'Mad-Scientist Hair' Moniz Lauded for Iranian Nuclear Deal

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, described by The Washington Post as "a nuclear physicist with mad-scientist hair," is emerging as a congenial conduit between the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Obama administration when it comes to the Iran deal.

The White House has credited the highly accomplished Moniz — he earned a bachelor of science degree summa cum laude in physics from Boston College; a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University; and honorary degrees from the University of Athens, the University of Erlangen-Nurenberg, Michigan State University and Universidad Pontificia de Comillas — as its "secret weapon" for successfully negotiating a deal with Tehran that will "prevent the rogue country from securing a nuclear weapon," according to the Post.

Despite his highly scientific mind, Moniz has a "natural ability to translate complex scientific concepts into digestible terms," as well as an easygoing demeanor, a winning combination that has earned him the respect of lawmakers who may otherwise be skeptical of the deal.

"I thought his tone was very good," New York Rep. Peter King, a Republican, who has been critical of Secretary of State John Kerry’s "very offensive" tone.

North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, a vocal critic of the deal with Iran, gave Moniz props for his ability to explain things to those without a background in science.

"I’ve worked with him a lot, because I work on a lot of energy issues," Hoeven told the Post. "I mean the guy is a nuclear physicist — he can be very technical if he wants to be. But he’s also careful to put things in layman’s terms."

Moniz, born in Massachusetts to Portuguese immigrant parents, has also become a bit of a social media star, the Huffington Post reports, most notably for wearing his silver hair in a bobbed coif.

"Do you think Obama feels more pressure during this speech because an actual funding father is in the audience?" @ismashfizzle posted on Twitter during the State of the Union address, where Moniz was seated in the gallery.

Do you think Obama feels more pressure during this speech because an actual founding father is in the audience? pic.twitter.com/vyPrYFecM0

— Ashley C. Ford (@iSmashFizzle) January 21, 2015

Another Twitter post this week from @Lima_Naveau said "Trump's not the only guy who's got hair. Energy secretary Ernest Moniz."

Trump's not the only guy who's got hair. Energy secretary Ernest Moniz... pic.twitter.com/PZ12N4O7HH

— Jim Naveau (@Lima_Naveau) July 28, 2015

Just before Moniz’s Senate confirmation as Energy Secretary two years ago, a Twitter account with the hashtag #ErnestMonizHair was created and a poster wrote "Senate Energy Committee may confirm me next week! (via @DarrenGoode) Hairs to them!"

Senate Energy Committee has confirmed me! Hairs to me!

— ErnestMonizHair (@ErnestMonizHair) April 19, 2013

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