Subra Suresh, the Vannevar Bush Professor of Engineering Emeritus at MIT and president of the Global Learning Council, a platform focused on educational innovation, begins his tenure as a trustee at Caltech this month.
In addition to his role at Caltech, Suresh holds positions as Brown University Professor at Large, serves on the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences, the Board of Overseers of Koç University in Istanbul, and the Board of Directors of the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Formerly the director of the National Science Foundation, Suresh is known for creating the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, aimed at translating scientific discoveries into commercial applications.
He has served as president of Carnegie Mellon University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, following roles as dean of engineering at MIT and professor of engineering at Brown University.
At Carnegie Mellon, Suresh spearheaded major initiatives like the Tepper Quadrangle and the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, and established significant scholarship and fellowship programs totaling over $250 million in endowed funds. He is an accomplished author with three books and over 300 research articles, alongside 30 patent applications.
With a deep commitment to education, diversity in STEM, and fostering global perspectives among scientists and engineers, Suresh reflects on his affinity for Caltech and its unique attributes.
“I had the privilege of spending two sabbaticals at Caltech, one in 1999 at GALCIT and another in 2004 as the Gordon Moore Scholar,” Suresh reminisces. He recalls engaging with Gordon Moore (PhD ’54), co-founder of Intel Corp., discussing research during a memorable two-hour visit to his office.
“What has always impressed me about Caltech is its profound impact on scientific discoveries, innovation, industry translation, startups, and leadership globally, despite its small size,” he adds.
Last year, Suresh received the National Medal of Science, the highest U.S. honor for scientists and engineers, from President Biden. He is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, recognized for his research on engineered and biological materials advancing innovation and healthcare. He is also elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors.
Suresh’s accolades include the French Legion of Honor and the Padma Shri, India’s civilian award. He holds membership in prominent academic institutions abroad, including those in Germany, China, France, Spain, India, and Sweden.
