Jacinta C. Conrad Research Group

University of Houston

How does a bacterium move through a crowded fluid, or a nanoparticle navigate a microscopic pore? Jacinta Conrad’s research investigates the motion and assembly of particles in soft materials and near surfaces. The group combines microscopy, microfabrication, rheology, scattering, and computation to study bacteria, colloids, polymers, and nanoparticles. Projects connect microscopic transport with bacterial adhesion, antifouling surfaces, environmental remediation, and sensitive diagnostic tests. The research is particularly relevant to understanding how confinement and crowding reshape the behavior of materials that flow.