People: Willie May took over agency charged with research and standards in forensic science, cybersecurity, and more

Willie May
May was confirmed as NIST director in 2015.
Credit: James Kegley
Willie E. May became the U.S. government’s top chemist on May 4 when the Senate confirmed him as the 15th director of the National Institute of Standards & Technology. May, who grew up in segregated Birmingham, Ala., has worked at NIST for 44 years, rising through the ranks from on-the-ground analytical chemist to director. He leads NIST at a time when it is the go-to federal agency for research and standards in important areas such as forensic science, cybersecurity, and manufacturing.
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