2-Jul-09 1:00 PM EST

Professor Jim Gates Sworn In as a Member of the Maryland State Board of Education

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley administered the oath of office to Dr. Sylvester (Jiim) Gates for a seat on the Maryland State Board of Education.

Governor O'Malley had nominated Professor Gates to the board back in March 2009 when he remaked, “I am especially proud to make a number of appointments to fill key leadership positions on our State Board of Education, the University System Board of Regents and the Community Colleges Boards of Trustees to continue the progress we have made in building the No. 1 ranked school system in America, and making college more affordable for our families.”

Professor Gates was also recently appointed by President Obama to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). PCAST is council of leading scientists and engineers that advise and help formulate policy for the President and Vice President in the many areas where understanding of science, technology, and innovation is important.

The Maryland State Board of Education is a 12-member body appointed by the Governor. Members bring to their task a wide range of professional and civic experiences. Members serve staggered four-year terms and may serve two full terms.

Dr. Gates is a noted theoretical physicist. He has been featured on NOVA PBS programs on physics, most notably “The Elegant Universe” in 2003. He is currently the John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Gates received both his Bachelor of Science and PhD degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His doctoral thesis was the first thesis at MIT to deal with supersymmetry, and is known for his work on supersymmetry, supergravity, and superstring theory. He was President of the National Society of Black Physicists from 1993-1995.