Research Themes
Research Themes
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My research leverages polymer chemistry, additive manufacturing, advanced materials characterization, and computational simulations to study structural dynamics and transport phenomena in soft matter. Based on these insights, I develop hydrogel models that recreate tissue microenvironments to study cardiovascular disease progression. I also design biomaterials that can respond to complex biomechanical and fluidic environments to improve therpeutic outcomes.
My research leverages polymer chemistry, additive manufacturing, advanced materials characterization, and computational simulations to study structural dynamics and transport phenomena in soft matter. Based on these insights, I develop hydrogel models that recreate tissue microenvironments to study cardiovascular disease progression. I also design biomaterials that can respond to complex biomechanical and fluidic environments to improve therpeutic outcomes.
Biomimetic
hydrogel models
Biomimetic
hydrogel models
Cardiovascular
medical devices
Cardiovascular
medical devices
Therapeutic
delivery platforms
Therapeutic
delivery platforms
Transport properties
of soft matter
Transport properties
of soft matter
Understanding how fluids and solute molecules/particles move through polymer networks is essential to predicting and controlling the functional performance of soft matter. My research investigates the physics governing diffusion and advection, including how interactions between solutes, polymers, and fluids influence transport. I combine experiments with theoretical and computational approaches to identify the underlying mechanisms, providing a foundation for designing materials with predictable uptake, retention, and release properties for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Understanding how fluids and solute molecules/particles move through polymer networks is essential to predicting and controlling the functional performance of soft matter. My research investigates the physics governing diffusion and advection, including how interactions between solutes, polymers, and fluids influence transport. I combine experiments with theoretical and computational approaches to identify the underlying mechanisms, providing a foundation for designing materials with predictable uptake, retention, and release properties for applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Representative publications:
Transport properties of hydrogels with mutliple pore dimensions.
Progress in Polymer Science 2026, 173, 102065. [Invited]Transport properties of hydrogels with dynamic changes in pore dimension.
Biomacromolecules 2023, 24, 1173–1183. [Cover Page]Affinity-mediated transport in microscopic hydrogel particles.
Nanoscale 2023, 15, 14531–14542.
Biomimetic hydrogel models
Biomimetic hydrogel models
Synthetic hydrogels cannot recapitulate the complex structural architecture and dynamic microenvironment of native biological tissues. To address this limitation, I engineer biomimetic hydrogels with controlled structural characteristics that capture key features of tissue microstructure. The flow-driven transport and mechanical response of these matrices under strain will reveal how the interplay between tissue architecture and external stress governs tissue remodeling and disease progression.
Synthetic hydrogels cannot recapitulate the complex structural architecture and dynamic microenvironment of native biological tissues. To address this limitation, I engineer biomimetic hydrogels with controlled structural characteristics that capture key features of tissue microstructure. The flow-driven transport and mechanical response of these matrices under strain will reveal how the interplay between tissue architecture and external stress governs tissue remodeling and disease progression.
Representative publications:
Hydrostatic pressure-driven advection of nanoparticles in biomimetic hydrogels.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. 2026, Accepted.Mechanical response of biomimetic hydrogels to multiaxial deformation.
Science Advances 2026, Accpeted.
Therapeutic
delivery platforms
Therapeutic
delivery platforms
The efficacy of therapeutic delivery is governed by mass transport within the carrier matrix or its erosion, both of which are typically passive processes with predetermined release rates. To address this limitation, I design platforms across nano-, micro-, and macroscales that actively release therapeutics in response to biochemical and mechanical signals present in pathological environments. These platforms will provide on-demand treatment that adapts to the body’s changing needs and improves therapeutic efficacy.
The efficacy of therapeutic delivery is governed by mass transport within the carrier matrix or its erosion, both of which are typically passive processes with predetermined release rates. To address this limitation, I design platforms across nano-, micro-, and macroscales that actively release therapeutics in response to biochemical and mechanical signals present in pathological environments. These platforms will provide on-demand treatment that adapts to the body’s changing needs and improves therapeutic efficacy.
Representative publications:
Enzyme-responsive hydrogel ocular inserts for treating dry eye disease.
U.S.A. Provisional Patent Application Filled on June 4, 2026.Colloidal hydrogels for inflammatory mediator scavenging and growth factor release in wound healing.
ACS Nano 2024, 18, 25841–25851.Glutathione-responsive block copolymer micelles for controlled release in the tumor microenvironment.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 2020, 6, 5069–5083.
Cardiovascular devices
Cardiovascular devices
The performance of cardiovascular medical devices depends on their mechanical and biological interactions with native tissues. Mismatches in mechanical properties can alter local blood flow and vascular responses, compromising device function. To address this limitation, I engineer hydrogel-based vascular grafts to better accommodate the dynamic behavior of native vessels. I combine experimental studies with computational modeling to investigate how these properties influence hemodynamics and device–tissue interactions, which will inform the design of devices with improved compatibility and long-term performance.
The performance of cardiovascular medical devices depends on their mechanical and biological interactions with native tissues. Mismatches in mechanical properties can alter local blood flow and vascular responses, compromising device function. To address this limitation, I engineer hydrogel-based vascular grafts to better accommodate the dynamic behavior of native vessels. I combine experimental studies with computational modeling to investigate how these properties influence hemodynamics and device–tissue interactions, which will inform the design of devices with improved compatibility and long-term performance.
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