National Science Foundation (NSF)

As society advances, the pool of talented individuals expands, bringing unique perspectives to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. ?? In this episode of "The Discovery Files," Keivan Stassun, a professor of physics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University, discusses astronomy ? and his efforts to expand diversity in #STEM fields. He also shares some of the discoveries emerging from his work at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and his recent MacArthur Fellowship, which recognizes these contributions. Watch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/4i3gYKb.

NSF is proud to announce that four #NSFsupported researchers were awarded the MacArthur Genius Grant! The MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant honors the extraordinary talent, creativity and potential in recipients — scientists, writers, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs and more — by offering no-strings-attached fellowships of $800,000. Among the recipients of the 2024 "Genius Grant" are Vanderbilt University Keivan Guadalupe Stassun, a distinguished astrophysicist renowned for dedicating his career to expanding opportunities in STEM for underrepresented groups, Benjamin Van Mooy, a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ocean scientist dedicated to studying the impacts that microbial organisms like plankton have on marine ecosystems, and two evolutionary biologists, Joseph Parker Caltech and Martha Mu?oz Yale University, who are exploring the intricacies of species adaptation. These exceptional individuals are not only making significant contributions to their respective fields but are also actively working to create a positive impact on global challenges. Interestingly, each of them has a notable connection to NSF, underscoring the importance of their research in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing critical environmental issues. https://bit.ly/4f2eWaB ??: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation/ Adobe Stock

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan had a productive week traveling abroad, connecting with international counterparts, exploring opportunities for global collaboration and celebrating academic achievements. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the director's dynamic week began with a meeting with Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, permanent secretary for National Research and Development and chairman of A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research. The two discussed standing collaborations between Singapore and the United States. They pursued opportunities to deepen research collaborations between the two nations to fuel the translation of discovery to social impact through innovation. Later that day, Panchanathan met with National Research Foundation Singapore CEO John Lim Hua Ern, to tour the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE). The director met with researchers from CREATE to witness firsthand how a global network drives innovation. On Tuesday night, Panchanathan presented at the National University of Singapore. The director guided the audience through the crucial impact of NSF-supported research and underscored areas for future strategic collaborations to uncover the full potential of scientific discovery. The following day, Nov. 20, the director continued his Singapore trip by meeting with A*STAR CEO Beh Kian Teik to gain insight into Singapore's investment ecosystem. Later, Panchanathan met with Senior Minister Teo Chee Huan and delegates to discuss advancing mutual progress by enhancing access to resources, infrastructure and expertise. Afterward, the director sat down with Minister Josephine Teo of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information to discuss the best methods to maintain a robust cybersecurity system and exchanged ideas to advance U.S.-Singapore's critical and emerging technology initiatives. The director concluded his travels in Singapore by participating in an industry roundtable on cybersecurity and privacy. As one of the most significant challenges to information technology in the digital age, the director emphasized the need to foster global partnerships with like-minded partners who build on best practices to combat cyberthreats. After Singapore, Panchanathan traveled to India to attend the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning convocation ceremony on Friday, Nov. 22. As the chief guest, the director gave the inaugural address to congratulate the class of 2024 on their significant academic achievements.

Origami-inspired robotic plants twist and turn in tough-to-reach spots to gather data in the wild. ?? Engineers supported by NSF, including electrical and computer engineers from Clemson University, collaborated with mechanical engineers from Virginia Tech to create robots designed with origami-inspired trunks and branches. These #robots are equipped with sensors that mimic plants' growth, adaptation and survival habits while also monitoring and collecting data in natural environments. #NSFfunded Watch to find out how it works with NSF Science Now: https://bit.ly/3OnYPc8.

