One on One continues PROFILES IN INNOVATION
computer science efforts.
Brinkman returned to Bell Labs in 1987 as executive direc- tor of its physics research division. In 1993, he became physical sciences research vice president and in January 2000 he became vice president of research. He retired from Bell Labs, then part of Lucent Technologies, in September 2001. Brinkman was
president of the Ameri- can Physical Society in 2002, and he has served on numerous national commit- tees, including chairing the National Academy of Sci- ences’ Physics Survey. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. He was a recipient of the 1994 George E. Pake Prize. Brinkman served as senior research physicist at Princeton University before President Obama tapped him to head the Of- fice of Science.
ties at DOE Headquarters, field sites, national laboratories and EPA facilities. Over the last three years, the program has grown from 38 to 75 interns, and in 2010, 40 students representing 17 HBCUs participated in the program. Seven HBCUs are participating in DOE’s Mentor-Protégé Program, which provides a variety of parties the opportunity to participate in DOE contracts and subcontracts opportunities.
Seven HBCUs are participating in DOE’s Mentor-Protégé Program, which provides opportunity in DOE contracts and sub contracts.
science and innovation.
US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine recently asked Brinkman about his role at the Department of Energy and the department’s relationship with historically black colleges and universities. The exchange follows here:
USBE: What are some of the things the Department of Energy is doing to get more underrepresented minorities into science and technology fields? Brinkman: Secretary Steven Chu recognizes that support- ing science and innovation is essential to America’s economic growth and global competitiveness. He also understands the important role that historically black colleges and universities play in developing and maintaining a more diverse science and engineering workforce. President Obama’s FY 2011 budget includes more than $285 million for HBCU programs in the federal government. The department supports a wide range of those programs and ac- tivities, including research and development, student education and recruitment. In FY 2010, DOE funding to HBCUs totaled almost $30 million. The Department’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity also works to ensure that more underrepresented minorities will have the opportunity to pursue careers in science and engineer- ing fields. For instance: The Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership and Program—in partnership with the En- vironmental Protection Agency—provides internship opportuni-
10 USBE&IT I SPRING 2011
USBE: What does the department do to support historically black colleges and universities? Brinkman: In addition to the activities outlined above, DOE has a proud history of supporting activities at HBCUs including Alcorn State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Howard University, Langston Uni- versity, Norfolk State University, Xavier University, and many others.
USBE: Do historically black colleges and universi- ties continue to play a special role in STEM educa- tion, even now in the 21st Century? Brinkman: HBCUs certainly play a special role in STEM education, and in DOE’s efforts to strengthen our nation in green technology and jobs. HBCUs play an essential role in broaden- ing participation in STEM education.
USBE: Do they offer lessons that could be instruc- tive to other college and universities? Brinkman: One of the great things that HBCUs can teach is the importance of bringing the full potential of students to bear on our country’s most pressing problems. You just never know who will bring the next breakthrough. There’s so much that students at HBCUs can offer the science and technology community, and I hope we’ll see more and more of them active in STEM fields in the future.
USBE: Your office controls billions of dollars in
www.blackengineer.com
USBE: Why is that impor- tant for the country? Brinkman: It’s important that we develop and maintain a more diverse science and engineering workforce, because a diversity of people, with a diversity of backgrounds, helps assure a diversity of ideas. That in turn will spur discovery in basic
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