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Richard F. Kayser, Ph.D. is Chief Scientist and Acting Special Assistant for Environment, Safety and Health of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md. As Chief Scientist, Kayser manages NIST's laboratory programs and assists in setting strategic directions. The agency promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST's FY 2009 resources total $1.6 billion and the agency employs about 2,900 scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff and administrative personnel at two main locations in Gaithersburg, Md., and Boulder, Colo. In addition to $819 million in FY 2009 appropriations and $125 million from other agencies, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a total of $610 million to NIST for building critically needed research facilities, expanding fellowships and research grants, and addressing important national priorities critical to the nation's future. As Acting Special Assistant for Environment, Safety, and Health, Kayser is responsible for overseeing the agency’s central safety program. With a Sc.B. degree in physical chemistry from Brown University and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Rice University, Kayser arrived at the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in 1976. Over the next 10 years, Kayser performed research and published approximately 40 peer-reviewed papers. Kayser became Chief of the Thermophysics Division in 1989 and Chief of the Physical and Chemical Properties Division in 1996. He assumed the position of Director of Technology Services in 1999, the position of Acting Deputy Director of NIST in 2004 and the position of Director of the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory in 2005. He began a second stint as Acting Deputy Director of NIST in September 2007, and now carries out many of those responsibilities as Chief Scientist, a position he assumed in May 2008. In recognition of his service, the Department of Commerce has awarded Kayser with Bronze (1983) and Silver Medals (1996 and 1999). Kayser also received the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 1997 and 2007, the Sigma Xi Outstanding Young Scientist Award in 1987, and the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation Outstanding Achievement Award in 2000. In addition to having held a variety of other external positions, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of ASTM International. Return to the NIST Office of the Director Home Page Page created: 11/09/07 |
Dr. Richard F. Kayser