President Obama appoints ASU’s Panchanathan to National Science Board
Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan (seated at far left) has been selected by the president to serve on the national board that guides U.S. leaders on science and technology policy decisions. Panchanathan is pictured with members of his lab team in the Center for Ubiquitous Computing (CUbiC) in the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering, one of ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Photography by Jessica Hochreiter/ASU
Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, Arizona State University’s senior vice president of the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development and the leader of ASU’s research, entrepreneurship and economic development efforts, has been appointed to the U.S. National Science Board by President Barack Obama.
In addition to his work with OKED, Panchanathan is a professor in ASU’s School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering. He is also director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing (CUbiC).
This marks first time an American of Indian origin has been appointed to this preeminent board, which focuses on national science and technology policy.
In making the announcement of Panchanathan’s and others’ appointments, President Obama said, “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles. I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
In addition to being an advisory body to the U.S. President and Congress on science and engineering issues, members of the 25-member board establish the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF) within the framework set forth by the president and Congress. The NSF is a major science-funding agency with an annual budget of $7.2 billion (FY 2014) and the goal of promoting the progress of science; advancing national health, prosperity and welfare; and securing national defense.
“Panch has worked tirelessly in advancing Arizona State and its rapidly growing research enterprise, promoting our unique capabilities and what we offer businesses and government agencies, and leading the way to a greater public understanding of the benefits that scientific research and technology development have to offer,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “Panch exemplifies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility that ASU aims to cultivate. It is fitting that he be on this important board so that his influence can extend to the benefit of the nation.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity to help our nation be in the vanguard of global competitiveness through the rapid advancement of science, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation,” Panchanathan said. “It is truly an honor to serve our nation in this capacity.”
Drawn from industry and universities, and representing a variety of science and engineering disciplines and geographic areas, NSB members are selected for their eminence in research, education or public service, and records of distinguished service. NSB members are appointed for six-year terms.
Panchanathan was recently named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He led a team that received two Microsoft Imagine Cup awards, and he has been chosen for the Governor’s Innovator of the Year for Academia award and the ASU Leadership Award.
Panchanathan has published or presented more than 400 papers in refereed journals and conferences, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Society for Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
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Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
