Engineering researcher chosen to guide the future of RIT’s NanoPower Research Laboratory as its new director

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is entering a new chapter in one of its most prominent research programs, as longtime engineering researcher and RIT alumnus Stephen Polly ’09, ’15 Ph.D., steps into the role of director of the NanoPower Research Laboratory. The appointment places him at the center of a broad scientific effort aimed at advancing alternative energy technologies, next-generation materials, and the growing world of optoelectronics.

Polly’s leadership begins as former director Seth Hubbard transitions into his new position as head of the School of Physics and Astronomy within RIT’s College of Science. Hubbard’s move creates an opening that the university says required someone with deep technical knowledge, strong collaborative instincts, and a record of innovation. In Polly, they believe they have found exactly that combination.

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As both an alumnus and an experienced researcher, Polly arrives with a long-standing connection to the university’s engineering community. His career has evolved through several key roles, including managing operations for RIT’s Semiconductor Nanofabrication Lab and directing the RIT III-V EPI Center, which supports the crystal growth processes essential to modern photovoltaic and energy-harvesting technology. Much of his research has been supported through NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program, giving him exposure to projects at the forefront of space-focused energy systems.

One of his most recognized areas of expertise lies in photovoltaics and optoelectronic materials. His work in optoelectrical systems has contributed to advancements in high-resolution x-ray diffraction and improvements in light-emitting diode technology. These contributions align closely with the NanoPower Research Laboratory’s core mission: developing new materials, devices, and systems that can create or store power, while also pushing the boundaries of photonic and optoelectronic applications.

“As the need for alternative energy and power sources grows, the researchers in the NanoPower lab have met these challenges,” said Ryne Raffaelle, vice president for Research and associate provost. “Stephen’s background and expertise in energy advances and his ability to collaborate with industry partners, peer researchers, and our students make him an ideal leader for the next phase of growth in the NanoPower Lab.”

Under Polly’s leadership, NPRL’s multidisciplinary team—made up of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers from both the College of Science and the Kate Gleason College of Engineering—will continue to investigate energy solutions across a wide range of fields. The team’s research has already touched an impressive spectrum: space photovoltaics, III-V epitaxial growth, carbon nanotube synthesis, thin-film solar cells, lithium-ion battery development, and flexible optoelectronic systems.

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Since its founding, the laboratory has attracted nearly $28 million in funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation, NASA, and several U.S. Defense Department research laboratories. The scope of work has steadily expanded, supported by six specialized lab spaces spread across the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. These areas house updated analytical tools, modern optoelectronic testing equipment, repaired glovebox systems, and improved computing and safety infrastructure, creating an environment that researchers say will support the next wave of discovery.

For Polly, the directorship represents both a scientific opportunity and a return to the place where his career began. The university expects that his combination of technical ability, leadership experience, and familiarity with institutional research culture will guide NPRL through its next stage of development.

As the lab continues to grow and sharpen its focus on future energy challenges, Polly’s appointment signals a continued institutional commitment to long-term innovation—particularly in areas where the demand for cleaner, more efficient, and more adaptable power systems is rising rapidly.