A Message from CCST’s New Board Chair, Dr. Andy McIlroy

As we conclude our 9th annual CCST Science & Technology Week at the Capitol, during which policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and members of the public alike discussed how scientific evidence can inform policy, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) reaffirms a principle core to our mission: Science and technology for the public interest are essential to California’s long-term prosperity, economic resilience, and global leadership. 

California’s strength is rooted in its steadfast commitment to scientific progress – anchored by world-class universities, federal laboratories, a culture of innovation, and public investment in the state’s diverse research enterprise. This foundation has enabled scientific discovery and its translation into actionable policies that strengthen our economy, support our workforce, safeguard public health, and advance environmental sustainability.

Going forward, California has a significant opportunity to advance our legacy of scientific progress. Maintaining our global leadership in science and technology will depend on sustained commitment and collaboration across communities, academia, laboratories, industry, philanthropy, and government. Investments that are strategically designed, grounded in evidence, and aligned with long-term public benefit can reinforce California’s position as a hub of innovation while ensuring broad societal returns.

Looking toward my tenure as Chair of CCST’s Board of Directors, I am deeply grateful to Peter Cowhey, who served eight years as Board Chair and helped steward this organization for nearly two decades. Building on his visionary leadership, I am optimistic about California’s future and passionate about CCST’s role in supporting it. 

CCST’s charge is to serve as a trusted, nonpartisan convener of expert science and technology advice for California policymakers, powered by an unparalleled partner network. Together with the CCST Board of Directors, I remain committed to that mission, as California shapes the next chapter of its science and technology enterprise in service of the well-being of all Californians. 

As outlined in our Strategic Plan, CCST’s next chapter introduces bold initiatives to help policymakers meet the demands of the moment. These include launching our first-ever Legislative Staff Academy, focused on AI; establishing a Science Residency program, beginning with CCST’s first Science Advisor to a Governor’s Cabinet Secretary; rolling out the new Science and Technology to Advance Resilience (STAR) Initiative; continuing to invest in our flagship Science & Technology Policy Fellowship; and expanding our work on energy, environment, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies such as quantum and fusion.

I am honored to serve CCST, highlight the dedication of its outstanding team, and work alongside a remarkable community of scientists, engineers, policymakers, and civic leaders who share a commitment to ensuring that California’s decisions are informed by the best available evidence. Together, we will continue strengthening the connection between science and policy so that California remains a place where discovery, innovation, and public service work hand in hand to improve lives today and for generations to come.

Andrew McIlroy, PhD, is Chair of the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) and recently retired from Sandia National Laboratories, where he served as Associate Laboratories Director for Integrated Security Solutions and led the California laboratory. Over a more than three-decade career at Sandia, he held numerous leadership roles advancing national security, energy, and technology innovation.