UCI vice chancellor addresses congressional subcommittee about ‘innovation deficit’

John Hemminger, vice chancellor for research at UC Irvine, today addressed the congressional Subcommittee on Energy and called for increased support of fundamental science research to address an emerging innovation deficit in the U.S. “The strong support from Congress and the American people for fundamental scientific research and higher education has been responsible for the technological innovation that resulted in the position of leadership we enjoy in the world today,” he said. “It is essential that these strategic investments continue at a level that will allow us to remain competitive on the world stage.”  In his role as chair of the federal Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee, Hemminger was one of three witnesses testifying before the panel, a division of the Committee on Science, Space & Technology chaired by Lamar Smith (R-Texas). The text of his testimony is available at that site.  Hemminger, professor of chemistry, also met with local legislators Dana Rohrabacher (R-48) and Mark Takano (D-41).