering and physics at Stanford University, provost emerita of Stanford, and director emerita of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
The Committee will adopt the core functions of the Office of Science’s six former discretionary advisory committees. Any current charged responsibilities of these former committees will transfer to SCAC, providing a single, coordinated source of independent expert advice. A full list of the 21 SCAC members:
Persis Drell, Chair
Stanford UniversityMichael Mahoney
University of California-Berkeley
Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryWilliam Dally
NVIDIANadya Mason
University of ChicagoDrew Endy
Stanford UniversityMark Papermaster
AMDCynthia Friend
Kavli FoundationMayly Sanchez
Florida State UniversitySuresh Garimella
University of ArizonaMartin Schmidt
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteMakoto Gonokami
RikenEdward Seidel
University of WyomingSupratik Guha
University of Chicago
Argonne National LaboratoryDavid Siegel
Two SigmaEric Isaacs
Research Corporation for Science AdvancementDavid Spergel
Simons FoundationLara Jehi
Cleveland ClinicA.N. Sreeram
DowPushmeet Kohli
Google DeepMindDerek Sutherland
Realta FusionTammy Ma
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
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