Curiosity knows no bounds. We hunger to understand the world around us through patterns, data, explanations, interpretations, relationships, and more. Our most creative thinkers mine knowledge across disciplines for metaphors, connections, contexts, models, and ideas that can be applied fruitfully in new venues.



By sharing the perspectives of colleagues with different points of view, researchers hone their questions and improve experiments. In fact, the practice of science is predicated on exposing hypotheses and discoveries to open inquiry, analysis, and criticism. Reaching out broadly and working with people with varied backgrounds is the backbone of effective research. It takes advantage of the differences in ways that reveal the consistency and unity in nature.



At Rensselaer, we encourage a focus by both our students and our faculty on the great glob­al challenges—humanity’s food, water, and energy supplies; human health and the mitiga­tion of disease; our great need for sustainable infrastructure; national and global security; and the intelligent allocation of valuable natural resources.



The 2017 Rensselaer Research Report highlights a number of exciting discoveries and accomplishments that are helping Rensselaer to change the world for the better. We hope you enjoy it.