National Science Foundation Director Resigns

Sethuraman Panchanathan has left the scientific research funding agency before the end of his six-year term.

Director of the National Science Foundation Sethuraman Panchanathan testifies during the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing to examine CHIPS and science implementation and oversight on Oct. 4, 2023. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), resigned on Thursday after more than five years at the helm of the agency responsible for distributing billions of dollars in scientific research funding.

“I believe that I have done all I can to advance the mission of the agency and feel that it is time to pass the baton to new leadership,” Panchanathan, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019 and confirmed by the Senate in 2020 to a six-year term, wrote in his resignation letter.