Peer review group members will be selected based upon their training or experience in relevant scientific or technical fields, taking into account the following factors:

(a) The level of formal scientific or technical education by the individual;

(b) The extent to which the individual has engaged in relevant research, the capacities in which the individual has done so (e.g., principal investigator, assistant), and the quality of such research;

(c) Professional recognition as reflected by awards and other honors received from scientific and professional organizations outside of the Department;

(d) The need of the group to include within its membership experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific or technical fields;

(e) The need of the group to include within its membership experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., universities, industry, private consultant(s)) and geographic locations; and

(f) The need of the group to maintain a balanced membership, e.g., minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution.