President Trump is nominating Oklahoma’s own Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier to be his director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. He’s current vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma, a Regents’ professor of meteorology, Weathernews chair emeritus, Teigen presidential professor at OU, and serves as Governor Fallin’s secretary of science and technology.
Fallin said Droegemeier will benefit the Trump Administration.
“I am excited about Dr. Droegemeier being selected for this presidential appointment,” said Fallin. “He is a leading expert in the science and engineering research fields, as well as in the education community. He has served my Cabinet well as secretary of science and technology. He is widely respected as a leader on both the local and national levels, especially in encouraging relationships among industry, academia, and government. He has used his skills and his broad depth of knowledge to create new partnerships to benefit all of Oklahoma, and I’m confident he will do the same on the national level.”
U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford praise the move and echo Fallin’s thoughts on Droegemeier.
“Kelvin Drogemeier is a proven leader in science and technology and an excellent choice to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy,” said Inhofe. “From his time as a professor and service on the National Science Board to his leadership as the Vice President for Research at the University of Oklahoma, he has demonstrated a commitment to the scientific process, an appreciation for investing in research and a dedication to advancing technical achievement. I congratulate Kelvin on his nomination and look forward to his swift confirmation.”
“Dr. Droegemeier is an incredibly capable researcher and a highly qualified scientist,” said Lankford. “He has served Oklahoma well at the University of Oklahoma, and I am confident that he will serve our nation well as the new Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The nomination process is long and difficult, but I am proud that a fellow Oklahoman has stepped up to help lead our nation at this time.”
Congressman Tom Cole also praises the move.
“Kelvin is an excellent choice for the role of Director at the Office of Science and Technology at the White House,” said Cole. “His illustrious background will contribute enormously to this role, and to the White House’s key initiatives for science and technology. His work with the National Science Foundation and in meteorology has contributed immensely to the high-caliber research programs at the University of Oklahoma. In addition, he has testified before the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee I chair several times and has offered invaluable advice on a wide array of issues relating to scientific research and the important role the federal government has in funding such efforts. I am thrilled for his nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation in the Senate.”
Droegemeier co-founded and directed the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Science and Technology Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms and the NSF Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere. Droegemeier served two six-year terms (four years as vice chairman) on the National Science Board, under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He earned a bachelor of science degree in meteorology from OU and master’s and doctorate degrees in atmospheric science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Droegemeier is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
