{"id":24483,"date":"2026-09-15T08:21:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T08:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=24483"},"modified":"2026-09-15T08:21:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T08:21:02","slug":"meet-indian-origin-scientist-sethuraman-panchanathan-the-first-indian-american-named-for-the-national-academy-of-engineerings-arthur-m-bueche-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=24483","title":{"rendered":"Meet Indian-origin scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan, the first Indian American named for the National Academy of Engineering&#8217;s Arthur M. Bueche Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134245999,imgsize-71912,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-history.jpg\" alt=\"Meet Indian-origin scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan, the first Indian American named for the National Academy of Engineering's Arthur M. Bueche Award\" title=\"He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history\">He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In 1969, eight-year-old Sethuraman Panchanathan stood in a queue outside the American Center in Chennai with his father and hundreds of others. They had come to see rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.<!-- --> The rocks themselves did not impress him as much as the science and engineering that had made their journey possible.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>\u201cThe rocks were just rocks,\u201d Panchanathan recalled as quoted by Arizona State University news. \u201cBut what fascinated me was all the human ingenuity and scientific prowess that went into bringing them here.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"5\"\/>That experience became an early influence on Panchanathan, who went on to build a career in engineering, science and technology policy. <!-- -->He is now a University Professor of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU) and the former director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF).<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has now named Panchanathan the recipient of the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award. The award recognises an engineer involved in US science and technology policy, technological development and strengthening links between industry, government and universities.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"13\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>What the Bueche Award recognises<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"15\"\/>The National Academies said Panchanathan was honoured \u201cfor leadership in promoting fundamental science, technology and policy that advances translational research and expands opportunities nationwide.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/>The award also recognises work that connects scientific research with practical use. Translational research refers to the process of moving scientific knowledge and discoveries towards applications that can have an impact beyond the laboratory.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/>ASU President Michael M. Crow described Panchanathan as \u201cone of the most remarkable systems thinkers we have in this country\u201d.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/>\u201cThis award is a national recognition of what we have known here at ASU for some time, which is that when big problems need to be solved, Panch needs to be in the room,\u201d Crow said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/>Panchanathan said he was honoured by the recognition but also stressed that the award was not only about him.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/>\u201cI\u2019m honoured and humbled by this recognition,\u201d Panchanathan said. <!-- -->\u201cAwards like this are never only about the individual. They are about the scores of people that have contributed to the outcomes recognized. I owe my inspiration to my family, teachers and mentors, and to the many students and colleagues I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with throughout my career.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>His work at the National Science Foundation<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"34\"\/>Panchanathan served as the 15th director of the National Science Foundation. His tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic and the race to develop a vaccine.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/>During his time at the NSF, a new directorate was created for the first time in more than 30 years. The directorate focuses on accelerating the translation of science and technology for economic progress, national security and societal impact in local and regional hubs across the US.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/>Before joining the NSF, Panchanathan had held senior research and innovation roles at Arizona State University. He led the university\u2019s Knowledge Enterprise and served as its chief research and innovation officer.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"42\"\/>According to ASU, research volume at the university tripled during his time in that role. The university was also named the most innovative university in the US by U.S. News and World Report.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>His work in AI and quantum computing<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>Panchanathan has since returned to Arizona State University, where his current work includes artificial intelligence, quantum computing and the future of higher education.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>In April, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego appointed him to lead the city\u2019s quantum strategy. <!-- -->He is also working on a vision for higher education in an age of artificial intelligence.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"52\"\/>His approach includes focusing on students\u2019 mindsets and building closer partnerships between universities and industries working in high-tech fields.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>A first for an Indian American<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"56\"\/>Panchanathan was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2024. The NAE is considered one of the highest honours for an American engineer.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"58\"\/>He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history. <!-- -->He is also the first person from Arizona to receive the award.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"62\"\/>The University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella nominated Panchanathan for the honour. The two universities are athletic rivals but also collaborate in higher education in Arizona.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>\u201cI am delighted to congratulate my friend and colleague Sethuraman Panchanathan on this well-deserved recognition from the National Academy of Engineering,\u201d Garimella said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"68\"\/>\u201cI have had the privilege of witnessing Panch&#8217;s combination of scientific vision and genuine commitment to expanding opportunity over many years and across many roles. Few people I know have translated those qualities into more lasting impact for our nation and the world.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"70\"\/>Panchanathan has also received recognition in India. In 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri. He was also included in lists recognising Indian American contributions to the US and the US-India relationship.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"72\"\/>The Arthur M. Bueche Award will be presented to Panchanathan in October at the National Academy of Engineering\u2019s annual meeting in Washington, DC.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/nri\/us-canada-news\/meet-indian-origin-scientist-sethuraman-panchanathan-the-first-indian-american-named-for-the-national-academy-of-engineerings-arthur-m-bueche-award\/articleshow\/134245314.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history In 1969, eight-year-old Sethuraman Panchanathan stood in a queue outside the American Center in Chennai with his father and hundreds of others. They had come to see rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor-150x150.avif","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor-300x169.avif","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"He is the first Indian American to receive the Arthur M. Bueche Award in its more than 40-year history In 1969, eight-year-old Sethuraman Panchanathan stood in a queue outside the American Center in Chennai with his father and hundreds of others. They had come to see rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":5,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor.avif",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor-300x169.avif",300,169,true],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/he-is-the-first-indian-american-to-receive-the-arthur-m-bueche-award-in-its-more-than-40-year-histor-150x150.avif",150,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}