Steve Koonin
Steve Koonin is a Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. He is one of the country's most distinguished scientists and a renowned authority on climate science and energy technologies. Prior to joining Stanford in 2024, Koonin was a Professor at New York University and spent almost 30 years as a Professor of theoretical physics at Caltech. He is the former Undersecretary of Science at the Department of Energy during the Obama administration, where his portfolio included the climate research program and energy technology strategy. Before joining the government, he spent five years as Chief Scientist for BP, where he played a central role in establishing the Energy Biosciences Institute.
Steve Koonin Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Senior Fellow
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Professor of Information, Operations and Management Sciences
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Professor of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences
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Under Secretary for Science
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Chief Scientist
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Professor of Theoretical Physics
Academic History
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Ph.D., Theoretical Physics
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B.S., Physics
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Member, JASON
Member, National Academy of Sciences
Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Independent Governor, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
NYU
Koonin is an award-winning classroom teacher and his public lectures are noted for their clarity in conveying complex subjects.
He was a Professor at NYU, with appointments in the Stern School of Business, the Tandon School of Engineering, and the Department of Physics.
He was appointed as the Founding Director of NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress in April 2012.
The Center focuses on research and education on the acquisition, integration, and analysis of big data for big cities.
CALTECH
Koonin joined the faculty at CalTech as an Assistant Professor of theoretical physics, and served as the institute's provost for nine years.
He facilitated the research of more than 300 scientists and engineers and catalyzed the development of the world's largest optical telescope.
He also guided research initiatives in computational science, bioengineering, and the biological sciences.
ENERGY
Koonin developed the long-range technology strategy for alternative and renewable energy sources at BP.
He oversaw technical activities across the Department of Energy's science, energy, and security activities.
He was the lead author of DOE's Strategic Plan (2011) and the inaugural Department of Energy Quadrennial Technology Review (2011).
He chaired the National Academies’ Divisional Committee for Engineering and Physical Sciences from 2014 to 2019 and was a trustee of the Institute for Defense Analyses from 2014‒24.