Saniya LeBlanc, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the George Washington University, has won a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award recognizes scientists and engineers who show exceptional potential for leadership early in their research careers.
LeBlanc’s research focuses on materials science, energy conversion and thermal transport, with a particular emphasis on making nanomaterials more accessible and useful. Her work bridges the gap between cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing of nanostructures and their application in real-world devices. One of her key projects involves creating energy harvesting devices that make use of the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as thermoelectric generators for waste-heat recovery. LeBlanc also takes a broader approach, integrating energy system analysis, cost evaluations and policy research to examine how nanotechnology can be scaled for wider energy applications.