President Biden recently appointed Keivan Stassun, Vanderbilt University’s Stevenson Professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, to serve on the National Science Board (NSB).
Stassun, who has been honored with many awards in his field, has seen his research on stars and exoplanets appear in more than 500 peer-reviewed journal articles.
The NSB created the National Science Foundation (NSF), which supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering, in which the board directs the goals and workings of. The NSB also serves as an independent body of advisors to both the President and the Congress on policy matters related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering.
Specifically, Vanderbilt’s Stassun will be on the board that determines NSF policies and strategic budget directions, approves new major programs and awards, and submits the annual budget to the Office of Management and Budget in the White House.
“Stassun has been a leader and advocate for broadening participation in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics], especially of underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities,” a White House press release states.
Stassun is one of eight new members appointed to the NSB.
They are experts in education, biochemistry, remote sensing, engineering, astronomy, material science, and public engagement. Their voices will be crucial to helping the Board shape its policies and direction. Welcome, all! pic.twitter.com/MeUaBDmPu4
— National Science Board (@NSF_NSB) January 19, 2023
“There is no question that this high-level appointment is not only a recognition of the fact of Vanderbilt’s investment in astrophysics, but importantly of the way in which Vanderbilt has made its investment, resulting in an astrophysics program that is arguably unique in the nation by virtue of its dual commitment to excellence in the technical and human aspects of the science,” Stassun said in a statement.
NSB members serve six-year terms.
“I am delighted that President Biden has appointed these world-class scientific and engineering leaders to the National Science Board,” Arati Prabhakar, Office of Science and Technology Policy Director and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, said in a statement. “I am especially proud that the President’s appointments will make this the most diverse National Science Board in history, working to deliver results for every American.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Keivan Stassun” by Vanderbilt University. Photo “Joe Biden” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Raul654. CC BY-SA 3.0.
