Asmeret Asefaw Berhe started in May 2022 as head of the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science (SC), which manages the most federal dollars for basic physical sciences research—$8.2 billion for the current fiscal year. She was the first person of color to lead the agency. She resigned in March to return to her professorship in soil biogeochemistry at the University of California, Merced.
Berhe spoke to Physics Today on 21 March, a few days before leaving office, about her accomplishments and SC’s efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The text of the interview was edited for clarity and length.
PT: Why are you leaving after less than two years on the job?
Berhe: To be fair, it’s been three years since I started this journey, including the 13 months I had to wait for Senate confirmation. It’s a combination of personal and professional reasons. I’ve been gone from...
