|
Richard F. Kayser, Ph.D. is Chief Scientist of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md. He serves in this capacity while away from his position as Director of the NIST Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory. As Chief Scientist, Kayser manages NIST's daily operations and assists in setting strategic directions. The agency promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST's FY 2008 resources total $931.5 million and the agency employs about 2,900 scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff and administrative personnel at two main locations in Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO. Along with the Department of Energy Office of Science, and the National Science Foundation, NIST is slated for substantial budget increases for its core research programs under the President's American Competitiveness Initiative. With a Sc.B. degree in physical chemistry from Brown University and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Rice University, Kayser arrived at the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in 1976. Over the next 10 years, Kayser performed research and published approximately 40 peer-reviewed papers. Kayser became Chief of the Thermophysics Division in 1989 and Chief of the Physical and Chemical Properties Division in 1996. He assumed the position of Director of Technology Services in 1999, the position of Acting Deputy Director of NIST in 2004 and the position of Director of the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory in 2005. He began a second stint as Acting Deputy Director of NIST in September 2007, and now carries out many of those responsibilities on an interim basis as Chief Scientist. In recognition of his service, the Department of Commerce has awarded Kayser with Bronze (1983) and Silver Medals (1996 and 1999). Kayser also received the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 1997 and 2007, the Sigma Xi Outstanding Young Scientist Award in 1987, and the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation Outstanding Achievement Award in 2000. In addition to having held a variety of other external positions, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of ASTM International. Return to the NIST Office of the Director Home Page Page created: 11/09/07 |
Dr. Richard F. Kayser, Chief Scientist