ASU's Panchanathan wins prestigious honor in India for scientific contributions
India President Droupadi Murmu presents Arizona State University Professor Sethuraman Panchanathan, the former director of the National Science Foundation, with the Padma Shri during a ceremony in New Delhi on May 27. He was awarded the Padma Shri as a symbol of national gratitude for his contributions to science. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Home Affairs
Arizona State University Professor Sethuraman Panchanathan, the former director of the National Science Foundation, has been awarded the Padma Shri, a prestigious civilian honor, in India.
India President Droupadi Murmu conferred the award at an investiture ceremony in New Delhi on May 27. The Padma Shri is symbol of national gratitude in India and is awarded for excellence in the fields of art, education, industry, science, medicine, social service and public affairs.
“I am honored and humbled to be chosen to receive this award,” Panchanathan told ASU News in a morning chat from India on Tuesday.
“This award really epitomizes the contributions of many people — including my colleagues from the NSF and ASU. We have established strong relationships and strong bridges, and this award truly belongs to many.
“I am deeply grateful. It means a lot to me. We have been working on establishing a strong U.S.-India science and technology partnership, and over the past five years we have really strengthened that partnership.
“This is how the world’s oldest democracy and the largest democracy can work together to bring success and prosperity to both countries. The future is so very bright.”
At the investiture ceremony, Panchanathan was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has highlighted the importance of leveraging science and innovation to advance the country.
As he returns to ASU as University Professor for Technology and Innovation, Panchanathan said he looks forward to further strengthening educational partnerships between the U.S. and India, as “science, technology and innovation partnerships are the backbone of our future success.”
“I am pleased with the work that ASU is doing in India,” he said. “Our students here and our research partnerships with industry in both nations is something that can continue to enrich students and set the stage for the future.”
With more than 6,600 students from India enrolled in fall 2024, ASU is the top university home in the U.S. for students from India. ASU’s Indian alumni network exceeds 12,600 alumni, with more than 7,000 graduating in the past decade.
Panchanathan, the Foundation Chair in Computing and Informatics in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at ASU, was director of the NSF until his resignation in April. He was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2020. Prior to that, in 2014, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Science Board.
Before becoming director of the NSF, Panchanathan, who was born in Chennai, India, spent more than 20 years in leadership positions at Arizona State University, including as executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise and chief research and technology officer.
A prolific inventor, Panchanathan has several patents and copyrights and published close to 500 papers in prestigious journals and conferences. His interest in machine learning, AI, and assistive and rehabilitative technologies led him to create the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing at ASU, which has produced several devices that enhance the quality of life for people with and without disabilities.
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