Arati Prabhakar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arati Prabhakar
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024
|
|
| 12th Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy | |
| In office October 3, 2022 – January 20, 2025 |
|
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Alondra Nelson (acting) |
| 22nd Science Advisor to the President | |
| In office October 3, 2022 – January 20, 2025 |
|
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Francis Collins (acting) |
| 20th Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency | |
| In office July 30, 2012 – January 20, 2017 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Regina E. Dugan |
| Succeeded by | Steven Walker |
| 10th Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology | |
| In office 1993–1997 |
|
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Lyons |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Kammer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 2, 1959 New Delhi, India |
| Citizenship | India (1959–67) United States (1967–present) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Texas Tech University (BS) California Institute of Technology (MS, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Applied physics |
| Institutions | National Institute of Standards and Technology U.S. Venture Partners Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency |
| Thesis | Investigation of Deep Level Defects in Semiconductor Material Systems (1985) |
| Doctoral advisor | Thomas McGill |
Arati Prabhakar (born February 2, 1959) is an American engineer and important public official. She has worked in top science and technology roles for the U.S. government. From October 2022, she served as the main science advisor to President Joe Biden.
She also led the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This office helps the President make decisions about science and technology. Before this, she was the director of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). She also led the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arati Prabhakar was born in New Delhi, India. When she was three years old, her family moved to the United States. Her mother wanted to get a special degree in social work in Chicago.
Arati grew up in Lubbock, Texas, starting when she was ten. Her mother always encouraged her to study hard. She wanted Arati to get a doctorate degree.
College and Advanced Degrees
In 1979, Arati earned her first degree. It was a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in electrical engineering. She got this from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
She then went on to get more degrees. In 1980, she earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in electrical engineering. In 1984, she received her Ph.D. in applied physics. Both of these advanced degrees were from the California Institute of Technology. She was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in applied physics from Caltech.
Her Career in Science and Technology
After finishing her Ph.D., Arati Prabhakar moved to Washington, D.C.. She worked with the government on science and technology issues.
Early Government Roles
From 1986 to 1993, she worked at DARPA. This agency develops new technologies for the military. She started as a program manager. Later, she became the first director of DARPA's Microelectronics Technology Office.
At just 34 years old, Arati Prabhakar became the head of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST helps create standards for technology and measurements. She held this important position from 1993 to 1997. She was the first woman to lead NIST.
Work in Private Companies
After her time at NIST, she worked in private companies. She was the Chief Technology Officer at Raychem from 1997 to 1998. This role means she was in charge of the company's technology plans.
She then worked at Interval Research from 1998 to 2000. From 2001 to 2011, she joined U.S. Venture Partners. This company invests in new businesses. She focused on companies working on green technology and information technology.
Leading DARPA Again
On July 30, 2012, she returned to DARPA. She became the director again, leading the agency until January 2017. DARPA is known for supporting breakthrough research.
In 2019, she started a nonprofit organization called Actuate. This group focuses on big challenges like climate change and chronic diseases.
Working with President Biden
In 2022, President Joe Biden chose Arati Prabhakar for two major roles. She became the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She also became the Science Advisor to the President.
This was a historic moment. She became the first woman, person of color, and immigrant to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She was also the first woman and person of color to be the President's Science Advisor.
Arati Prabhakar has given President Biden important advice. For example, she has advised him on how to make sure artificial intelligence (AI) is used safely.
Awards and Recognitions
Arati Prabhakar has received many honors for her work. She is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In 1997, she was named an IEEE Fellow. This was for her leadership in helping industry and government work together. Their goal was to improve technology for making computer chips.
She is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This is a very respected group of engineers. Both Texas Tech University and California Institute of Technology have honored her as a distinguished former student.
She helps guide the Pew Research Center. She is also part of the U.S. National Academies' Science Technology and Economic Policy Board. She was on the board of directors for SRI International in 2012. She also advised the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.
Arati Prabhakar is featured in the Notable Women in Computing cards. These cards highlight important women in computer science.
