President Trump Nominates New Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF)

President Trump has nominated Dr. Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan as the next Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Pending Senate confirmation, his appointment will begin in March when current NSF Director France Córdova finishes her six-year term. Dr. Panchanathan holds a doctorate degree in both electrical and computer engineering and has served on the National Science Board since 2014.
 
NSF Director France Córdova issued a statement of support, siting Dr. Panchanathan “bold” and “energizing” presence on the National Science Board, and his leadership in the research community, as key attributes that will guide his tenure as NSF Director. National Science Board Chair Dr. Diane Souvaine too commented in support of the nomination, sharing that Dr. Panchanathan “is the best kind of disruptor, one who understands that the best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
 
Dr. Panchanathan is currently the chief innovation officer at Arizona State University and the executive vice president of the university’s “knowledge enterprise.” He is also a professor of computing and informatics. Dr. Panchanathan’s is expected to be confirmed by the Senate without opposition in the coming weeks.
 
To view the White House nomination and to learn more about Dr. Panchanathan background, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-individual-key-administration-post-19/.