Harvard creates new, University-wide committee to guide interdisciplinary efforts in science

The Harvard Corporation has authorized the establishment of a new, University-wide standing committee on science and engineering to guide the University into a new era of collaborative, cross-disciplinary science initiatives. The Corporation also created a $50 million fund to provide initial support for the committee's work, pending the submission of a budget by the committee.

At the same time, the Corporation asked Harvard Interim President Derek Bok and Provost Steven Hyman to work with interested Deans and Harvard-affiliated hospitals to develop plans for a new, interfaculty Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, for Corporation final approval this spring.

The creation of the Harvard University Science and Engineering Committee (HUSEC) and establishment of new University-wide science departments were among the chief recommendations in the December 2006 report on "Enhancing Science and Engineering at Harvard," prepared over the course of the past year by a University-wide committee of Harvard scientists and Deans.