President Donald Trump has announced plans to nominate a key leader of Arizona State University's research, partnership and economic development efforts to head the National Science Foundation.
If confirmed by the Senate, Sethuraman Panchanathan would serve as the 15th director of the NSF.
The federal agency funds about 24% of all federally supported basic research in American colleges and universities.
Since 2014, Panchanathan has served on the National Science Board, which advises the president and the NSF, and sets the agency's policies.
He also has served on the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and, in 2018, was appointed as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's senior adviser for Science & Technology.
Panchanathan currently leads ASU's Knowledge Enterprise, which helps drive the university's research, innovation and entrepreneurship efforts.