It's impossible to accurately predict droughts and floods without knowing where water travels, a top-to-bottom accounting from treetops to bedrock — and such data is so sparse, that it is impossible to get the full picture from observations alone. To address data gaps, researchers use large simulations that require enormous computing resources. Those powerful simulations can help us better understand exactly how water flows, but they are expensive to access and unavailable to most communities. Using artificial intelligence, a new project from the NSF-led National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot is trying to address those limitations by creating a "digital twin" of the entire continental U.S. water cycle, above and below the ground surface.?The digital twin will rely on AI-powered by physics and machine learning principles, as well as continuously updated water data. Led by?Princeton Universityand the?University of Arizona,?the researchers hope to track water, and predict scarcity, with unprecedented accuracy, precision and speed, generating monthly, national forecasts, in real-time, every day. Publicly hosted, freely accessible and user-friendly, the HydroGEN platform will help communities across the United States prepare as climate patterns shift.?https://bit.ly/410CCZz

Happy National Entrepreneur's Day! ? From 2016 to 2023, America's Seed Fund, powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, awarded over 3,600 grants to ambitious startups and small businesses. Annually, we invest over $200 million in research and development for around 400 companies across diverse technology areas and market sectors. We are dedicated to transforming scientific and engineering discoveries into innovative products and services that make a lasting impact. Today, and throughout this month, we honor the spirit of entrepreneurship, particularly small business owners, who create jobs and drive positive changes across America. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/48X4QWO. #NSFSBIR #EntrepreneursDay

Calling all educators, parents and mentors of young game developers and innovators! ???? On Nov. 21, 2024, at 4 p.m. EST, we will host a one-hour NSF Game Maker Awards webinar with experts from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We'll discuss how to help the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs safeguard their innovations by covering topics like: ?? Intellectual property fundamentals: How kids can protect their game and software creations. ?? Patenting apps and software: Insights into U.S. patent practices for software and apps. Register today! https://bit.ly/4frH87A #NSF75 #NSFGameMakerAwards

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan spent the week commemorating NSF's leading efforts in strengthening partnerships and supporting research empowering individuals and communities to promote a better, safer, healthier world. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Panchanathan joined the NSF Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (NSF OSDBU) in receiving the National Veteran’s Small Business Coalition (NVSBC)’s Champion Award for the third consecutive year. The award recognizes the federal agencies that achieved their goals for contract awards to veteran-owned small businesses. This recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of NSF’s outstanding efforts to engage with and empower veteran entrepreneurs. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the director attended the Embassy of Sweden in USA's gala dinner to honor the 2024 American Nobel laureates at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. Panchanathan joined Swedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin to celebrate the astounding and transformative accomplishments of this year's winners, including seven laureates supported by NSF. In his remarks at the Nobel dinner, the director emphasized NSF’s crucial role in supporting fundamental research and continued efforts to grow its impact by expanding strategic investments and fostering international collaborations. NSF has supported 268 Nobel laureates across all scientific disciplines and is proud to have played a role in discoveries that push the frontiers of knowledge. On Thursday, Nov. 14, the director met with Chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OH) to thank him for his outstanding leadership at the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in ensuring the U.S. remains in the vanguard of science and technology, and for his strong support for science and NSF's vital mission. Later that day, the director published a LinkedIn article discussing the significant impact that federal investments have on Nobel laureates' research. Panchanathan stressed the need to grow and accelerate federal support so the U.S. can remain a global leader in research. https://bit.ly/4fMLWUX

As artificial intelligence (#AI) becomes more integrated in various aspects of society, NSF is ensuring it’s done responsibly. Investing in research and development as well as responsibly deploying new and evolving technologies internally is the comprehensive twofold system NSF uses to conduct its work on AI. Dorothy Aronson, the division director and chief data officer serving as the assistant chief information officer for AI is focused on the latter. She sits down with Nextgov/FCW to explain NSF’s AI policies, including her role and responsibilities, how they may evolve over time, her team dynamics, their main priorities and how to create policies to ensure responsible use of AI over its life cycle. Check out the full interview: https://bit.ly/3CFpizl ??: Charlotte Geary/NSF #artificialintelligence #researchanddevelopment #emergingtechnology

Nobel Prizes celebrate individual achievements that result from years of hard work to better understand our world. While these prizes highlight personal success, winners often thank their colleagues, mentors, and U.S. federal agencies for their support. The U.S. National Science Foundation has helped nearly 270 laureates with critical funding at crucial times in their careers. Discoveries by Nobel laureates, like the CRISPR technology, greatly affect our economy, safety, and health. In his latest article, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan highlights the crucial need for ongoing investment in research to drive innovation and progress ?