The year 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the NSF Directorate for Engineering, which was established on March 8, 1981. From the beginning, the Directorate's support for engineering breakthroughs helped create the nation's future security, prosperity, and technological leadership.
Today, NSF continues to invest in fundamental engineering research across manufacturing, infrastructure, sustainability, health, and many other areas. These investments will continue Engineering's legacy in the decades to come.
May 10 Celebration
We celebrated four decades of creating the future on May 10, 2021.
Distinguished leaders shared their insights on the past, present, and future of engineering. Dr. Linda Blevins, NSF Deputy Assistant Director for Engineering, was master of ceremonies.
Watch the recorded celebration of the 40th anniversary of the NSF Directorate for Engineering.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Welcome from Dr. Dawn Tilbury, NSF Assistant Director for Engineering |
| 11:05 | Remarks from Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF Director (2020- ) |
| 11:20 | Video interlude featuring Ms. Kimberly Bryant and Dr. Bruce Kramer |
| 11:25 | Remarks from Dr. John B. Slaughter, former NSF Director (1980-1982) |
| 11:40 | Video interlude featuring Dr. Carmiña Londoño and Dr. Andre Marshall |
| 11:45 | Panel discussion with NSF Engineering leaders, past and present Dr. Richard Buckius, former Assistant Director for Engineering (2006-2008) Dr. Thomas Peterson, former Assistant Director for Engineering (2009-2012) Dr. Pramod Khargonekar, former Assistant Director for Engineering (2013-2016) Dr. Dawn Tilbury, Assistant Director for Engineering (2017- ) Moderated by Dr. Leah Jamieson, Chair of the NSF Directorate for Engineering Advisory Committee |
| 12:45 | Video interlude featuring Dr. Frances Arnold |
| 12:50 | Closing remarks from Dr. Dawn Tilbury, NSF Assistant Director for Engineering |
| 1:00 | End of formal program |
Stories of Engineering History
Dr. Frances Arnold, winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2018, describes the impact of NSF support. From the early days of her career, NSF supported research that led to directed evolution.
Ms. Kimberly Bryant, who began her decades-long NSF career in the Engineering Directorate, recalls some tough transitions to new electronic systems.
Dr. Carmiña Londoño describes how the NSF Engineering Research Centers program makes societal impacts and the vision of its long-serving leader, Lynn Preston.
Dr. Andre Marshall, who was on an NSF Innovation Corps team in 2012, saw another side of the program when he came to the NSF Engineering Directorate to run I-Corps.
Dr. Bruce Kramer shares manufacturing breakthroughs that began with NSF Engineering and his work on the national strategy for advanced manufacturing.