The U.S. National Science Foundation has selected University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor David Berkowitz as assistant director for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate. He will start in the role on Sept. 9.

Berkowitz, Elmer H. and Rudy M. Cordes professor of chemistry at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, will manage the NSF mathematical and physical sciences team and oversee the investment portfolios for the divisions of astronomical sciences, chemistry, mathematical sciences, materials research, physics and the Office of Strategic Initiatives, with a total budget of approximately $1.7 billion.

With exceptional leadership and team-building skills and a proven track record for supporting diverse talent and cutting-edge research, Berkowitz has fostered domestic and international partnerships with industry, academia and other government organizations. For example, in April, he helped launch the first NSF chemistry-industry joint solicitation; namely the Molecular Foundations for Sustainability - Sustainable Polymers Enabled by Emerging Data Analytics program. This new partnership with industry is joint with the NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate and the Office of Strategic Initiatives. It aims to support the development of sustainable polymers.

"David Berkowitz's extensive knowledge and expertise at the interface of chemistry, biology and engineering are an invaluable addition to NSF's work to advancing the frontiers of science and research," said Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the NSF. "His superior leadership capabilities, combined with his proven track record for supporting diverse talent and cutting-edge research, will help accelerate our nation's progress at the forefront of discovery and innovation. Dr. Berkowitz is not new to the agency. The experience he brings with him from his time as a division director and program director will put him on track to lead the way from day one. I eagerly await his insight and perspective." 

Berkowitz's NSF Experience

As division director (2020-2024), Berkowitz guided the NSF Chemistry Division through the pandemic, while managing the division's investment portfolio. The work included multimillion-dollar grants aimed at tackling grand challenges in chemistry, such as the seven NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation, as well as key chemistry infrastructure at frontline facilities, like the Argonne National Lab and the NSF National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Berkowitz has fostered domestic and international partnerships with industry, academia and other government organizations. Under his leadership, in 2021, the NSF Chemistry Division launched the Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology program — a multi-divisional, multi-directorate partnership to fund high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research across the frontiers of biotechnology. In February, under his guidance, the program announced an interagency partnership with the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute to develop RNA-based methods for biotech innovations. This is the first interagency partnership with NIH for the NSF Chemistry Division.

Beyond NSF

Berkowitz’s career includes co-chairing (since 2021) the White House Office of Science Technology Policy's Sustainable Chemistry Strategy Team, and he spearheaded its Sustainable Chemistry Report in 2023. Berkowitz is a fellow of both the American Chemical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science; has served on the National Academies of Science Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology and Chemical Sciences Roundtable; and has been recognized as an Alfred P. Sloan research fellow.  

"I am truly honored to have been selected for this important leadership role for the MPS Directorate and its core fundamental science mission," Berkowitz said. "I am eager to build on the strong leadership and scientific momentum at the agency today, with so many opportunities to bring the power of basic research and the promise of emerging technologies to bear on grand challenges in the mathematical and physical sciences." 

Berkowitz's Research Focus

Berkowitz lab explores solutions at the interface of chemistry and biology, particularly at the nexus of synthetic organic chemistry and mechanistic enzymology. He co-leads the Nebraska Drug Discovery and Development Pipeline, a collaboration to build team science around drug discovery and development, which has made a huge impact on biomedical science research in the state.

Berkowitz also serves as a co-principal investigator on a Defense Health Agency-funded $24.5 million project to develop a first-of-its-kind prophylactic to help protect U.S. troops from radiation exposure. 

Education and Background

Berkowitz has a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago, a doctoral degree from Harvard University, and he was a Merck Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University. 

Berkowitz Looks Forward to Representing UNL

"It's a huge honor and an awesome responsibility to serve the nation," Berkowitz said. "I have a lot of experience, but that didn’t mean that this isn’t extremely competitive."

Berkowitz said he was on vacation in France with his wife when he got the call about the position. He attributes all his success to his students, both graduate and undergraduate.

“I owe this mostly to them and the university,” Berkowitz said. “I hope to represent UNL proudly.”