Diane L. Souvaine, a professor of computer science at Tufts University in Massachusetts, was elected chair of the National Science Board, the governing authority of the National Science Foundation. The National Science Board is an independent advisor to both the president and Congress on policies related to science and engineering, and also education in those disciplines.
Professor Souvaine was first appointed to the National Science Board in 2008 by President George W. Bush. She was reappointed by President Obama in 2014. Dr. Souvaine will serve a two-year term as chair.
Dr. Souvaine joined the faculty at Tufts University in 1998. From 2012 to 2106, she was vice provost for research. Earlier, she served as chair of the department of computer science for seven years. She taught at Rutgers University in New Jersey for 12 years before joining the Tufts University faculty.
Professor Souvaine is a graduate of Harvard University, where she majored in English and American language and literature. She holds master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science and a Ph.D. in computer science from Princeton University.