ASU research head may lead Science Foundation
Panchanathan has been at university since 1997
An Arizona State University administrator could soon be the director of the National Science Foundation.
Sethuraman Panchanathan, known as "Panch" to most, is an executive vice president and the chief research and innovation officer at ASU.
The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will nominate Panchanathan to the NSF leadership position. The agency's director position is appointed by the president and needs confirmation by the U.S. Senate. A director's term lasts six years.
During his time at ASU, the university's research expenditures have increased dramatically, to $635 million in 2018.
He was appointed to the National Science Board in 2014, the first American of Indian origin to serve on the board, according to his ASU biography. The board oversees the National Science Foundation.
The foundation, a federal agency with an annual budget of more than $8 billion, funds nearly a quarter of all federally supported research at colleges and universities, the agency's website says.
"In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing," the foundation's website says.
Panchanathan has worked in various roles at ASU since 1997. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in India, and his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering in Canada, according to his curriculum vitae.
In 2017, Panchanathan was one of two finalists for president of the University of Arizona. The Arizona Board of Regents ultimately selected Robert Robbins to lead the university.
A 'bold, energizing presence'
The president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities praised the decision to nominate Panchanathan in a statement Thursday.
"Those of us in the public research university community have long admired his intellect, knowledge across disciplines, vision, and interest in collaborating across universities, industry, and government," Peter McPherson said of Panchanathan.
If confirmed, Panchanathan would succeed France Córdova, who leads the agency now, when her term expires in 2020.
In a statement, Córdova called Panchanathan a "bold, energizing presence on the National Science Board" and said she was "delighted" the White House chose him.
"This position requires the ability to connect with all stakeholders in the U.S. science and engineering community, walking the fine line between serving and leading," Córdova said. "Panch has the character and knowledge that make him an ideal fit for the job. As my own term draws to a close, I am heartened at the idea of Panch as my successor.”
The chair of the National Science Board, Diane Souvaine, also praised the decision. She noted his work at ASU has been key to the university's growth and position as a higher education innovator.
"He is the best kind of disruptor, one who understands that the best way to predict the future is to invent it," she said in a statement.
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