Ankur Srivastava has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Semiconductor Initiatives and Innovation at the University of Maryland (UMD). This new role will focus on advancing UMD’s semiconductor research and industry partnerships, particularly those related to the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act).
A prominent advocate for UMD’s role in semiconductor research, Srivastava led a pivotal agreement in early 2024 between UMD and the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC). This partnership expanded MMEC’s scope to include secure edge microelectronics, 5G/6G communications, and AI-supporting microelectronics.
His collaborations include projects with Northrop Grumman through MMEC Hub, such as the Secured Edge Project, which focuses on enhancing security in next-generation GPUs for AI applications. Partners on this initiative include NHanced Semiconductors, Battelle, and NVIDIA. Additionally, UMD and Booz Allen Hamilton co-established the Mid-Atlantic Semiconductor Collaborative (MASC) to support the Department of Defense’s Microelectronic Commons.
Srivastava has played a significant role in securing over $31 million in CHIPS Act funding. As Director, he will strengthen UMD’s national presence and foster partnerships with top semiconductor institutions like Carnegie Mellon, Arizona State University, and the University of Texas-Austin.
Currently serving as Director of UMD’s Institute for Systems Research (ISR), Srivastava will step down from this role in January 2025. Dean Samuel Graham, Jr. of the A. James Clark School of Engineering praised Srivastava’s leadership and looks forward to his contributions to UMD’s semiconductor initiatives.
