2021 Bromley Memorial Event: Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

The Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan is a computer scientist and engineer and the 15th director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF is an $8.5B independent federal agency and the only government agency charged with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and STEM education.

Dr. Panchanathan has a distinguished career in science, technology, engineering, and education that spans more than three decades. He served as executive vice president of the Arizona State University Knowledge Enterprise, where he also founded the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing.

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. Dr. Panchanathan’s scientific contributions have advanced the areas of human-centered multimedia computing, haptic user interfaces, person-centered ubiquitous computing technologies for empowering individuals with a range of abilities.

Director, ISSTP and Professor of Economics and International Affairs, George Washington University

Director, ISSP and Full Professor at the School of Political Studies, uOttawa

Vice-President, Research, uOttawa

PhD Candidate in Environmental Geography at the University of Ottawa

Celeste Digiovanni is a second-year PhD Candidate in Environmental Geography at the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on the collaborative management of fisheries on the west coast of Vancouver Island. More specifically, Celeste interrogates the ancillary outcomes of this management style in hopes of posing recommendations towards the governance of transient resources. Celeste is also employed by Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans as an Analyst in Strategic and Reconciliation Policy. Celeste received her Master’s degree in Environmental Sociology, where she developed a sustainability program called ‘H 2 Ottawa’. What ties her roles together is Celeste’s passion for mobilizing and translating knowledge amongst and between groups, for the better and more informed management of natural resources.

Masters candidate in International Science and Technology Policy at the Elliott School, George Washington University

Brennan Hoban is a second-year Masters candidate in the International Science and Technology Policy at the Elliott School, studying the intersection of economic and technology policy with a focus on place-based innovation policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from American University. Brennan currently works at McKinsey & Company in their Public and Social Sector Practice. She has held past positions at the Brookings Institution and has interned for InterAction in Washington, D.C. and for the U.S. Department of State in Rome. Brennan also studied Urdu as a Global Giver Fellow through the Global Language Network and currently volunteers at the National Press Club.