Alumnus William Brinkman confirmed as DOE Office of Science director

Dr. Brinkman goes to Washington

On June 19, the U.S. Senate confirmed William Brinkman as director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy (DOE). Brinkman, who received his bachelor of science degree and doctorate in physics from MU in 1960 and 1965, respectively, was nominated in April for the position by President Obama.

"I believe that, with the current people in this administration, there is a real chance for change happening," Brinkman said after his nomination.

In his address to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on June 2, Brinkman said he will bring decades of experience in managing scientific research in government, academia, and the private sector. He worked for 35 years at Bell Labs; under his leadership, research there earned two Nobel Prizes. In addition to his experience at Bell Labs, Brinkman served as vice president of research at Sandia National Laboratories and most recently was a senior research physicist in the physics department at Princeton University.

Brinkman's goals for his new role overseeing DOE's $4.8-billion basic science portfolio are to improve management and the relationship between headquarters and the laboratories. He is committed to scientific research and development, and he says the science education of our youth must be improved.

"We find a world in which science and technology is being pursued by many nations while the U.S. interest has seemed, at times, to have waned," says Brinkman. "I believe that President Obama is determined to change this situation and place a new emphasis on a strong scientific and technical enterprise."

Brinkman is a member of the American Physical Society, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was the recipient of the 1994 George E. Pake Prize by the American Physical Society.

As a student at Mizzou, Brinkman was a tackle for the 1959 football team, a member of the social fraternity Kappa Alpha, a Phi Beta Kappan, and a member of the Mystical Seven – an MU secret honor society founded in 1903 that selects members based on students showing leadership and service to the community and the university, traits Brinkman has shown throughout his career.

Laura Lindsey
Arts & Science Dean's Office

Links:

Department of Energy
Office of Science

Department of Physics and Astronomy