Shayla Sawyer is a Professor in the Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her Nano-Bio Optoelectronics research program expands the fundamental understanding, engineering processes, and potential applications of hybrid inorganic/organic materials for optoelectronic devices and sensors. This includes the fabrication of nanomaterials from bacteria, fabrication in a solution process, and the development of sensors and complimentary systems. The nano-bio devices are comprised of hybrid inorganic/organic materials what may include semiconductor metal oxide nanostructures, bacteria, conductive polymers, conductive nanostructures, and bio-chemical solutions. Her overall research goal is aimed at effectively fabricating and characterizing novel materials and sensors with consideration of systems that require sensitivity and/or selectivity to bring quantitative measurements in typically qualitative worlds.
Dr. Sawyer is a highly regarded teacher for her unorthodox teaching style. Her classroom innovations have led to leadership across the university for methods that optimize remote teaching during the pandemic. For her work in her most recent course, Electric Circuits, she has received all three of the highest teaching awards at RPI including the Trustee’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2020. Her Omega Design Labs are an open opportunity to design solutions toward the NAE Grand Challenges or UN Sustainability Goals while aligning them with fundamental concepts in the course.
Dr. Sawyer obtained her Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As a graduate student, she received the competitive Department of Homeland Security Fellowship. She completed her undergraduate studies with electrical engineering degree from Hampton University as a Merit Scholar, Honors College member, and two-time MEAC champion basketball player. During her four years at Hampton, she received the Female Student Athlete of the Year Award (highest GPA) every year. She has obtained industry experience throughout her education but most recently with GE Global Research in Niskayuna, NY and National Security Technologies Laboratory in Santa Barbara, California
Dr. Martin A. Schmidt ’81, an accomplished administrative leader, researcher, and entrepreneur who has earned more than 30 U.S. patents and founded or co-founded seven startups, was named 19th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 2022. At RPI, he has overseen initiatives including the installation of the first IBM Quantum System One on a university campus and the development of the Rensselaer Forward strategic plan as the Institute celebrates its bicentennial and looks forward to its third century.
Prior to joining RPI, Dr. Schmidt served as provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was also MIT’s senior academic and budget officer. As provost, he worked closely with MIT’s deans to establish academic priorities, and with other members of the Institute’s senior team to manage financial planning and research support. He also played a central role in the creation of Schwarzman College, the most significant organizational change at MIT in 70 years, and oversaw MIT’s international engagements.
Dr. Schmidt was a member of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science faculty since 1988, and served as director of MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories from 1999 to 2006 and as associate provost from 2008 to 2013. He was the Ray and Maria Stata Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Dr. Schmidt earned his B.S degree in electrical engineering from RPI in 1981. He earned his S.M. in 1983 — largely for research conducted at Lincoln Laboratory — and his Ph.D. in 1988, both in electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) from MIT.
Mark Harbaugh is the Vice President of Electric Project Management and Construction for National Grid. Mark is passionate about his role in the community and has worked to assure safe and reliable electricity across Upstate NY for more than 30 years. Currently his team is accountable to deliver a construction portfolio of more than $4 billion by the year 2030. A critical component of that portfolio includes significant upgrades to the Upstate NY transmission system in support of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. These updates will increase system resilience for customers and provide critical access to renewable energy resources as well as providing economic benefit to upstate NY. In addition, Mark’s team coordinates and oversees the field resources critical to effective restoration of power for customers affected by major storm events.
Mark, a graduate of LeMoyne College, is a 34-year veteran of the electric industry and currently a member of the Board of Directors for Parks and Trails, NY. His experience spans numerous career fields including Customer Relations, Construction Design and Resource Scheduling, Construction Estimating, Project Management, Process and Performance Improvement, Business Systems Support, and Liaison to the NYS Department of Public Service, all which has been attained during his tenure with National Grid.
Mark and his wife, Charlene, have been married for 34 years and reside in Central New York. They have 4 children, their youngest being 20-year-old twins. While his children were growing up, he coached many of his kids teams in the Central New York area. Now that his youth sports coaching days are over, his favorite activities include golfing, skiing and chasing after the Binghamton University Softball team where his youngest daughter plays left field.