Eric Lander
Eric Lander was the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. On February 7, 2022, Lander submitted a letter of resignation to President Joe Biden (D), effective no later than February 18.[1]
President Joe Biden (D) announced that Lander, a geneticist, molecular biologist, and mathematician, was his nominee for the position on January 16, 2021. Biden also elevated the position have Cabinet-rank status.[2] The Senate confirmed Lander by voice vote on May 28, 2021.[3] See below to follow the progress of the nomination.
Biography
Lander received his B.A. in mathematics from Princeton University. He attended Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar from 1978 to 1981, where he received a D.Phil in mathematics.[4]
He joined the faculty of Harvard Business School, where he worked as an assistant and associate professor from 1981 to 1990, teaching classes on managerial economics and decision analysis. He began studying molecular biology and genetics in the 1980s. He began teaching in MIT's Department of Biology in 1990, where he is a tenured professor. He also began working as a professor of systems biology at Harvard Medical School in 2004.[4]
Lander was involved in the Human Genome Project from 1990 to 2003 and founded the Broad Institute, a biomedical and genomic medicine research institution, in 2004.[4]
From 2009 to 2017, Lander served as the co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Obama administration.
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Lander's academic, professional, and political career:[4]
- 2021-2022: Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- 1990-2021: Professor, MIT's Department of Biology
- 2004-2021: Professor of systems biology, Harvard Medical School
- 2009-2017: Co-chair, President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- 1990-2008: Member, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
- 1990-2003: Principal, Human Genome Project
- 1981-1990: Assistant and associate professor, Harvard Business School
- 1981: Received DPhil in mathematics from Oxford University
- 1978: Received B.A. in mathematics from Princeton University
Nomination for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
- See also: Joe Biden presidential transition and Confirmation process for Eric Lander for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
| Joe Biden's Cabinet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate: Eric Lander | ||
| Position: Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy | ||
| Announced: | January 16, 2021 | |
| Hearing: | April 29, 2021 | |
| Committee: | Commerce, Science, and Transportation | |
| Reported: | Favorable (Voice Vote) | |
| Confirmed: | May 28, 2021 | |
| Vote: | Voice Vote | |
On January 16, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) announced Lander was his nominee for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and presidential science advisor. He also made the latter position have Cabinet-rank status.[2]
Biden said of Lander, "It’s not hyperbole to suggest that Dr. Lander’s work has changed the course of human history. His role in helping us map the genome pulled back the curtain on human disease, allowing scientists ever since — and for generations to come — to explore the molecular basis for some of the most devastating illnesses affecting our world. And the applications of his pioneering work are poised to lead to incredible cures and breakthroughs in the years to come."[2]
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held Lander's confirmation hearing on April 29, 2021. The committee reported his nomination favorably by a voice vote on May 20, 2021.[5][6] The Senate confirmed Lander by voice vote on May 28, 2021.[3]
Noteworthy events
Resignation from White House positions
On February 7, 2022, Lander submitted a letter of resignation to President Joe Biden (D).[7]
According to a February 7 report by Politico, White House officials conducted an investigation into Lander's workplace behavior that found "credible evidence of disrespectful interactions with staff by Dr. Lander and [Office of Science and Technology Policy] leadership."[8] White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on February 7 that the White House told Lander to take corrective actions after the investigation and was monitoring Lander's compliance with White House workplace rules. Later that evening, she announced that Lander submitted a resignation letter.[9][7]
In the letter, Lander said: "I have sought to push myself and my colleagues to reach our shared goals — including at times challenging and criticizing. But it is clear that things I said, and the way I said them, crossed the line at times into being disrespectful and demeaning, to both men and women."[10] His resignation was set to be effective no later than February 18.[7]
Recent news
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Axios, "Biden science adviser Eric Lander resigns after violating workplace policy," February 7, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Biden-Harris Transition (via Archive.org), "Remarks Announcing Key Science Advisors as Prepared for Delivery by President-elect Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware," January 16, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Politico, "Biden’s top scientist quickly confirmed by Senate," May 28, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Broad Institute, "About Eric Lander," accessed January 21, 2021
- ↑ Senate Commerice Committee, "Nomination Hearing," April 29, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Biden’s top scientist gets OK from Senate committee," May 20, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Wall Street Journal, "Biden’s Science Adviser Eric Lander Quits Over Behavior Toward Staff," February 7, 2022
- ↑ Politico, "Biden’s top science adviser bullied and demeaned subordinates, according to White House investigation," February 7, 2022
- ↑ White House, "Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, February 7, 2022," February 7, 2022
- ↑ NPR, "Top White House science adviser announces resignation after reports of bullying," February 7, 2022
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