Zoology Alum at NOAA's Helm

By Kristy Brady

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, '71, (MS, Zoology) is the new head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce and oversees such agencies as the National Marine and Fisheries Service and the National Weather Service. NOAA’s charge includes such tall orders as ensuring the sustainable use of the nation’s coastal and marine resources and understanding changes in global climate patterns.

Jane Lubchenco teaches in the field.

For 30 years Lubchenco has been teaching and running a research lab at Oregon State University, where she is a Valley Professor of Marine Biology and a Distinguished Professor of Zoology. Her ecology research is world-class and eight of her research publications are referenced so regularly they have become “Science Citation Classics.” For her inspired work, Lubchenco has received a MacArthur “Genius Award” and a Pew Fellowship, to name just two honors on her long list, and has been inducted into such prestigious societies as the National Academy of the Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
 
Outside of the classroom and lab, Lubchenco uses her credentials to advance the understanding of science by the public and, importantly, by policymakers. With this in mind she founded the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, which helps academic scientists learn how to effectively communicate science to non-scientists and encourages academics to reach out to the community and policy makers and serve as a resource for information on environmental issues and concerns.

In nominating Lubchenco for the position, President Obama had encouraging words for all those engaged in science across the nation:

“The truth is that promoting science isn’t just about providing resources—it’s about protecting free and open inquiry,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It’s about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it’s inconvenient—especially when it’s inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States—and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work.”

We here at UW Biology are pleased that Dr. Lubchenco is a member of that team.

Visit Jane Lubchenco's Web site for more information about her research and learn more about this scientist at work.

Photo by Sol Neelman