The economy under Obama: science
Cassie Rodenberg
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Health and Science
Could stem cell research and alternative energy save the economy?
Patrick Owens, chair of the department of chemistry, physics and geology, thinks so.
"It's an awakening moment on the importance of science: [President Barack Obama] believes in science." Owens said.
Obama recently nominated several giants to top science advisory positions under his administration, including Harvard physicist John Holdren, who spent much of his career in energy and environmental research. Holdren will fill the seat of White House science advisor.
Flanking Holdren are Carol Browner, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who will head the Department of Energy.
"There is a respected scientist heading the Department of Energy," Owens said. "I'm excited about the new administration."
With scientific front-runners in the White House driver's seat, Owens feels that scientific progress is just around the corner.
"I'm optimistic," he said. "We have visionary people."
Owens hopes that the new administration invests in knowledge and research to start digging the country out of its economic shambles.
"To help the economy, they can fund research, which helps business," Owens said. "A big part of our economy is technology, which wouldn't be there without research and development. The development of new products produces jobs; it's based on science, if you really get down to it."
To compete with other countries, the United States needs to compete with research and technology, Owens explained.
"We need to become more specialized. That's our way out of [the economic downturn]. We have the best education in the world; we need to use it," he said.
Owens pointed out that the majority of graduate students in the United States come from other countries. He supports funding more American students to go to graduate school.
"We need more scientists and engineers," Owens said. "Science is so central to our quality of life. There is substance to research. The way we're going to grow our economy is science."
On a more local level, Owens argues that states need to increase their technological development.
"South Carolina is trying to be a third-world place with cheap labor. It's unsuccessful. We can't compete that way," he said.
"We need to compete with technology and research. North Carolina is more invested in research and education."
However, Keith Benson, associate professor and program director of health care management, cautions against the notion that "technology can save us."
"Technology can do incredible things, but at what cost? When is enough, enough?" Benson asked.
On the dawn of a new science era, Owens feels Winthrop is fortunate.
"Winthrop is well-positioned with science grants," he said. "There are more opportunities here."
Patrick Owens, chair of the department of chemistry, physics and geology, thinks so.
"It's an awakening moment on the importance of science: [President Barack Obama] believes in science." Owens said.
Obama recently nominated several giants to top science advisory positions under his administration, including Harvard physicist John Holdren, who spent much of his career in energy and environmental research. Holdren will fill the seat of White House science advisor.
Flanking Holdren are Carol Browner, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who will head the Department of Energy.
"There is a respected scientist heading the Department of Energy," Owens said. "I'm excited about the new administration."
With scientific front-runners in the White House driver's seat, Owens feels that scientific progress is just around the corner.
"I'm optimistic," he said. "We have visionary people."
Owens hopes that the new administration invests in knowledge and research to start digging the country out of its economic shambles.
"To help the economy, they can fund research, which helps business," Owens said. "A big part of our economy is technology, which wouldn't be there without research and development. The development of new products produces jobs; it's based on science, if you really get down to it."
To compete with other countries, the United States needs to compete with research and technology, Owens explained.
"We need to become more specialized. That's our way out of [the economic downturn]. We have the best education in the world; we need to use it," he said.
Owens pointed out that the majority of graduate students in the United States come from other countries. He supports funding more American students to go to graduate school.
"We need more scientists and engineers," Owens said. "Science is so central to our quality of life. There is substance to research. The way we're going to grow our economy is science."
On a more local level, Owens argues that states need to increase their technological development.
"South Carolina is trying to be a third-world place with cheap labor. It's unsuccessful. We can't compete that way," he said.
"We need to compete with technology and research. North Carolina is more invested in research and education."
However, Keith Benson, associate professor and program director of health care management, cautions against the notion that "technology can save us."
"Technology can do incredible things, but at what cost? When is enough, enough?" Benson asked.
On the dawn of a new science era, Owens feels Winthrop is fortunate.
"Winthrop is well-positioned with science grants," he said. "There are more opportunities here."
Be the first to comment on this story