Ashton Carter, now widely considered to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), shares something with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. All four have a doctorate in physics.

Although Carter has not pursued physics as a career, he has emerged in his various roles in and out of the Defense Department as a forceful advocate on the importance of scientific research in national defense. He may well act as a counterweight to budget-cutting lawmakers if President Barack Obama moves ahead to nominate him.

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