Laurie Locascio Is Sworn in as the 17th NIST Director

Laurie Locascio, the former Vice President for research at the University of Maryland, was sworn in as the 17th director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on April 19th. She was sworn in two weeks after the Senate approved her nomination on April 7th.

Her Education and Background

Locascio has a B.S. in chemistry from James Madison University, an M.S. in bioengineering from the University of Utah, and a Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Locascio’s History with the NIST

Locascio was most recently the Vice President for research at the University of Maryland. However, she was not there for long as she spent 31 years working at NIST.

She started as a biomedical research engineer, and she eventually became the head of the NIST’s Material Measurement Laboratory. Additionally, she spent time as the acting associate director for laboratory programs. Locascio provided direction and guidance for several NIST lab research programs in this position.

Her Role with the NIST

Locascio has a background in chemistry and biomedical engineering, but as director of NIST, she will oversee all organization sectors. NIST conducts research and develops standards in many disciplines, including cybersecurity, health care, greenhouse gas measurement, computing, manufacturing, and quantum physics.

Although she will not provide expert insight in areas she does not have expertise in, she will oversee all operations. As a result, her decisions will influence the organization’s cybersecurity sector.

Locascio is expected to guide collaborative efforts with government agencies and help NIST continue to develop and apply measurements and standards needed for innovative products and services.

Contact GSec LLC with Any Questions

It is unlikely that there will be significant changes to NIST’s cybersecurity sector under Locascio. However, contact us if you have any questions about how Locascio’s appointment as the new director of NIST will affect the cybersecurity sector. We will be more than happy to help!

By: Alex O’Reilly

Sources: https://www.printedelectronicsnow.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2022-04-20/laurie-locascio-confirmed-as-the-17th-nist-director/

https://executivegov.com/2022/04/longtime-nist-official-laurie-locascio-returns-as-director/

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2022/04/laurie-locascio-confirmed-17th-nist-director