Dear campus community,
It is with much pride that I share with you the exciting news that President Joseph Biden has nominated our very own Dr. Laurie Locascio to be the next Under Secretary for Standards and Technology in the Department of Commerce, subject to Senate confirmation.
As Vice President for Research for the University of Maryland and University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. Locascio currently oversees a vibrant research and innovation enterprise at these two campuses, which garner a combined $1.1 billion in external research funding each year. Within Dr. Locascio’s purview are the development of large interdisciplinary research programs, technology commercialization, innovation and economic development efforts, and strategic partnerships with industry, federal, academic, and nonprofit collaborators.
Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Dr. Locascio had a long fruitful career as a researcher, innovator, and scientific leader at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Her last role at the institute was Acting Principal Deputy Director and Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. In that position, she was responsible for leading the internal scientific research and laboratory programs across two campuses in Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO.
Dr. Locascio received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from James Madison University, a Master’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. As a biomedical researcher, she published more than 100 scientific papers and 11 patents.
With this depth and breadth of experience, Dr. Locascio is perfectly suited to lead NIST with distinction. President Biden’s nomination is a reflection of her excellence and accomplishment, and it also reflects well on everyone associated with our highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research enterprise at the University of Maryland.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Locascio on this incredible opportunity.
Sincerely,
Darryll J. Pines
President, University of Maryland
He/Him/His
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