Global change research estimates the future atmospheric concentrations and rate of change in atmospheric carbon dioxide and selected other energy-related emissions and seeks to understand and predict potential effects of the emissions on climate and biota. The scope of the research encompasses the global carbon cycle, climate modeling and diagnostics, ecosystem responses, and ocean-atmosphere interactions in global change, and quantitatively linking greenhouse gases to climate change. Specific emphasis is placed on atmospheric radiation measurement to define the role of clouds in climate and to rapidly apply the emerging advanced computer architecture and software for accelerated development of climate models. Improved understanding of the global carbon cycle is obtained from field measurements and experiments. Carbon cycle research also provides scientific information for evaluating biological mechanisms of carbon sequestration by terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems.
Life sciences research conducts a broad program of basic and applied biological research.
Medical applications research is directed to clinical and other beneficial applications of energy-related technologies for improved study, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases by exploiting new isotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, advanced diagnostic and biomedical instrumentation, and innovative molecular biology technologies. From 1992-1995 OBER sponsored separate postdoctoral fellowship programs entitled Global Change Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships and Human Genome Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships. However, beginning with the 1996 program cycle, postdoctoral fellowships for applicants proposing to do research on human genome or global change projects were included as part of the Hollaender program.