Rodney Priestley

Rodney Priestley is the Dean of the Graduate School and the Pomeroy and Betty Perry Smith Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University. He leads the Priestley Laboratory, which focuses on nanoscale processing and characterization of polymers and soft matter, with applications in sustainable materials and green processing. His research emphasizes thin films, colloids, and nanocomposites, exploring how confinement and interfacial effects influence material properties.

Research interests include advancing fundamental understanding of polymer design through processing innovations, with practical applications in membranes, coatings, and nanocomposite materials. Recent work highlights chemically recyclable polymers and their structural phases, as well as aging phenomena in polymer films.

Dr. Priestley has advised students such as Xiaohui, Shawn, and Navid, who have transitioned to careers in academia and industry. His leadership roles include affiliation with the Princeton HMEI (as Associated Faculty), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The Priestley Lab actively engages in sustainable materials research, aligning with global environmental challenges.