U.S. Department of Agriculture recently named Dr. Simon Liu the administrator of the Agricultural Research Service.
Liu, who had been acting administrator since June, was officially named to the full position Jan. 4, according to a Feb. 6 USDA news release. ARS is best known for using technology and science to resolve agricultural issues.
"The Department, nation and the world look to ARS to provide cutting-edge discoveries and solutions that are rooted in quality, objective science," USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young said in the news release. "Research is the key to strengthening and adapting agriculture to meet the needs of today and the challenges we face tomorrow."
Liu, along with his senior leadership team, manage more than 660 research projects across four USDA national program areas and conducted by 2,000 scientists and post-doctoral researchers with assignments to more than 90 research locations nationwide, the release reported. A few of those research locations are laboratories overseas.
"It's an honor to be a part of such an innovative research agency that provides scientific excellence through agricultural discoveries," Liu said in the release. "These discoveries support the nourishment of all people while sustaining our nation's agroecosystem and natural resources. As administrator, I will continue supporting and advancing the great work that our more than 8,000 employees do every day."
Before his time at ARS, Liu served was associate director of the National Library of Medicine and of its computer and communications system, according to the release. He held leadership positions with the U.S. departments of Justice and Treasury. He also previously worked in the private private sector in information system development and space mission studies in support of NASA's mission and operations.
"Dr. Liu's decades of public service and previous leadership roles within ARS make him the perfect fit to lead the agency into the future," Jacobs-Young said in the release. "His experience, expertise and dedication to excellence in both program and administration will continue to serve ARS well as a premier scientific organization."
