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Cita M. Furlani is Director of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). ITL is one of nine research Laboratories within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with an annual budget of $85 million, 335 employees, and about 150 guest researchers from industry, universities, and foreign laboratories.
Furlani oversees a research program designed to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology through research and development in information technology, mathematics, and statistics. Through its efforts, ITL seeks to enhance productivity and public safety, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.
Furlani has several leadership responsibilities in addition to those at NIST. Currently, she is Co-Chair of the Interagency Working Group on Digital Data, Co-Chair of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science, and Co-Chair for Strategic Planning for the Subcommittee on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development, all under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Council. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Technology Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Interagency CIO Council.
Furlani has served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for NIST. As CIO, Furlani was the principal adviser to the NIST Director on the planning, execution, evaluation, and delivery of information technology services and support.
Furlani also served as director of the National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development. This office, reporting to the White House through the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science and Technology Council, coordinates the planning, budget, and assessment activities for the 12-agency Networking and Information Technology R&D Program.
Previously, Furlani was Director of the Information Technology and Electronics Office within the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) at NIST. Before joining ATP, Furlani served as Chief of the Office of Enterprise Integration, ITL, NIST, coordinating Department of Commerce activities in the area of enterprise integration. Furlani also served as special assistant to the NIST Director in the Director's role as Chair of the Committee on Applications and Technology of the Administration's Information Infrastructure Task Force. Previously, Furlani was on detail as technical staff to the Director of NIST in the position of Senior Program Analyst. Prior to August 1992, she managed research and development programs within the NIST Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, applying information technology to manufacturing since1981.
She earned a Master of Science degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and mathematics from Texas Christian University. She was awarded two Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Awards in 1985 and 1993 and the Department of Commerce Silver Medal Award, in 1995.
