Celia Merzbacher is primarily responsible for developing novel partnerships with stakeholders in government and the private sector in support of SRC's research and education goals. Prior to joining SRC, Dr. Merzbacher was Assistant Director for Technology R&D in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where she coordinated and advised on a range of issues, including nanotechnology, technology transfer, technical standards, and intellectual property. At OSTP she oversaw the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the multiagency Federal program for nanotechnology research and development. She also served as Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which is composed of leaders from academia, industry and other research organizations, and advises the President on technology, scientific research priorities, and math and science education.

Previously, Dr. Merzbacher was on the staff of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington D.C. As a research scientist at NRL, she developed advanced optical materials, for which she received a number of patents. She also worked in the NRL Technology Transfer Office wher