Reminiscences of a Genial Asst Director

Transcription

1 Reminiscences of a Genial Asst Director Board on Physics & Astronomy 21 April 2006 Michael S. Turner Former Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences The US National Science Foundation

2 NSF/MPS Highlights AD Search near completion excellent candidates New DDs Peter March (Ohio State) DD/DMS Luis Echegoyen (Clemson) DD/CHE Lance Haworth Acting DD/DMR; search to be initiated Fall 06 MREFC queue nearly empty Two starts in 07 (ARRV, OOI) AdvLIGO in 08 ( and the queue is empty) Senior Review near completion (more later) American Competitiveness Initiative Doubling of NSF budget over next 10 years

3 The Best Job in Washington* * Neal Lane

4 Top Ten List Best Job in Washington 10. Cool events in Washington (White House, NSF Awards dinner at State, anything at the Italian Embassy, and the Garden Party) 9. World-class facilities from LIGO & Big Glass to the Mag Lab & NSCL to South Pole Ice Cube & Big Radio Dishes 8. Fantastic staff of 120 Ph.D.s all dedicated to the AD 7. NSF is the Golden Child in Washington 6. NSF is driven by the genius of the scientific community 5. Strong, good partners to work with (e.g., DOE O/S) 4. Fantastic science opportunities from nano to number theory and exoplanets to extra dimensions 3. Great leadership team at NSF (Arden Bement, Kathie Olsen and supporting cast of 6 other ADs) 2. $1.1B Budget 1. Ability to influence the future of basic research in the physical sciences and make great science happen

5 A Simple & Robust Strategic Plan

6 Some MPS Accomplishments Implementation of Quarks to the Cosmos OSTP s Physics of the Universe Federal Strategy NSF funding in AST and PHY Elementary-particle physics closer to realizing its dreams Quantum Universe, Discovering the Quantum Universe, EPP2010 Particle Physics initiative in PHY (+$15M in 07 and beyond) Ready to go with LHC Stewardship of NSF s World Class Facilities Beyond Brinkman Advanced LIGO scheduled for FY08 Renewal of NHFML Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) on steady course RSVP handled ATST to readiness stage D&D funding for Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) at Cornell GSMT partnership and D&D funding LSST D&D funding Astronomy Senior Review (more later) Doubling of DMS budget Molecular Basis of Life Processes initiative (CHE/DMR)

7 American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI): A New Equation for the Physical Sciences

8 Brief History Science won WWII from penicillin and radar to the atomic bomb and code breaking Physical Science won the Cold War atomic bombs, computers, and silicon devices Now we want to be healthy and live long (doubling of NIH in 5 yrs) PCAST, Harold Varmus, Competitiveness Summit, Newt Gingrich et al, Thomas Friedman, Rep. Wolf s tripling letter, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, State of the Union: American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI)

9 President Bush in State of the Union President Bush in State of the Union 31 January 2006 And to keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hardworking, ambitious people -- and we're going to keep that edge. Tonight I announce an American Competitiveness Initiative, to encourage innovation throughout our economy, and to give our nation's children a firm grounding in math and science.

10 First, I propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources.

11 Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private-sector initiatives in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life -- and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come.

12 Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We've made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advancedplacement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America's children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world.

13 The President s Equation

14 Investment in Math & Physical Science = Investment in Future Economic Wealth of America

15 Replaces Old Equation

16 Investment in Math & Physical Science = Investment in Defense of the Nation

17 Big Challenge for the Physical Sciences: Success of ACI Chance of a lifetime: failure is not an option! The President has done (is doing) his part NSF +7.9%, doubling over 10 years; DOE O/S +14.1%, doubling over 10 yrs WOW! Our turn: shape ACI and convince Congress, colleagues and the public President proposes, Congress disposes: 2 = exp(0.07/yr 10 yr) Winners (NSF, DOE, NIST) and losers (e.g., NIH, NASA) there will be attacks The President s Equation is not yet established What s in; what s out ( no science left behind ) Must stick together and work hard

18 The Threat

19 Basic Research: Proven Returns Michael Faraday to the British Finance Minister who asked, This is all very interesting, but what use is it? Sir, I do not know, but someday you will tax it. Leon Lederman (to anyone who will listen) on quantum theory: Quantum Mechanics accounts for 1/3 rd of the U.S. GDP

20 The Stunning Opportunities Ahead

21 Creating the molecules and materials that will transform the 21st Century Perhaps what is most significant about materials research throughout its history is that it tended to be a major limiting factor in determining the rate at which civilization could advance Frederick Seitz

22 Providing sustainable energy to power our planet The Challenge: From 10 Terawatts to 50 Terawatts in 40 years

23 Creating the ideas & devices that keep the information revolution on the path of Moore s s Law

24 Inventing the instrumentation that transforms all of science and society

25 Understanding/describing complexity: from climate change and weather to human consciousness and turbulence/combustion We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because two is one and one. We forget that we have still to make a study of and. Sir Arthur Eddington

26 Connecting the complexity of life to the underlying molecular processes

27 Revealing new mysteries of the quantum world and new states of matter

28 Understanding the nature of matter, energy, space and time

29 Reconstructing history from the before the big bang to life on Earth (& elsewhere) to the end of time

30 Reconciling quantum theory with general relativity

31 Discovering new mathematical structures and exploiting them

32 No Science Left Behind Applied shorter term, quick return (think IT, Nano) Easy to appreciate (even overestimate) value Discovery longer term, uncertain return (think QM) Inspirational, talent magnet, and technology push Less certain, but potentially much larger returns Both important!!

33 Challenges for NSF Senior Review NSF Role in support and stewardship role in elementary particle physics NSF imprimatur/valuation and support of university researchers is critical Civilian control of NSF

34 Senior Review Rebalancing the portfolio led by Blandford Future of astronomy at stake NB: raison d etre is not ambitious Decadal Survey and slow budget growth, rather wise stewardship World is watching : from MPS, the Director and Deputy Director to OSTP, OMB and Congress Tough job: unlike NASA, NSF Facilities don t burn up in the atmosphere and they live in congressional districts AST will need your help/support/nudging/backbone to carry out the recommendations and make this a regular event

35 NSF and the Physical Sciences & Engineering Largest Supporter of Basic Research in Physical Sciences Broadly Defined (~$5B of $6B) From Geoscience to Physics, from Computer Science to Chemistry, from Engineering to Mathematics Always at the Frontier, First at the Boundaries Special Roles University support (~80% of budget) Steward for Math, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Astronomy Education, Broadening Participation, Public Understanding & Societal Implications University-led facilities that are Bold & Transformational