ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Panchanathan to lead Phoenix Quantum Strategy initiative
Mayor Gallego described Panchanathan as uniquely qualified to lead the effort.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Sat, 25, Apr 2026
- 09:04 EDT
- 28
Sethuraman Panchanathan / Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University
Indian American computer scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan will lead the newly launched Phoenix Quantum Strategy initiative announced by Mayor Kate Gallego to position the city as a national hub for quantum technologies.
Unveiled during Gallego’s State of the City address, the strategy aims to accelerate Phoenix’s push into advanced fields such as quantum computing, communications, and sensing, building on the city’s recent economic momentum and growth in high-tech industries.
Also Read: Panchanathan, Gupta to receive Hofstra University honorary degrees
Gallego described Panchanathan as uniquely qualified to lead the effort, pointing to his tenure as director of the National Science Foundation, where he helped shape the United States’ innovation agenda and advanced emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation wireless systems.
In her address Gallego said, "We have the very best person in the country to lead it: the former director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, known to many simply as ‘Panch’. Panch’s leadership at ASU and NSF helped shape America’s innovation agenda, and now he’s ready to lead the efforts for Phoenix.”
Before his time at NSF, Panchanathan spent more than two decades at Arizona State University, where he founded key programs such as the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing, the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, and the Department of Biomedical Informatics. He also served as executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise and chief research and innovation officer.
Commenting on the initiative, Panchanathan said the initiative comes at a critical moment as cities compete to lead in breakthrough technologies. He emphasized that Phoenix’s strengths in semiconductors, supply chains, and biosciences, combined with its academic and research ecosystem, position it well to build a robust quantum innovation pipeline.
“ASU and other institutions are an incredible source of talent that can unleash new ideas, skilled workforce, entrepreneurs, and the emergence of new industries,” he said, backing the mayor’s vision for the city.
The initiative is expected to bring together industry, higher education, and government to drive research, workforce development, and commercialization in quantum technologies.
Gallego said the move signals Phoenix’s ambition to move beyond participation in emerging tech and establish itself as a leader shaping the future of innovation.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login