Indian American technologist Arvind Raman becomes NIST Director

Indian American engineer and academic leader Arvind Raman has officially assumed leadership of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), becoming the agency’s 18th director and the fifth U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. His appointment places an accomplished researcher with deep ties to advanced manufacturing and engineering innovation at the helm of one of America’s most influential scientific institutions.

Confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year, Raman will oversee NIST’s broad mission of advancing measurement science, technology standards, and research that support critical sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. The agency plays a central role in strengthening U.S. technological competitiveness by working closely with industry, universities, startups, and federal agencies.

Before joining NIST, Raman served as the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering at Purdue University, where he championed interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and engineering education. His scientific work has focused on atomic force microscopy, electronics manufacturing, and biomechanics, earning recognition as one of the nation’s leading mechanical engineering researchers.

Originally from India, Raman completed his Bachelor of Technology at IIT Delhi before pursuing graduate studies in the United States, earning a master’s degree from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout his career, he has maintained strong collaborations with NIST scientists, particularly in nanotechnology research.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised Raman’s ability to bridge academic research and industrial innovation, expressing confidence that his leadership will help accelerate America's scientific and manufacturing capabilities. Raman has emphasized that his priority will be strengthening partnerships that transform research discoveries into real-world technologies while ensuring the United States remains a global leader in innovation.

His appointment also highlights the growing contributions of Indian American scientists and engineers in shaping U.S. research institutions and national technology policy. As global competition intensifies in emerging technologies, Raman's leadership is expected to play a key role in advancing standards, innovation, and next-generation scientific breakthroughs.