ORISE supports DOE’s 2022 Basic Energy Science Advisory Committee meeting

April 19, 2022 

ORISE coordinated and supported the 2022 Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) meeting held virtually via Zoom on April 5, 2022. BESAC provides valuable, independent advice to DOE on the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program regarding the complex scientific and technical issues that arise in the planning, management, and implementation of the program. The committee primarily includes representatives from universities, national laboratories, and industries involved in energy-related scientific research.

DOE Under Secretary for Science and Innovation Geraldine Richmond (pictured left) opened the meeting with a presentation and discussion on Research Priorities for Science and Energy. BES Director Dr. Linda Horton; Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division Director Bruce Garrett; and Materials Sciences and Engineering Division Director Andy Schwartz followed Richmond with the Office of Science update along with the announcement of the new Chair, Cynthia Friend (pictured right). 

Additional presentations encompassed updates on the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research Scientific Progress and Technical Impact by Argonne National Laboratory’s George Crabtree; Plant Research Laboratory: Fundamental Mechanisms of Photosynthesis by Michigan State’s Christoph Benning; an update on the Roundtable on Foundational Science for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies by Georgia Institute of Technology’s Krista Walton; and Scientific Competitiveness: Challenges in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Workforce Retention by Vipin Arora and Amy Burke with the National Science Foundation and Dr. Julie Carruthers with DOE Office of Science.