Obama Administration Official Kumar Garg Joins Society for Science & the Public as Senior Fellow WASHINGTON, DC (MARCH 29, 2017) -- The Society for Science & the Public today announced that Kumar Garg has joined the organization as a Senior Fellow. At the Society, Kumar will join the leadership team and offer his expertise as a leading policymaker and strategist to the Society’s mission of cultivating scientific understanding among children and adults. Kumar helped shape science and technology policy for the Obama Administration for nearly eight years, serving in a variety of roles in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), most recently Assistant Director for Learning and Innovation. He led the Obama Administration’s efforts to bolster STEM education, including the Educate to Innovate campaign with over $1 billion in in-kind and philanthropic investment, development of major State of the Union initiatives to train 100,000 excellent STEM teachers and bring computer science to all K-12 students and creation of iconic events, such as the White House Science Fair. “Kumar’s work through initiatives like the White House Science Fair and the Educate to Innovate campaign underscore his understanding of and commitment to expanding and promoting STEM education,” said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. “We are thrilled to have him on board.” “The Society for Science & the Public is a national treasure, and I’m excited to be part of an organization devoted to science and building opportunities for American youth,” said Kumar Garg. Kumar helped supervise a team of 20 staff with portfolios ranging from biotechnology, entrepreneurship, space, advanced manufacturing, broadband, nanotechnology, behavioral sciences, the Maker Movement, digital media, prizes and broader innovation policy. "Kumar played a critical role in advancing President Obama’s ambitious STEM education agenda – from the iconic White House Science Fair to the initiative to prepare and recruit 100,000 high-quality STEM teachers,” said Tom Kalil, Deputy Director of the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “Even in a White House of extraordinarily talented public servants, Kumar was second to none in his creativity and effectiveness, and there is no limit to what he can accomplish in the years to come.” Before joining the White House, Kumar worked on behalf of parents and children seeking educational reform as an education lawyer and advocate. Kumar received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a law degree from Yale Law School. ## About Society for Science & the Public Society for Science & the Public is dedicated to the achievement of young scientists in independent research and to public engagement in science. Established in 1921, Society is a nonprofit whose vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning magazine, Science News and Science News for Students, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science). MEDIA CONTACT: Gayle Kansagor 202-872-5103 [email protected] .