April 27, 2009: President Barack Obama has named Chad Mirkin, a pioneer in dip-pen nanolithography and founder of Illinois-based NanoInk, to his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Mirkin is professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Medicine at Northwestern University, as well as director of Northwestern’s International Institute of Nanotechnology. He is a leading expert on nanotechnology, including nanoscale manufacturing and applications to medicine; he was awarded the Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology in 2002.

PCAST is an advisory group of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers who will advise the president and vice president and formulate policy in the many areas where understanding of science, technology, and innovation is key to strengthening the economy.

“This council represents leaders from many scientific disciplines who will bring a diversity of experience and views,” Obama said. “I will charge PCAST with advising me about national strategies to nurture and sustain a culture of scientific innovation.”