Dr. Martha Krebs, Director, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, is leaving her post, effective in "early December." After six years in the job, she noted that she was "the longest serving Director of Science in the history of the Department." In a letter to President Bill Clinton (see full text), the Presidential appointee said "It has been my deep honor to serve you, the Vice President, and three Secretaries of Energy in your administration," whom she said "have each supported the science mission of the Department with enthusiasm and commitment." She described "some of the many accomplishments of which you should be proud," including a variety of new research facilities. Of fusion, she said, "As the fusion program has moved toward a science-based program, their facilities at our laboratories and universities have become true user facilities, where research requires national and international collaborations. Most recently, the magnetic fusion and inertial fusion communities have joined to provide a consolidated plan for developing these different approaches for an eventual energy producing technology."

Krebs also thanked Secretary Richardson saying, "I have truly appreciated your enthusiasm for science and your willingness to speak out for science and the scientific community." In a note to "All Office of Science Employees," Krebs said "Nearly six years ago, when I began this job, I knew that the programs of the Office of Science were special among federal science organizations and I knew that I was honored to be chosen to lead you. I did not know then how important the people and the institutions of SC (Office of Science) would become to me. I did not know how satisfying this job would be in spite of and sometimes because of the challenges we would face and overcome.

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson issued a statement saying, "The Department of Energy and the nation owe Martha Krebs a debt of gratitude, for her stewardship for the past six years of some of the nation's premier scientific research. Her expertise, energy, vision, professionalism, and her leadership will sorely be missed."

Krebs succeeded Will Happer of Princeton University in the post in late 1993. Previously, since 1983, she had held the post of Associate Director for Planning and Development at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and, prior to that, she was Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Energy Development and Applications, House Committee on Science and Technology, U.S.Congress. She holds a Ph.D. in physics from Catholic University, where she specialized in the field of statistical mechanics.