The National Academy of Sciences has nominated Ralph J. Cicerone, chancellor of the University of California, Irvine and CCST fellow, as its next president.

"The importance of science and technology to the United States and the world has never been greater, and I look forward to serving if I am elected," said Cicerone following the announcement.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research. It is dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and their use for the good of society. Members and foreign associates of the Academy are elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. The membership includes approximately 2,000 members and 350 foreign associates, of whom more than 190 have won Nobel Prizes. Together, the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council constitute the National Academies. There is substantial overlap between the National Academies and CCST: approximately one third of the members of the National Academies reside in California, and half of CCST members are also members of the National Academies.

The president of the National Academy of Sciences is a full-time employee of the organization at the Academy's headquarters in Washington, D.C., and also serves as the chair of the National Research Council.

"Ralph Cicerone is one of the world's most highly acclaimed atmospheric scientists, and this rise to the presidency of the National Academy of Sciences is a richly deserved acknowledgment of his talents as scientist and leader," said University of California President Robert Dynes.

Under the Academy's bylaws, the nominating committee puts forward for the council's approval a single candidate for the presidency. Although the bylaws permit additional nominations from the membership, this mechanism has never been used. In the absence of another nomination, Cicerone's name will be presented to the full membership for formal ratification on December 15, 2004. That ballot, which will also contain the names of candidates for the Academy's vice presidency, will be completed in January 2005.

Cicerone succeeds outgoing president Bruce Alberts, who holds a position as professor of cellular biology on the faculty of University of California, San Francisco. Alberts' California roots, as well as California's leading position as the nation's preeminent science and technology state, have contributed to the National Academy of Sciences paying close attention to science and technology issues in California, such as the discussion of science textbook criteria in March 2004. Cicerone's California background and connection with CCST will help continue the developing partnership that CCST and the National Academies formally initiated earlier this year.

"This multi-faceted collaboration will bring about new ways for CCST to leverage the considerable resources and expertise of the National Academies in a manner relevant and accessible to California policymakers," said CCST Chair C. Judson King. "The net result for California will be a level of science and technology policy knowledge and wisdom unparalleled at the state level."

The initiative has three major programmatic areas: collaboration between CCST and the National Academies; building expert capacity to advise state leaders; and providing specific information and policy reports. Each of these three areas includes multiple projects, and is closely related and designed to complement and build on each other. The collaboration will provide technical knowledge and expertise in a relevant and usable format to policymakers, and allow CCST and the Academies to target new research based on the experience of working with policymakers.

"Engaging with CCST will enable the National Academies to gain a clearer perspective of the science and technology issues that are important at the state level, and enable CCST to continue expanding its ability to provide impartial and expert perspective on the politically contentious issues related to science, technology, and education in the state," said King. "California remains the top science and technology state in the country, and CCST looks forward to continuing to work with the National Academies in the years to come."