Leadership Transition at Brookhaven National Laboratory
September 23, 2025
Dear Stony Brook University Community,
We are reaching out to share important information regarding leadership of the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Earlier this month, Laboratory Director JoAnne Hewett shared her decision to step down as director, effective today, September 23, 2025. We are delighted that JoAnne will assume her role as a tenured faculty member in the nationally recognized Department of Physics and Astronomy and C.N. Yang Institute of Theoretical Physics.
The BSA Board has asked current Deputy Director for Science and Technology John Hill to assume the role of interim director, and he has agreed to do so. BSA will begin a competitive search for JoAnne’s successor. During the transition, our focus will be on maintaining and building on our many collaborations with BNL and supporting the new leadership in continuing its important mission for the nation. As a member of BSA, Stony Brook remains deeply committed to ensuring that BNL continues to thrive as a world-class research institution.
We thank JoAnne for her stewardship of the Lab over the past two years. Under her leadership, JoAnne advanced the Lab’s scientific mission and sought new opportunities to strengthen connections between BNL and Stony Brook, including creating new joint appointments. As Lab Director, JoAnne oversaw significant progress in the Electron-Ion Collider project, guided the Lab to deliver on Department of Energy and national needs, including in quantum information science, AI, and medical radioisotope production. She also focused on renewing Lab infrastructure and improving facilities and services for employees, guests, and users.
Please join us in welcoming JoAnne to the Stony Brook faculty and in supporting John
in this key interim position.
Andrea Goldsmith
President, Stony Brook University
BSA Board Co-Chair
Richard Reeder
Associate Vice President for Brookhaven National Laboratory Affairs