I welcome President Biden’s nomination of Arati Prabhakar to serve as his lead scientific advisor and as the director of OSTP. As demonstrated by her impeccable work leading the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in past administrations, she clearly understands the crucial government-university partnership that has been at the center of American innovation, economic growth, and national security since the middle of the last century.
Beyond her exceptional qualifications, Prabhakar is well-known to AAU and our member institutions, and we have worked hand-in-hand in the past to advance American science and innovation. We look forward to continuing that partnership in her new role.
Finally, we at AAU understand that representation in leadership is key to advancing the causes of diversity and equity in scientific fields, and I am so pleased that Prabhakar would be the first woman of color to serve in this highly visible role. I encourage the Senate to move quickly to confirm her nomination.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
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