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
Recent Publications
Tunable Patterning of DNA Origami on Surfaces Using Steric Brushes
Journal Article Angewandte Chemie International Edition · June 4, 2026 ABSTRACTTailoring the properties of 2D materials through precise control of both local arrangement and long‐range order on surfaces remains a central challenge in materials science. While surface‐assisted ... Full text CiteRole of Polymer-Protein Interactions in the Dynamics of Polymer-Integrated Protein Crystals.
Journal Article Journal of the American Chemical Society · May 2026 The incorporation of synthetic polymers into biomolecular materials provides a powerful strategy to enhance their properties. We recently showed that the interstitial spaces of highly solvated mesoporous ferritin crystals could be infiltrated with acrylate ... Full text CiteDeep Inverse Design of Patchy Particles for Mesoscale Assembly of Superlattices
Preprint · April 1, 2026 Full text CiteRecent Grants
Collaborative Research: DMREF: Architecting DNA nanodevices into metamaterials, transducing materials, and assembling materials
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2027Programmable Mesoscale Self-Assembly at Nanopatterned Surfaces.
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2020 - 2027Understanding the supramolecular nature of the ligand-nanocrystal interlayer
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of California - San Diego · 2024 - 2027View All Grants
Education
University of Notre Dame ·
2003
Ph.D.
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India) ·
1998
B.Tech.