Engineering Next-Generation Materials to Solve Real-World Problems

Our research team is looking for motivated undergraduate students interested in exploring how chemistry, nanotechnology, and materials science can be used to solve real-world challenges.

Students will work alongside graduate researchers on projects involving the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced materials. Current research areas include developing novel drug-delivery systems, engineering antimicrobial nanomaterials, designing sustainable agricultural technologies, and investigating deep eutectic solvents as alternatives to conventional chemical formulations.

Depending on their interests, students may gain experience with:

- Nanomaterial Synthesis: Developing and optimizing nanoparticles and functional materials. - Analytical chemistry: Using techniques such as LC-MS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, XRD, and electron microscopy. - Biological applications: Investigating antimicrobial activity and the interactions between materials and biological systems. - Formulation science: Developing deep eutectic solvents and other functional chemical systems. - Data science: Applying computational tools, statistical analysis, and machine learning to experimental research. - Engineering: Creating novel machinery for aerosolization of agricultural and medicinal syntheses, as well as exploratory material creation, and autonomous robots for agriculture.

Students will have opportunities to take ownership of research questions, participate in experimental design, analyze data, and present their findings. Depending on their contributions, opportunities for conference presentations, research theses, and scientific publications may also be available.

Our goal is to provide students with more than laboratory experience. We want to help them develop the scientific independence, technical skills, and critical thinking necessary to become the next generation of researchers and innovators.