Overview
- The White House tapped Harvard cosmologist Avi Loeb to head an outside scientific team that reports to a new UAP governance board overseen by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
- Loeb's team has already asked the Pentagon for more than 50 videos, images and documents tied to reported unidentified anomalous phenomena as it begins closed-door work.
- The advisory group blends university scientists, former military officials and UFO activists including retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet and tech investor Ben Lamm.
- Many scientists have criticized Loeb for publicizing exotic claims and for methods that bypass traditional peer review while former Pentagon investigators have noted his limited national security experience.
- Supporters say the effort could improve data collection and clarify unexplained reports but the mix of personnel and closed meetings raises questions about scientific rigor, transparency and how findings will be received.