Dr. Jerry Farris, Environmental Biology Distinguished Professor, chaired and moderated a conference session on Environmental and Energy Research and Education in Washington, D.C., earlier this spring. This year's University-Federal Dialogue on Environmental and Energy Research and Education featured 30 senior leaders from 12 federal agencies. These leaders engaged in discussions with almost 150 faculty and senior administrators on the research and funding priorities of the Obama administration and the effects those research and funding priorities might have on higher education. The conference was sponsored by the National Council for Science and the Environment and also includes ASU in its Council of Environmental Deans and Directors.