Indian-origin scientist among four US science envoys

Professor Arun Majumdar from Stanford University is among four top scientists who have been appointed the science envoys of the US.

An Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)- Bombay alumnus, Majumdar shares the honour with Peter Hotez, Jane Lubchenco and Geri Richmond.

The four eminent scientists will serve as US envoys beginning January next year, said a State Department statement.

"These distinguished scientists will engage internationally at the citizen and government levels to develop partnerships, improve collaboration, and forge mutually beneficial relationships between other nations and the US to stimulate increased scientific cooperation and foster economic prosperity," it said.

Majumdar currently serves on the faculty of the department of mechanical engineering at Stanford University.

Prior to joining Stanford, he was the vice president for energy at Google, where he created several energy technology initiatives and advised the company on its broader energy strategy.

Majumdar is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the IIT Bombay in 1985 and Ph.D from the University of California - Berkeley in 1989.

The Science Envoy programme demonstrates the US's commitment to science, technology, and innovation as tools of diplomacy and economic growth.