Head Of Science At Smithsonian To Step Down

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of science research at the Smithsonian Institution has announced she is stepping down after four years in the post.

The museum and research complex announced Wednesday that Eva Pell will retire from her post as undersecretary for science in March. She joined the Smithsonian in January 2010.

Pell oversees the Smithsonian's science museums, research centers around the world and the National Zoo in Washington. She helped lead an effort to foster research collaborations across various disciplines and helped create a global network of observatories to monitor the effects of climate change in coastal waters.

As an environmental scientist, Pell spent 35 years as a professor at Pennsylvania State University before joining the Smithsonian.

Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough has appointed scientist John Kress as interim undersecretary for science.

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