Trump Taps Respected Meteorologist for Top Science Post

The story

President Donald Trump intends to nominate meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier as his top science and technology adviser at the White House, according to the Washington Post.

Details

Droegemeier is an extreme weather expert, and has served both Republican and Democratic administrations in the past.

The Washington Post notes:

“Droegemeier’s selection, if approved by the Senate, could soon end a roughly 19-month vacancy at the top of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) — a critical arm of the White House that guides the president on such issues as self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, emerging medical research and climate change.”

Droegemeier’s candidacy has generally met with favor in the scientific community. John Holdren, who led the OSTP for eight years as Obama’s science adviser, described Droegemeier as a “serious climate scientist,” saying:

“I think he is a very solid choice… He is a respected senior scientist and he has experience in speaking science to power.”

Droegemeier is currently the vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma, where he’s researched storm forecasting for 30 years.

Why it matters

If confirmed, Droegemeier will take control of an office radically reshaped by the Trump administration. Trump has reduced the number of OSTP staff members from 130 to about 50. The administration has also placed greater emphasis on technology issues, and has sought to cut or eliminate high-profile science programs, including climate-change programs at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Marcia McNutt, the president of the National Academy of Sciences, expressed satisfaction with Droegemeier’s nomination, saying it was:

"a key step towards giving science a seat at the table so decisions that shape our country are informed by the best available evidence… In particular, our nation is facing mounting costs from weather-related disasters, including more severe hurricanes, floods, droughts, and forest fires. Having a distinguished atmospheric scientist advising the President is timely and a great choice."

What do you think?

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—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo credit: iStock.com / Petrovich9)