Arun Seraphin joins NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Institute

ETI's Arun Seraphin

ARLINGTON, VA – Arun Seraphin, a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee with a storied career in science and defense, has joined the Emerging Technologies Institute as deputy director, the National Defense Industrial Association announces Jan. 11.

In this role, Seraphin will provide strategic direction for the organization, determine research priorities and manage research and policy projects.

“I am excited by the opportunity to help expand the activities of the Emerging Technology Institute and contribute to NDIA’s efforts to ensure that the nation is developing and deploying the best new technologies for national security,” Seraphin said. “I look forward to applying my government and technical experience to shape policies, programs and activities that can bolster innovation in support of national defense missions and economic growth.”

Mark Lewis, ETI’s executive director and former director of defense research and engineering for the Defense Department, referred to Seraphin as “a Washington, D.C., icon” in welcoming him to ETI.

“Arun helped shape many elements of the Defense Department’s science and technology enterprise,” Lewis said, through his positions on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and at the White House, as well as his earlier work with the House and the federally funded research and development centers. “Arun is one of our nation’s most influential thought leaders at the intersection of science and defense, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him on board at NDIA.”

With the Senate, Seraphin assisted senators in their oversight of Defense Department policies and programs, including budget authorization, civilian nominations, legislative initiatives and hearings. His specialties included acquisition policy, Pentagon management issues, defense science and technology programs, information technology systems and technology transition issues, among many others.

Seraphin was principal assistant director for national security and international affairs in the White House Office of Science and Technology. There, he developed and implemented initiatives and policies in defense research and engineering, weapons of mass destruction, the defense industrial base, STEM education, cybersecurity and others areas.

Seraphin also was instrumental in forming science and technology policies with the House of Representatives, the Institute of Defense Analysis and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He has a doctorate in electronic materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and bachelor’s degrees in political science and engineering science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. 

For media queries, contact Evamarie Socha at esocha@NDIA.org.