John Marburger

John Marburger
Portrait of John Marburger, c. 2001
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
In office 2001–2009
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Neal Francis Lane
Succeeded by	John Holdren
Personal details
Born	February 8, 1941 Staten Island, New York
Died	July 28, 2011(2011-07-28) (aged 70) Port Jefferson, New York
Political party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	Princeton University Stanford University

John Harmen Marburger III (February 8, 1941 – July 28, 2011) was an American physicist who directed the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the administration of President George W. Bush, serving as the Science Advisor to the President. His tenure was marked by controversy regarding his defense of the administration against allegations from over two dozen Nobel Laureates, amongst others, that scientific evidence was being suppressed or ignored in policy decisions, including those relating to stem cell research and global warming. However, he has also been credited with keeping the political effects of the September 11 attacks from harming science research—by ensuring that tighter visa controls did not hinder the movement of those engaged in scientific research—and with increasing awareness of the relationship between science and government. He also served as the President of Stony Brook University from 1980 until 1994, and director of Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1998 until 2001.

Marburger was born on Staten Island, New York, to Virginia Smith and John H. Marburger Jr., and grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. He attended Princeton University, graduating in 1962 with a B.A. in Physics, followed by a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University in 1967.

After completing his education, he served as a professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California in 1966, specializing in the theoretical physics of nonlinear optics and quantum optics, and co-founded the Center for Laser Studies at that institution. He rose to become chairman of the physics department in 1972, and then Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in 1976. He was engaged as a public speaker on science, including hosting a series of educational television programs on CBS. He was also outspoken on campus issues, and was designated the university's spokesperson during a scandal over preferential treatment of athletes.