WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm issued the following statement today following the U.S. Senate confirmation of Dr. Geraldine Richmond this afternoon to serve as the Under Secretary of Science and Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy: 

“As a renowned scientist, researcher, and teacher, Dr. Geraldine Richmond has made historic contributions to the fields of chemistry and physics and has diligently applied that research to power breakthroughs in the fight against the climate crisis. That is why I am so grateful that the Senate confirmed Dr. Richmond to serve as Under Secretary of Science at the Department of Energy. Dr. Richmond’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive energy workforce and track record of public service will elevate our efforts to transition to a clean energy economy, accelerate scientific innovation, and build our country back better. We are proud to welcome her to the DOE team and look forward to the progress we make together.”

About Dr. Geraldine Richmond

Geraldine Richmond is the Presidential Chair in Science and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Bridging the fields of chemistry and physics, Richmond’s research focuses on understanding the molecular characteristics of water surfaces, studies that have relevance to environmental issues such as oil remediation, atmospheric chemistry and alternative energy sources. Her teaching and extensive outreach efforts have focused on science communication and building a strong and inclusive workforce. She has been honored by numerous honors and awards including the National Medal of Science from President Obama (2016), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from President Clinton (1997) and the American Chemical Society’s highest honor, the Priestley Medal (2018). Richmond is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society and the Association for Women in Science.

Richmond has served in many leadership roles throughout her career including as Chair of the Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (1998-2003), as U.S. Science Envoy to the Lower Mekong River Countries of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand (2015-2016) and as President of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2015) and Sigma Xi, the Honorary Scientific Research Society (2019-2020). She was appointed to the National Science Board by President Obama (2012-2018) and reappointed by President Trump (2018-present). Richmond is the Founding Director of COACh (1998-present), a grass-roots organization that has helped over 25,000 women scientists and engineers in career advancement in the U.S. and over two dozen developing countries. A native of Kansas, Richmond received her B.S. in chemistry from Kansas State University in 1975 and her Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 1980.

###