Semiconductor ecosystem veterans will guide strategic growth and innovation to support U.S.-based research and leadership
WASHINGTON, September 18, 2024 — Natcast today announced the addition of semiconductor ecosystem veterans Anantha Chandrakasan and Michael Splinter to its Board of Trustees. Natcast is the purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium, established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government.
“We are honored to welcome Anantha and Michael to the Natcast Board of Trustees,” said Robin Abrams, Interim Chair of Natcast’s Board of Trustees. “Their combined leadership and expertise make them invaluable contributors to the strategic guidance of Natcast, including engaging entities from academia, industry, and throughout the ecosystem to support the advancement of U.S. semiconductor innovation.”
Anantha Chandrakasan is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, dean of MIT’s School of Engineering, and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He brings to Natcast decades of academic leadership and groundbreaking research spanning security hardware, energy harvesting, and wireless charging for the internet of things; energy-efficient circuits and systems for multimedia processing; and platforms for ultra-low-power biomedical electronics. As dean of engineering, Chandrakasan has been instrumental in launching interdisciplinary programs that bridge academia and industry to accelerate the pace of research.
Chandrakasan’s contributions to engineering and technology have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2022 IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal and the 2013 IEEE Donald O. Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits. He is a fellow of the IEEE and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the Association for Computing Machinery. Chandrakasan currently serves on the SMART Governing Board and previously served on the boards of Analog Devices Inc., The Engine, and the Perkins School for the Blind.
Michael Splinter is the former Executive Chairman of Applied Materials, where he led the company to global success in the semiconductor industry. With a career spanning more than 40 years, which includes leadership roles at Intel Corporation and Rockwell International, Splinter’s expertise in manufacturing, sales, and innovation has made a significant impact on the semiconductor landscape. His tenure as Chairman of NASDAQ from 2017 to 2022 further demonstrates his ability to steer strategic growth in complex industries.
Splinter is a recipient of the Semiconductor Industry Association’s prestigious Robert Noyce Award and was elected to the National Academy of Engineers in 2017. He serves as a director for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, Kioxia Holdings Co., and Gogoro Inc., and is currently the Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Committee for the CHIPS Act.
“The mission and work of Natcast focuses on semiconductor research, workforce development, collaboration, and disruptive innovation across the ecosystem,” said Deirdre Hanford, CEO of Natcast. “This is where Anantha and Mike excel and have demonstrated impact throughout their careers. We look forward to their thoughtful perspectives, diverse experiences, and inclusive approach as we continue to shape Natcast’s work and future.”
Chandrakasan and Splinter join Abrams, Hanford, Craig R. Barrett, L. Reginald Brothers, Nicholas Donofrio, Donna Dubinsky, and Erica R.H. Fuchs on the Board of Trustees. Learn more about Natcast’s leadership at www.natcast.org/leadership.