Soft Biomatter Laboratory

University of Virginia (Main campus)

How can soft materials be designed to interact predictably with living systems? The lab investigates the interface between soft biomaterials and biology, drawing on polymer physics and principles of soft matter. Research asks how these materials interact with biological objects and whether physical principles can help explain biological behavior. The program also explores AI and machine learning as tools for discovering fundamental relationships in soft materials. Its research areas include biomaterials, advanced biomanufacturing and self-driving laboratory approaches, with questions motivated by health, energy and sustainability.