The Federal Science Leadership Tracker is an index of high-level federal officials that have responsibility for appropriating funds, setting policy, or managing programs relevant to the physical sciences. The tracker currently contains information about the chairmen and ranking members of selected congressional committees as well as selected Senate-confirmed positions and other leadership positions at key agencies.
This resource is updated on an ongoing basis as new leaders emerge, current appointees depart, and nominees make their way through the Senate confirmation process. Additional committees, agencies, and leadership positions may be added in the future.
If you have any questions or comments about this resource, please email fyi [at] aip.org.
Executive Branch Leaders: Trump Administration | Obama Administration
Congressional Leaders: 115th Congress | 114th Congress
White House
Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
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Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Vacant
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Associate Director, Energy & Environment
Vacant
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Associate Director, National Security & International Affairs
Vacant
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Associate Director, Science
Vacant
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Associate Director, Technology
Vacant
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DOE
Selected Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Secretary of Energy
 |
Rick Perry
|
Committee Vote: 17-6 Floor Vote: 62-37 |
|
Deputy Secretary
 |
Dan Brouillette
|
Nomination: 04/2017 Hearing: 05/2017 Committee Vote: 17-6 Floor Vote: 79-17 |
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Under Secretary, Science & Energy
 Patricia Hoffman (Acting)
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N/A | N/A |
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Under Secretary, Science
Vacant
|
 Paul Dabbar
|
Nomination: 07/2017 Hearing: 07/2017 Committee Vote: |
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Director, Office of Science
 Steve Binkley (Acting)
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Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy
 Eric Rohlfing (Acting)
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Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
 Daniel Simmons (Acting)
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Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Energy
 Raymond Furstenau (Acting)
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Assistant Secretary, Fossil Energy
Vacant
|
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Assistant Secretary, Environmental Management
 Susan Cange (Acting)
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Assistant Secretary, Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability
Patricia Hoffman (Acting)
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National Nuclear Security Administration
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Administrator
|
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Principal Deputy Administrator
Vacant
|
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Deputy Administrator, Defense Programs
 Phillip Calbos (Acting)
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Deputy Administrator, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
 David Huizenga (Acting)
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NASA
Selected Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Administrator
 Robert Lightfoot (Acting)
|
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Deputy Administrator
 Lesa Roe (Acting)
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Other Leadership Positions
|
Associate Administrator
Science Mission Directorate
 2016–
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Chief Scientist
 Gale Allen (Acting)
|
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Astrophysics Director
 2012–
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Planetary Science Director
 2006–
|
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Earth Science Director
 2006–
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Heliophysics Director
 2015–
|
NSF
Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Director
 2014–
|
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Deputy Director
Vacant
|
Other Leadership Positions
|
National Science Board Chair
 2016–
|
National Science Board Vice Chair
 2016–
|
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Assistant Director
Mathematical & Physical Sciences
 James Ulvestad (Acting)
|
Assistant Director
Geosciences
 2017–
|
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Assistant Director
Computer & Information Science & Engineering
 2014–
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Assistant Director
Engineering
 2017–
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Assistant Director
Biological Sciences
 2014–
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Assistant Director
Social, Behavioral, & Economic Sciences
 2014–
|
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Assistant Director
Education & Human Resources
 William (Jim) Lewis (Acting)
|
NIH
NOAA/NIST
Selected Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Administrator
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Benjamin Friedman (Acting)
|
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Assistant Secretary
Environmental Observation & Prediction
 Stephen Volz (Acting)
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Director
National Institute of Standards and Technology
 Kent Rochford (Acting)
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Other Leadership Positions
|
NOAA Chief Scientist
 Craig McLean (Acting)
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Assistant Administrator
NOAA Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research
2015–
|
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Associate Director
NIST Laboratory Programs
 Laurie Locascio (Acting)
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DOD
Selected Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
|
Under Secretary, Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics
 |
Ellen Lord |
Nomination: 06/2017 Hearing: 07/2017 Floor vote: Confirmed by voice vote |
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Principal Under Secretary, AT&L
Vacant
|
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Assistant Secretary, Research & Engineering
 Mary Miller (Acting)
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State
Selected Senate-Confirmed Positions
| Current Occupant | Nominee | Actions |
|---|---|---|
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Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs
 Judith Garber (Acting)
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Other Leadership Positions
|
S&T Adviser to the Secretary of State
Vacant
|
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Science, Space, & Health
 2011–
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