(2fu) Interfacing Biology with Materials

I obtained my Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at UT Austin in 2019 under the direction of Prof. Nathaniel A. Lynd and Prof. Benjamin K. Keitz. During my time at UT, my research was focused on the development and mechanistic study of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using electroactive bacterium Shewanella oneidensis. This work culminated in the development of first study on the whole-cell enabled oxygen-tolerant living polymerization. Following my graduate studies, I joined the laboratory of Prof. Ariel L. Furst at MIT, where I have worked on a variety of exciting projects related to heterogeneous CO₂ reduction, coordination polymer and polymer synthesis. Since the beginning of my research career, I have strived to maintain a research identity that spans chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials science. Consequently, I believe the skills and intuition I have developed during my education have prepared me to launch a research group focusing on interdisciplinary researches. Specifically, I intend to focus on (1) development of biohybrid gels to understand the biotic-abiotic interface, and (2) expanding biology tools to address challenges in polymer synthesis and upcycling. I believe I will find the capable students that will help address challenging questions in these research areas. My record of success in addressing difficult scientific questions in a broad range of scientific disciplines demonstrates that a vibrant research group under my guidance will make unique contributions to each of the areas illustrated above.

Teaching Interests

I am excited about teaching and mentoring as a principal investigator. I have had the pleasure of being a graduate teaching assistant and a research mentor to many outstanding graduate/undergraduate/high school students through Welch summer scholar program, MIT undergraduate research opportunities program (UROP), and Cambridge school volunteers NetPals program. These experiences, as well as my own journey through the education system, have taught me that investing in a student’s development, though challenging, is immensely rewarding. Therefore, I will strive to be an educational and inspirational assistant professor who is devoted to helping young students and scholars become outstanding scientists and engineers. Based on my research and teaching background, I would be excited to teach chemical engineering classes that overlap with the chemistry curriculum. Examples of such classes might include mass transport, kinetics, or materials science. I would also be eager to teach general, organic, and inorganic introductory chemistry courses.