Neal Francis Lane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neal Lane
7th Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
In office August 4, 1998 – January 20, 2001
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Kerri-Ann Jones (Acting)
Succeeded by	Rosina Bierbaum (Acting)
10th Director of the National Science Foundation
In office January 20, 1993 – December 13, 1998
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Walter Massey
Succeeded by	Rita Colwell
3rd Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
In office July 24, 1984 – May 14, 1986
Preceded by	Donald Schwartz
Succeeded by	Dwayne Nuzum
Personal details
Born	Cornelius Francis Lane (1938-08-22) August 22, 1938 (age 86) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Education	University of Oklahoma (BS, MS, PhD)
Scientific career
Fields	Theoretical physics Atomic physics Molecular physics
Institutions	Rice University National Science Foundation University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Thesis	A study of certain inelastic electron-atom collision processes (1965)
Doctoral advisor	Chun Chia Lin
Other academic advisors	Alexander Dalgarno

Cornelius Francis "Neal" Lane (born August 22, 1938) is an American physicist. He has held important roles in science and government. He was a science advisor to President Bill Clinton. He also led the National Science Foundation, which helps fund scientific research.

Today, he is a senior expert at Rice University in Texas. He studies how science and technology affect public policy.

Neal Lane's Early Life and Education

Neal Lane was born in Oklahoma City in 1938. He went to Southeast High School. Later, he studied physics at the University of Oklahoma. He earned three degrees there: a bachelor's, a master's, and a Ph.D.

His main teacher for his Ph.D. was Chun Chia Lin.

Career in Science and Education

Teaching and Research

Neal Lane started his career as a teacher and researcher. He did special studies in Northern Ireland and at a research institute called JILA. In 1966, he joined Rice University as a professor. By 1972, he became a full professor of physics and astronomy.

His research focused on theoretical physics. He studied how tiny particles like electrons and atoms interact.

Leading Universities

From 1979 to 1980, Lane worked at the National Science Foundation (NSF). He was the director of the Physics Division.

In 1984, he became the leader, or chancellor, of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. This university was growing its science and engineering programs.

He returned to Rice University in 1986. There, he served as the provost until 1993. A provost is like a chief academic officer, overseeing all the teaching and research.

National Science Foundation Leader

From 1993 to 1998, Neal Lane was the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF is a U.S. government agency that supports basic research and education in science and engineering.

Supporting Research

As director, Lane made sure the NSF kept funding important scientific studies. He helped create the CAREER program for young scientists. He also started an electronic system for submitting and reviewing research proposals.

Big Science Projects

During his time, the NSF funded several large projects. These included:

• The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which looks for ripples in space-time.
• The first GEMINI telescope, used to study the universe.
• A new Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station for Antarctic studies.

In 1998, Lane predicted that "nanotechnology" would lead to major breakthroughs. Nanotechnology involves working with extremely tiny materials.

Science Advisor to the President

In August 1998, President Bill Clinton chose Neal Lane as his science advisor. This was a very important job. He was the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. He also directed the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Guiding Science Policy

As science advisor, Lane helped the President with science and technology plans. He pushed for more basic scientific research in the U.S.

The OSTP worked on many important topics during his time, such as:

• Stem cell research
• Food safety
• Climate change
• The U.S. space program, including the start of the International Space Station
• The Human Genome Project, which mapped human genes
• The National Nanotechnology Initiative

Current Work and Contributions

After leaving the White House in 2001, Lane returned to Rice University. He became the first "university professor" there. He also joined the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Baker Institute

Today, he is a senior expert at the Baker Institute. He co-directs their Science and Technology Policy Program. This program helps scientists and the public talk about important issues. It also suggests how to fund research and deal with environmental policy.

Lane continues to give talks and advise on science and technology. He works with groups that focus on science education and government policy. He helped write a report in 2014 called "Restoring the Foundation," which talked about how important research is for America.

Personal Life

Neal Lane is married to Joni Sue (Williams) Lane. They have two children, Christy and John, and four grandchildren.

Awards and Honors

Neal Lane has received many awards for his work:

• George R. Brown Prize for Superior Teaching at Rice University (twice)
• Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers
• President's Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Public Service Award from the American Chemical Society
• AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize
• NASA Distinguished Service Award
• William D. Carey Lecture Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Public Service Award from major physics and math societies
• Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Oklahoma
• K.T. Compton Medal for Leadership in Physics from the American Institute of Physics
• National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal
• Vannevar Bush Award from the National Science Board
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Selected Publications

Neal Lane has written many articles about science policy. Here are a few examples:

• "Benjamin Franklin, Civic Scientist" in Physics Today (2003)
• "U.S. Science and Technology – An Uncoordinated System That Seems to Work" in Technology in Society (2008)
• "The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Present at the Creation" in Issues in Science and Technology (2005)
• "Science in the seat of power" in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (2008)
• "American Physics, Policy, and Politics: An Uneasy Relationship" in Physical Review Letters (2008)
• "United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray" (2009)
• "The President's Scientist" in Cell (2009)
• "Science Policy Tools: Time for an Update" in Issues in Science and Engineering (2011)
• "Qualitative Metrics in Science Policy: What Can't be Counted Counts" in Issues in Science and Engineering (2012)