Chennai-born Sethuraman Panchanathan named 2026 Bueche Award recipient, first Indian American to receive honour

Indian American engineer and technology policy expert Sethuraman Panchanathan has been named the 2026 recipient of the Arthur M. Bueche Award by the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE), making him the first Indian American to receive the honour in its more than 40-year history.

Panchanathan, a University Professor of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU) and former director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), will receive the award in October at the NAE's annual meeting in Washington, DC.

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The award recognises contributions to US science and technology policy, technological development and collaboration between industry, government and universities.

The NAE honoured Panchanathan "for leadership in promoting fundamental science, technology and policy that advances translational research and expands opportunities nationwide."

From Chennai to US science leadership

Panchanathan's interest in science began in Chennai. In 1969, when he was eight, he stood in a queue with his father outside the American Center to see rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.

"The rocks were just rocks," Panchanathan recalled. "But what fascinated me was all the human ingenuity and scientific prowess that went into bringing them here."

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That experience became an early influence on his career in engineering, research, technology policy and higher education.

Panchanathan served as the 15th director of the NSF, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. During his tenure, the agency created a new directorate for the first time in more than 30 years to accelerate the translation of science and technology into economic progress, national security and societal impact.

Before joining the NSF, he led ASU's Knowledge Enterprise and served as its chief research and innovation officer. According to ASU, the university's research volume tripled during his tenure.

AI and quantum computing

Panchanathan has returned to ASU, where his work includes artificial intelligence, quantum computing and the future of higher education.

In April, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego appointed him to lead the city's quantum strategy. He is also working on a vision for higher education in an era of artificial intelligence, including stronger partnerships between universities and high-tech industries.

ASU President Michael M. Crow described Panchanathan as "one of the most remarkable systems thinkers we have in this country".

“This award is a national recognition of what we have known here at ASU for some time, which is that when big problems need to be solved, Panch needs to be in the room," Crow said.

Panchanathan said the award also reflected the contribution of people he worked with throughout his career.

"I'm honoured and humbled by this recognition," Panchanathan said. "Awards like this are never only about the individual. They are about the scores of people that have contributed to the outcomes recognized. I owe my inspiration to my family, teachers and mentors, and to the many students and colleagues I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with throughout my career."

Panchanathan was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2024 and is the first person from Arizona to receive the Bueche Award. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025.

The Arthur M. Bueche Award will be presented to him in October at the NAE's annual meeting in Washington, DC.

(With inputs from TOI)