ScienceInsider reports that the US National Science Foundation has tapped Cora Marrett, a sociologist and academic administrator, to serve as its acting director after current head Subra Suresh steps down on March 22 until a permanent replacement is appointed and confirmed.
Suresh is vacating the role after holding it for two and half years to become the president of Carnegie Mellon University.
Marrett is the deputy director of the NSF, a post she's occupied since 2009. This isn't the first time that she has managed the institution while its leadership changed hands, according to the article. She was in charge in between the departure of former head Arden Bement in May 2010 and Suresh taking over in October of the same year. She's also run education programs and headed up the NSF's social and behavioral sciences directorate.
ScienceInsider adds that some former directors say Marrett should take over the role on a permanent basis, though it notes that only one deputy has become director throughout the agency's history.