AAU sent a letter to Senate leaders urging them to quickly confirm Sethuraman Panchanathan as the director of the National Science Foundation. The letter says that Dr. Panchanathan’s extensive experience and credentials make him an ideal candidate for the position, including his work at Arizona State University and his tenure on the National Science Board. “NSF needs a permanent Director to provide necessary leadership for the agency, which is also is conducting important research on the pandemic,” the letter says.