During the final hours of its lame-duck session Jan. 2, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nominees to hold the roles of science adviser and "drug czar," STAT News reports.
Here are three things to know:
1. Kelvin Droegemeier, PhD, will serve as the director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy. Under President Trump, the department has seen its staff shrink and its role reduced as the administration continues to remain skeptical on some scientific issues, the report states.
2. Dr. Droegemeier has received largely positive reviews from members of the scientific community, including the agency's former director during the Obama administration, STAT reports. He is the first person to hold the position since President Trump's inauguration in January 2017.
3. The Senate also confirmed James Carroll to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In his role, Mr. Carroll will be responsible for crafting policies to stymie the national opioid epidemic, which reportedly claims the lives of 70,000 per year, according to the report. Mr. Carroll has served as the acting director for the agency since last February.
To access the full report, click here.