Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently welcomed Susan Margulies, Ph.D., leader of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering, to its campus to learn about RPI research and education capabilities, participate in a workforce development panel discussion, and give a presentation on NSF programs and opportunities to RPI community members and representatives from the University at Albany, Siena College, and Union College. 

“The National Science Foundation is a critical partner. With NSF support, our faculty and students make research breakthroughs that impact our communities, our nation, and the world,” said Robert Hull, RPI vice president for research. “We were delighted and honored to host Dr. Margulies at RPI, and her insights and questions throughout the day were invaluable and energizing.” 

During her presentation, titled “Transforming our World for a Better Tomorrow,” Margulies introduced NSF’s engineering research, workforce, and partnership priorities, and stressed the importance of convergence research and engaging the end user in the very beginning of any project. 

She also outlined NSF’s support for several emerging industries — advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information technology, and semiconductors and microelectronics — all areas of great relevance for RPI and New York. 

Prior to her presentation, Margulies met with RPI President Martin A. Schmidt and toured RPI’s Micro and Nanofabrication Cleanroom, the Manufacturing Innovation Learning Lab, and the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Margulies then joined a panel discussion at the NORDTECH Workforce Development Summit. Moderated by President Schmidt, the panel included Dave Anderson, president of NY CREATES; Erin Gawron-Hyla, workforce development lead with the U.S. Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons; Alex Oscilowski, president of TEL Technology Center America; and Janine Rush-Byers, director of strategic university partnerships with Micron. 

During the panel, Margulies characterized one of the main challenges of building the semiconductor workforce, asking “How do we reach families, teachers, and communities early so that students say, ‘this is what I want to do, this is exciting, I see myself doing this? Do we bring them in for experiential opportunities at early stages, or we engage with them via outreach and communication?” 

She continued, “NSF has a broad and deep history of stimulating these types of workforce development opportunities for our nation across all areas.”

Margulies also emphasized the need for mentoring networks that connect universities and the semiconductor industry, an approach already under development through programs at RPI and elsewhere. 

After the panel, Margulies toured RPI’s IBM Quantum System One, the first such system ever housed on a university campus in the world. From there, she participated in networking and breakout sessions with leaders and researchers at RPI, Union College, and Siena College. 

“Meeting the workforce challenge in semiconductors and other industries will require government, industry, and higher education institutions working together, and we were proud to host this collaboration on our campus,” Schmidt said. “We thank Dr. Margulies for her dedication to this approach and look forward to working with her and NSF to strengthen the chips and engineering pipeline.”