Associate Vice Chancellor Emerita Lynne Parker will be returning to the White House this month to serve as the executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and as counselor to the director of the Office of Science and Technology (OSTP).
President-elect Donald Trump announced Parker’s appointment in late December.
PCAST is a body of advisors from outside the federal government charged with making science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations to the President and the White House. The independent Federal Advisory Committee is comprised of distinguished individuals from industry, academia, and non-profit organizations with a range of perspectives and expertise.
The OSTP is tasked with providing advice to the President, and the Executive Office of the President, on matters related to science and technology, as well as coordinating the administration’s science and tech policy among the assorted federal departments and agencies.
“I’m deeply honored and excited to be returning to the White House to contribute to advancing our nation’s work in science, technology, and innovation,” Parker said. “This opportunity aligns closely with my personal passion for exploring how scientific discovery and technological advancement can help address our country’s most pressing challenges and improve the lives of all Americans.”
A recognized expert in artificial intelligence, Parker previously served as the U.S. deputy chief technology officer, the assistant director for artificial intelligence in the OSTP, and was the founding director of the National Artificial Initiative Office before returning to UT in 2022 to lead the AI Tennessee Initiative at UT.
A Knoxville native, Parker earned her bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech University (’83), her master’s from UT (’88), and her doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (’94), all in computer science.
Parker retired from UT in May after more than two decades as a faculty member and senior administrator.
In her new White House roles, Parker hopes to foster innovation and strengthen the nation’s leadership in science and technology.
“Our team’s work with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology will be vital, as it serves as a bridge between the nation’s scientific and technological expertise and the highest levels of government decision-making,” Parker said. “This team will provide evidence-based recommendations to the President on a wide range of issues, ensuring that policies are informed by the latest scientific discoveries and technological advancements.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, rpotkey@utk.edu)