WASHINGTON -- The Senate has confirmed geneticist Eric Lander to be President Joe Biden's chief science adviser, one of the last unfilled Cabinet posts in the Biden administration. At his confirmation hearing last month, Lander apologized for a 2016 article he wrote that downplayed the work of the female scientists. He only met with Epstein twice, in 2012, Lander said, and never requested or received funds from Epstein or his foundation. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said at a May 20 committee meeting that she wished Biden had named a woman as science adviser, but that Lander had pledged to work to elevate women and minorities in science. Lander's confirmation leaves Biden's Cabinet nearly complete.

Source: ABC News May 28, 2021 20:15 UTC