Indian-American scientist Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan has taken charge as director of the National Science Foundation, the top American body supporting fundamental research in non-medical fields of science and engineering in the country.

Unanimously confirmed by the Senate last week, Panchanathan, 58, from the Arizona State University, replaced White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Dr Kelvin Droegemeier who served as acting director of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The term of previous NSF director France Cordova’s term ended in March 2020.

On Monday, President Donald Trump formally appointed Panchanathan as the 15th director of the NSF, the top American science funding body that has an annual budget of $7.4 billion, the White House said on Tuesday, adding that it is a six-year term.

Droegemeier is expected to swear in Panchanathan on July 2, 2020. “Dr Panchanathan has the creativity, tenacity, communication skills, understanding of the research enterprise, and commitment to lead this agency successfully and continue moving the scientific enterprise forward.”