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Gaurav Arya

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
3383 Fitzpatrick Center (CIEMAS), Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
144 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


My research laboratory uses physics-based computational tools to provide fundamental, molecular-level understanding of a diverse range of biological and soft-material systems, with the aim of discovering new phenomena and developing new technologies. The methods we use or develop are largely based on statistical mechanics, molecular modeling and simulations, stochastic dynamics, coarse-graining, bioinformatics, machine learning, and polymer/colloidal physics. Our current research interests fall within four main themes: genome organization and regulation; polymer-nanoparticle composites; viral-DNA-packaging; and DNA nanotechnology. Please visit our website for more details about each of these research projects.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2021 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Chemistry · 2022 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2024 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News


Published June 4, 2021
Researchers Reveal the Inner Workings of a Viral DNA-Packaging Motor
Published March 25, 2021
Soft Robotic Dragonfly Signals Environmental Disruptions
Published February 26, 2021
Writing New Recipes for High-Performance Materials

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Recent Publications


Impact of Grafting Density on the Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Self-Assembled Metal-Organic Framework Monolayers.

Journal Article Journal of the American Chemical Society · February 2025 Polymer-grafted metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be used to form free-standing self-assembled MOF monolayers (SAMMs). Polymer chains can be introduced onto MOF surfaces through either the ligands or metal nodes using both grafting-to and grafting-from a ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Collaborative Research: DMREF: Architecting DNA nanodevices into metamaterials, transducing materials, and assembling materials

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2027

Programmable Mesoscale Self-Assembly at Nanopatterned Surfaces.

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2020 - 2027

Understanding the supramolecular nature of the ligand-nanocrystal interlayer

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of California - San Diego · 2024 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Notre Dame · 2003 Ph.D.
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India) · 1998 B.Tech.