Pawel Keblinski, the head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been elected a fellow of the Materials Research Society (MRS). He receives this honor for his influential contributions to “the development of computational methods leading to fundamental understanding of thermal transport in materials on nanometer length scales.” 

Keblinski’s research centers on computational material science modeling with applications to nanoscale and interfacial material. More specifically, he is focused on unraveling relationships between microstructure and the material properties — such as mechanical response, diffusion, and most prominently thermal energy transport. He uses computational models to better understand material properties and behavior in order to formulate theoretical concepts, understand experimental results, and guide future research. 

According to the professional society, the distinction of fellow is in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field through research, leadership, and service. It is bestowed on less than 0.2% of MRS membership each year.

Keblinski will formally receive this honor at the MRS spring meeting which is scheduled to be held in Phoenix in April.