If confirmed, Lane, 54, will replace Walter E. Massey, who left the foundation last March after a two-year stint to become senior vice president for academic affairs and provost for the University of California system. NSF, with an annual budget of nearly $3 billion, is one of the major sources for individual- investigator grants in the basic sciences.
Presidential science adviser John Gibbons, who assisted the White House personnel office in its search to replace Massey, says Lane's academic background as well as the year he spent as director of NSF's physics division (1979-80) give him the well- rounded experience needed to head the agency.
"I admire him and am delighted he's willing to come to Washington and help turn the commitments of this administration toward the continued strong support of basic science," says Gibbons. "And I hope he will provide the kind of leadership and energy within the NSF ...
