Laurie E. Locascio

Laurie E. Locascio
Name	Laurie E. Locascio
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of Maryland, College Park, University of Utah
Known for	Leadership in measurement science and public health
Occupation	Research administrator, biomedical engineer
Title	Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Predecessor	Walter Copan
Successor	Incumbent

Laurie E. Locascio is an American research administrator and biomedical engineer who has held prominent leadership roles in federal science agencies. She has served as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) since 2022, following earlier high-level positions at NIST and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Her career is distinguished by advancing measurement science, standards, and regulatory policy to support public health, advanced manufacturing, and innovation.

Early life and education

Locascio earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from James Madison University, laying a foundation in the physical sciences. She then pursued graduate studies at the University of Utah, receiving a Master of Science in bioengineering. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in toxicology at the University of Maryland, College Park, conducting research that bridged biomedical engineering and public health.

Career at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Locascio began her career as a research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She founded and led the Biochemical Science Division at NIST, focusing on developing critical measurement tools and standards for biotechnology and medical diagnostics. Her early work contributed to the Human Genome Project and advanced the field of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies.

Directorship of NIST Material Measurement Laboratory

In 2013, Locascio was appointed Director of the NIST Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), one of NIST's largest laboratories. In this role, she oversaw a broad portfolio of research in analytical chemistry, materials science, and data science. She led initiatives to develop standard reference materials and data standards for advanced manufacturing, forensic science, and climate science, strengthening the laboratory's impact on U.S. industry and global trade.

Role at the Food and Drug Administration

In 2017, Locascio joined the Food and Drug Administration as the Deputy Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). She later served as the Acting Principal Deputy Commissioner of the FDA and the Acting Chief Scientist. At the FDA, she played a key role in the agency's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing policies for emergency use authorizations for medical devices and advancing regulatory science for digital health technologies and artificial intelligence.

Return to NIST as Under Secretary and Director

Locascio returned to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2022, appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate as Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director. In this role, she leads the agency's implementation of major legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, focusing on semiconductor metrology, quantum information science, artificial intelligence safety, and biotechnology innovation.

Awards and honors

Locascio has received numerous awards for her scientific and leadership contributions, including the Department of Commerce Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded by the United States Department of Commerce. She is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). She has also been recognized with the Arthur S. Flemming Award and awards from the Food and Drug Administration for her service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Category:American biomedical engineers Category:National Institute of Standards and Technology officials Category:Food and Drug Administration officials Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni Category:University of Utah alumni Category:James Madison University alumni