Sethuraman Panchanathan on Oct. 4, 2023. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
National Science Foundation director Sethuraman Panchanathan on Thursday announced he is stepping down from his post early.
Why it matters: Panchanathan still had 16 months to go before his six-year term ended. The agency is facing White House demands to cut more than half its budget and half of its staff.
- The agency has also been under DOGE scrutiny and had to halt grants that were at odds with President Trump's executive orders.
- Science was the first to report the news of Panchanathan's resignation.
What they're saying: "I believe I have done all I can to advance the critical mission of the agency and feel that it is time for me to pass the baton to new leadership," Panchanathan, who was nominated during President Trump's first term, said in a statement.
- "NSF is an extremely important investment to make U.S. scientific dominance a reality. We must not lose our competitive edge."
Catch up quick: NSF is at the center of programs to spur AI, quantum and other cutting edge technology research and development.
- Panchanathan late last year told Axios he was working Congress to make the case that NSF is worth funding.
