WASHINGTON — Gregory H. Symmes today was named chief operating officer of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and executive officer of the National Research Council (NRC), the operating arm of the NAS.

The NAS, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and NRC work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which conduct dozens of peer-reviewed studies and hold hundreds of workshops and other activities each year to inform public discourse and policymaking with evidence-based advice. These private, nonprofit institutions operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the NAS, signed by President Lincoln.

Symmes previously served as chief program officer of the NRC, where he led efforts to develop cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative mechanisms, including rapid expert consultations, to deliver timely scientific findings to inform decision-makers in crisis situations.

In his new position, Symmes will continue to oversee the NRC’s seven program divisions and other key units, while also becoming an executive official of the NAS, responsible for leadership and management of its core functions.

“This appointment in many ways recognizes and formalizes the role that Greg has already been playing in leading the National Academies,” said NAS President Marcia McNutt. “More recently, Greg has spearheaded efforts to more strategically position us to meet the changing needs of policymakers and society, and I am confident he will build upon that work in his new position. I have been fortunate to have Greg’s counsel for many years, and I know we can count on his ongoing guidance and commitment to our mission.”

“I am honored to be named to this position, and I very much look forward to leading our staff and working closely with our members and other distinguished experts as the National Academies continue to use insights from science, engineering, and medicine to prepare the nation for the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing world,” said Symmes.

Symmes began his career at the National Academies in 1995 and served as executive director of the Division on Earth and Life Studies and other leadership positions and directed studies on a range of policy issues such as climate change science, mining on federal lands, radioactive waste management, and scientific peer review. Prior to joining the National Academies, he served as research assistant professor at the State University of New York Stony Brook. He holds a B.A. in geology from Amherst College and a Ph.D. in geology from Johns Hopkins University.

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