Rodney D. Priestley is the dean of the Graduate School and the Pomeroy and Betty Perry Smith Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and was named vice dean for innovation in 2020. Since joining Princeton’s faculty in 2009, Priestley has performed groundbreaking fundamental research in materials science, facilitated the development and translation of intellectual property derived from that research into products and enterprises, and expanded Princeton’s ties with industry, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, alums and other partners. All the while, he has maintained a deep commitment to recruiting and developing Princeton graduate talent from all backgrounds.

“Graduate student professional development helps students build important professional skills which serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration, creativity, and innovation. By cultivating connections between our graduate students, faculty, alums, and industry, government, and nonprofit partners, we are building on-ramps to a diverse array of career paths."