Clinton Nominates Lane for Top Science Position

National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Neil Lane, former Rice University provost and physics professor, has accepted the position of Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). President Clinton announced his intention to nominate Lane after John Gibbons gave notice of his retirement from these positions effective March 15.

"I welcome the opportunity to help lead the President's science and technology team," says Lane. "The next century will be a veritable golden age of discovery. Promising breakthroughs and advances come to light almost daily. My highest priority will be to enable the U.S. to uphold a position of world leadership in all aspects of science and engineering in the 21st century."

Lane will be responsible for providing the President with advice in science and technology policy and will coordinate federal government science, space, and technology policies and programs. He will also co-chair the President's Committee of Advisers on Science and Technology Policy and manage the National Science and Technology Council.

In the short term, Lane plans to work to enact the President's entire fiscal year 1999 budget request for science and engineering. "By providing one of the largest increases for civilian research and development, this investment would set the stage for a new century of progress through learning and discovery," he says.

Lane has served as NSF Director since 1993. Clinton nominated University of Maryland Microbiology Professor Rita Colwell to replace Lane as NSF Director. Colwell has been president of the American Society for Microbiology, the International Union of Microbiological Societies, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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