Linda S. Schadler is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer.  Her research focuses on polymer nanocomposites with emphasis on tailoring the mechanical, electrical, and optical properties by tailoring the nanoparticle / polymer interfaces. She has published over 100 articles.  She has won many awards and honors including the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1994), the Geisler Award by ASM International (2000), and was elected a Fellow of ASM International in 2006. Most recently she won the coveted 2008 Outstanding Professor Award by the Rensselaer School of Engineering.