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
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
John Marburger