Our Focus

Our lab’s research lies at the interface of soft (bio)materials and biology. We seek to understand and control the interactions between soft (bio)materials and living systems to address challenges in sustainability and health. We do this using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. Our core expertise includes polymers and soft matter, biomaterials, voxelated bioprinting, and additive manufacturing of soft and inorganic materials. Complementary expertise includes cell biology, nonlinear fluid dynamics, macro-/micro-rheology, advanced characterization techniques, microscopy and image analysis, microfluidics, and in vivo animal studies. 

Our research program is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. The philosophy of our research is to identify and solve problems of both fundamental importance and practical value; this is often accomplished by working closely with experts from various fields.

Currently, we are conducting research in three areas: (1) polymer science and soft matter, (2) advanced (bio)manufacturing, and (3) bioengineering. Each of these fields integrates synthesis, theory, experimentation, and translation. In parallel with developing approaches for practical applications in sustainability and biomedicine, we seek to answer three grand, fundamental scientific questions: 

1. What are the molecular mechanisms for nonlinear (mechanical, electric, magnetic, and optical) properties of soft materials under large deformations?
2. How do soft (bio)materials interact with biological objects?
3. Can we use polymer physics and soft matter principles to understand the rules of life?