Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the US National Science Foundation, will address University of Vermont's newest graduates at the school's commencement ceremony May 21. Panchanathan will also receive an honorary degree, along with Michele Cohen, a founding members of the UVM Foundation Board, and Dr Mark Levine, Vermont commissioner of health.
Panchanathan has a distinguished career in science, technology, engineering and education spanning more than three decades. He has led NSF, a $9.5 billion independent federal agency charged with advancing scientific discovery, technological innovation, and STEM education, since 2020.
“In addition to being a brilliant scientist and a committed public servant, Dr Panchanathan is one of the warmest and most engaging leaders I know,” said UVM President Suresh Garimella. “His advocacy for building global connections, for welcoming people of all backgrounds into education and research, and for advancing discovery for the greatest social benefit will be welcomed enthusiastically at UVM.”
Born and raised in Chennai, India, Panchanathan earned degrees from the top-ranked Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru and the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras before emigrating to Canada, where he received a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Ottawa.
Prior to becoming director of NSF, Panchanathan served on the National Science Board for six years and has also served on and chaired numerous high-level research and innovation organizations. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, and other prestigious science and engineering organizations.
“America is the land of opportunity, founded on the belief that that no matter who you are or where you are from, if you work hard and have the right opportunities, you can achieve amazing things,” Panchanathan said. “I myself have personally benefited from this belief.”
Cohen, a 1972 UVM graduate, is retired from Cohen & Steers Capital Management in New York City. She and her husband, Marty, provided funding for renovations that created UVM's Cohen Hall for the Integrative Creative Arts.
Levine was appointed commissioner of health by Governor Phil Scott and began service in 2017. When the world was suddenly confronted by an unprecedented pandemic in 2020, Levine became a reassuring voice for Vermonters as he calmly presented evidence-based COVID-19 updates and sound public health guidance.