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Faculty: Department

Materials Science Engineering
Roberto Andresen Eguiluz

  • Biolubrication
  • Mechanobiology
  • Adhesion of biological, biologically inspired, and synthetic molecules

Wei-Chun Chin

Professor Chin's studies have focused on the application of polymer physics, microfabrication and engineering principles to biological systems. The application of the theory and tools from engineering in his work has initiated many innovative and productive research projects. These studies have brought us a better understanding of natural phenomena from the unique perspective of engineering. Professor Chin's current research plans include:

  • Intracellular Ca2+ signaling in acute pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Applications of microfabrication techniques to study microenvironment effects on stem cell differentiation
  • Spontaneous polymer gel assembly in aqueous environment Intracellular and intercellular signaling in unicellular phytoplankton cells

Lilian P. Davila

Lilian Davila

Assistant Research Professor

ldavila@ucmerced.edu

Lab Site

COB 386

  • The structure of materials
  • Nanostructures and nanomaterials for applications in technology and medicine
  • Biomaterials and environmental materials

Her research studies involve experimental and computational methods.

  • Applied economics in mountainous and semi-arctic ecosystems
  • Coupled natural and human systems
  • Sustainable resource management
  • Sense of place
  • Food security and food sovereignty
  • Biomass, bioenergy, and biochar

Jennifer Lu

Jennifer Lu

Professor

jlu5@ucmerced.edu

+1 (209) 228-4755

SE2 280

  • We integrate our proficiency in controlled inorganic nanomaterial synthesis, interface engineering, organic synthesis, and 3D printing within a unified framework. 
  • Our main goal is to create new material platforms that can change one type of energy or force into another effectively. This is important for batteries, fuel cells, and making chemicals with renewable energy. It's also crucial for applications like robots, sensors in biology, and artificial intelligence, among other uses.

Elizabeth Nowadnick

  • Computational materials science
  • Complex oxide
  • Energy materials
  • Quantum materials

Christopher

  • Biomolecular materials (design of materials synthesis, assembly, processing and physical optimization strategies based on examples from nature)
  • Physical science and engineering of polymers and liquid crystals (structure-property-processing relationships)

Yue Jessica Wang

Yue (Jessica) Wang

Assistant Professor

yuewang@ucmerced.edu

Lab Site

SE2 283

  • 3D printable functional polymers
  • Biomimetic electronic materials
  • Organic structural metamaterials
  • Wearable and implantable (bio)electronics

Materials Science and Engineering Program

Valerie Leppert

Valerie Leppert

Professor and Department Chair (MSE)

vleppert@ucmerced.edu

SE2 293

  • Electron microscopy
  • Nanomaterials for application in technology and the environment

Kara E. McCloskey

Tissue engineering is a sub/cross discipline that focuses on the design, development and maintenance of tissue products that are used for repairing, improving or restoring tissue function. This field is still in its infancy, and many problems and challenges exist that have yet to be overcome before safe, high-quality engineered tissue products are available in the marketplace. Therefore, my research focuses on:

  • Deriving and characterizing pure populations from stem cells in vitro
  • Comparing the function of such cells with mature cells derived in vivo
  • Using these cells towards regenerative medicine applications
  • Tissue engineering and cell therapy approaches
  • Cardiovascular cell lineage, but plan to expand into other cell systems long-term

Chemical Engineering

Valerie Leppert

Valerie Leppert

Professor and Department Chair (MSE)

vleppert@ucmerced.edu

SE2 293

  • Electron microscopy
  • Nanomaterials for application in technology and the environment

Kara E. McCloskey

Tissue engineering is a sub/cross discipline that focuses on the design, development and maintenance of tissue products that are used for repairing, improving or restoring tissue function. This field is still in its infancy, and many problems and challenges exist that have yet to be overcome before safe, high-quality engineered tissue products are available in the marketplace. Therefore, my research focuses on:

  • Deriving and characterizing pure populations from stem cells in vitro
  • Comparing the function of such cells with mature cells derived in vivo
  • Using these cells towards regenerative medicine applications
  • Tissue engineering and cell therapy approaches
  • Cardiovascular cell lineage, but plan to expand into other cell systems long-term