NSF names new head of chemistry division

Abstract

University of Nebraska–Lincoln chemistry professor David Berkowitz has been named the new director of the National Science Foundation’s Division of Chemistry. Berkowitz, who started his new position on May 24, says he’s excited to be returning to the NSF. He spent 3 years there as a program director from 2010 to 2013, followed by a brief stint as interim division director in 2015. During his previous service, he was impressed by the permanent staff and their commitment to high-risk science and basic research, while at the same time considering the health and diversity of chemistry as a field. “I came to know the people, and they were so serious about the mission, I thought I’d like to work with this team” again if the opportunity came along, Berkowitz says. Chemistry plays an important role in some of the NSF’s major initiatives, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence, he says. Work