Earlier this week Rensselaer announced that Robert J. Linhardt was appointed a "senior constellation chair" of biocatalysis and metabolic engineering at Rensselaer. Dr. Linhardt is a world renowned researcher into the properties and new applications of complex carbohydrates. This includes the use of complex carbohydrates carriers of drugs for advanced brain cancer and thrombotic problems.

Dr. Linhardt will serve as chairman of a "constellation" at RPI. According to the press release:

At Rensselaer, a constellation is a multidisciplinary team of senior faculty, junior faculty, and graduate students led by one or two outstanding stars in a particular research field of strategic and focal interest to the university. Rensselaer has chosen biocatalysis and metabolic engineering as one of these focal areas. Linhardt will take the lead in structuring the rest of the constellation, including attracting additional high-level faculty researchers.