Venkatesh Narayanamurti is the Benjamin Peirce Professor of Technology and Public Policy, Emeritus at Harvard. He was formerly the John L. Armstrong Professor and Founding Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Professor of Physics and Dean of Physical Sciences at Harvard. In his capacity as an American scientist, public policy leader and academic administrator, he has served on numerous advisory boards of the federal government, research universities, and industry.

He spent much of his scientific research career at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He has authored more than 240 scientific papers in different areas of condensed matter, applied physics and technology innovation policy. Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Indian Academy of Science, Indian National Academy of Engineering, IEEE, and AAAS, he is also an elected member of the U.S National Academy of Engineering, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and of the World Academy of Sciences. He obtained his Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University and has an Honorary Doctorate from Tohoku University.