News Release 11-077
NSF Director Wraps Up Visit to Iowa, Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Met with representatives from Iowa industry, agriculture, researchers and educators
April 15, 2011
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Today, National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Subra Suresh concluded a two-day visit to Iowa, specifically Iowa State University. Suresh, an Iowa State graduate, received a distinguished alumni award for his contributions to the engineering field at a public ceremony.
"I am honored to receive this distinguished alumni award from Iowa State University, one of many institutions that play a critical role in the nation's research, science and engineering education enterprise," said Suresh. "The United States has been a beacon of excellence in science and engineering research and education. The mission of NSF is to sustain that excellence as we continue to lead the way for the important discoveries and cutting-edge technologies that will help keep our nation globally competitive, prosperous, and secure."
Suresh has spent the last two days meeting with key NSF stakeholders from Iowa industry, agriculture and small start-up companies, as well as researchers and educators from across the spectrum, including teachers, public school administrators and new faculty members. The discussion is expected to help keep the lines of communication open and build public-private partnerships to ensure that every nugget of research may evolve into multiple innovations--maintaining America's economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
NSF funded over 240 awards totaling more than $57 million in the state of Iowa in fiscal year 2010, to support basic research in fields associated with clean energy, clean water, improving infrastructure and improving the nation's math and science teachers, among others, spurring innovation to put the economy back on solid footing.
NSF funds more than 20 percent of all U.S. university-based research and more than 50 percent of all non-medical research in U.S. universities and academic institutions. The agency also supports 82 percent of computer science research and more than 80 percent of mathematics research in academic institutions.
-NSF-
-
Suresh heard from educators at all levels during a STEM education roundtable at Iowa State.
Credit and Larger Version -
While at Iowa State, Suresh met with his advisor for his master's thesis, Shyam Bahadur.
Credit and Larger Version -
Suresh appears with Balaji Narasimhan, Vlasta Klima Balloun Professor of Engineering at Iowa State.
Credit and Larger Version
Media Contacts
Deborah Wing, NSF, (703) 292-5344, email: dwing@nsf.gov
Related Websites
NSF Director Subra Suresh Biography: http://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/suresh/suresh_bio.jsp
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/
Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov