Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, senior vice president of ASU's Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development and a senior sustainability scientist, is one of 27 individuals selected to serve on the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE). The council will operate as an independent entity within the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which is housed within the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.

NACIE members, who were chosen by Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker based on their ability to carry out the objectives of the council, will serve a two-year term. As a council member, Panchanathan will advise the secretary on issues related to accelerating innovation, expanding entrepreneurship and developing a globally competitive workforce.