Former US National Science Foundation director becomes the first Indian-American recipient of the Arthur M. Bueche Award
Indian-American scientist and technology policy expert Sethuraman Panchanathan has been named the recipient of the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), marking a historic achievement in the award’s more than four-decade history.
Panchanathan, a University Professor of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU), is the first Indian-American to receive the honour. He is also the first person from Arizona to be selected for the award, which recognises leadership in science and technology policy, technological development and collaboration between industry, government and universities.
The NAE said Panchanathan was honoured for his leadership in advancing fundamental science, technology and policy, promoting translational research and expanding opportunities across the United States
Born in India, Panchanathan developed an early interest in science during a visit to the American Center in Chennai in 1969. As an eight-year-old, he saw rocks brought back from the Moon during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission. The scientific achievement behind the mission, rather than the lunar samples themselves, sparked his fascination with engineering and innovation.
He later built a distinguished career in research, higher education and public policy. Panchanathan served as the 15th director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), overseeing the agency during the Covid-19 pandemic and a period of intense scientific research.
During his tenure, the NSF established a new directorate focused on turning scientific and technological advances into economic, national security and social benefits.
Before joining the NSF, he held senior research and innovation positions at Arizona State University, where he led its Knowledge Enterprise. The university said its research volume tripled during his tenure in that role.
Panchanathan has since returned to ASU, where his work includes artificial intelligence, quantum computing and the future of higher education. In April, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego appointed him to lead the city’s quantum strategy.
He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2024 and received India’s Padma Shri in 2025.
The Arthur M. Bueche Award will be presented to Panchanathan in October at the NAE’s annual meeting in Washington, DC.
