Dr Mike C. Roco is Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology at the National Science Foundation, and Chair of the U.S. National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET). He also coordinates the programs on academic liaison with industry (GOALI).
Dr Roco has been the key architect of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), and a leader of the Converging New Technologies (NBIC: nano-bio-info-cognitive sciences) activities. Prior to joining National Science Foundation, he was Professor of mechanical-chemical engineering. Dr. Roco is credited with thirteen inventions, has authored/co-authored over two hundred scientific and engineering articles, and twelve books and manuals including “Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” (Kluwer Acad., 2001).
He is active in review boards of large organizations in several countries, and is the Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research. He received awards for his research in US, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, and other countries. Dr Roco is a Correspondent Member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences, Fellow in several physics, chemical and mechanical engineering societies, was named “Engineer of the Year” in U.S. in 1999 and 2004 by the National Society of Professional Engineers and NSF.