Obama Nominates Suresh to Lead NSF

It's official. As first reported in March by ScienceInsider, President Barack Obama has chosen Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineering (MIT) Dean Subra Suresh to be the next director of the National Science Foundation.

Suresh, 53, would replace Arden Bement, who stepped down last week 6 months before the end of his 6-year term. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, Suresh has made significant contributions to the emerging field of nanobiomechanics. Since becoming dean in July 2007 he's been a vocal advocate for greater interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering and with MIT's other schools and programs.

A 1977 graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, he earned his doctoral degree from MIT in 1981 and taught at Brown University before joining the MIT faculty as professor of mechanical engineering in 1993.

His nomination must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Cora Marrett is currently acting NSF director.

*This article has been corrected. Suresh joined MIT in 1993, not 1994 as originally reported.