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The Honorable Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC), is a theoretical physicist. Dr. Jackson was nominated to the Commission
and designated to become Chairman by President Bill Clinton. After confirmation by the U.S.
Senate, she was sworn in as a Commissioner on May 2, 1995, and assumed the Chairmanship
two months later, on July 1, 1995. Prior to joining the NRC, Dr. Jackson was a university
professor, research scientist, consultant and corporate director.
The Chairman is the principal executive officer of and the official spokesman for the
NRC, as mandated by the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980. As principal executive officer, the
Chairman is responsible for conducting the administrative, organizational, long-range planning,
budgetary, and certain personnel functions of the agency. She has ultimate authority for all NRC
functions pertaining to an emergency involving an NRC licensee. Her actions are governed by
the general policies of the Commission.
The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating nuclear facilities and
materials, and for conducting research in support of the licensing and regulatory process, as
mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of
1974, as amended, and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978; and in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and other applicable statutes. These
responsibilities include protection of public health and safety; protecting the environment;
protecting and safeguarding materials and nuclear facilities in the interest of national security;
and assuring conformity with antitrust laws. Agency functions are performed through standards-setting and rulemaking; technical reviews and studies; conduct of public hearings; issuance of
authorizations, permits, and licenses; inspection, investigation, and enforcement; evaluation of
operating experience; and confirmatory research. The Commission is composed of five
members, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, one of whom is designated by
the President as Chairman.
A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Jackson graduated from Roosevelt High School in
1964, as class valedictorian. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1968 and a
Ph.D. in the field of theoretical elementary particle physics in 1973, both from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
For 15 years, from 1976 until 1991, Dr. Jackson conducted research in theoretical
physics, solid state and quantum physics, and optical physics at AT&T Bell Laboratories in
Murray Hill, New Jersey.
From 1991 to 1995, Dr. Jackson was Professor of Physics at Rutgers University in
Piscataway, N.J., serving concurrently as a consultant in semiconductor theory to AT&T Bell
Laboratories.
Dr. Jackson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is a Fellow of
the American Physical Society, and is a member of a number of other professional organizations.
Dr. Jackson holds five honorary doctoral degrees from: Bloomfield College (NJ): 1991,
Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ): 1993, Cheyney University (PA): 1996, Villanova University
(PA): 1996, and St. Peter's College (NJ): 1997. In 1993 she was awarded the New Jersey
Governor's Award in Science (New Jersey's highest award to a State citizen).
She has served on the boards of directors of Public Service Enterprise Group and its
subsidiary, Public Service Electric and Gas Company, Sealed Air Corporation, CoreStates
Financial Corporation, CoreStates New Jersey National Bank, and New Jersey Resources
Corporation.
She is a Life Member of the M.I.T. Board of Trustees (the M.I.T. Corporation). She has
served on the Secretary of Energy's Task Force on the future of Department of Energy National
Laboratories, on research councils of the National Academy of Sciences, and on the Advisory
Council of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). She has been a member of the
Commission on the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Applications of the National Research
Council. Dr. Jackson has also served on a number of high level commissions in the State of New
Jersey, including the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology (1989-1995), and the
Governor's Economic Master Plan Commission (1994).
Dr. Jackson has achieved a number of firsts in her career. She is the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate from M.I.T.--in any subject. She is the first African-American to become a Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She is both
the first woman and the first African-American to serve as the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
With the May 1997 formation of the International Nuclear Regulator's Association, Dr.
Jackson was elected as the group's first Chairman. The Association is made up of the most
senior nuclear regulatory officials from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the
United Kingdom, and the United States.
Dr. Jackson was inducted into The National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998 for her
significant and profound contributions as a distinguished scientist and advocate for education,
science, and public policy. Her achievements are of enduring value to the progress and freedom
of women in this country.
On July 1, 1999, Dr. Jackson will become the 18th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute in Troy, New York.
Dr. Jackson is married to Dr. Morris A. Washington, also a physicist. They have one son,
Alan.
December 1998 |