The Office of Naval Research (ONR) recently appointed Dr. Thomas Fu as the office’s leader, performing the duties of Chief of Naval Research.
Fu previously served as chief scientist and executive director of ONR. In his new role, he will oversee ONR’s diverse global programs and work to accelerate the transition of disruptive capabilities to meet the tactical needs of the modern U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Fu succeeds Dr. Rachel Riley who is moving to a role at the Department of the Navy.
“Maintaining a technological advantage in an era of strategic competition requires disciplined, experienced, and uninterrupted leadership focused on rapid innovation and warfighter support,” Hung Cao, acting secretary of the Navy, said. “As Dr. Rachel Riley departs the office, the continuity provided by Dr. Fu ensures ONR will continue to serve as an essential bridge, enabling the department to rapidly adopt and deploy the cutting-edge technologies our sailors and marines need to fight and win.”
Fu’s background includes hydrodynamic and ship platform breakthroughs such as improving acoustic stealth and propulsion efficiency at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, undersea weapons, and platform survivability.
Since it’s founding in 1946, ONR has advanced American naval warfighter readiness and dominance through innovations in science and technology.