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Group Photo: April 2025
Group Photo: April 2025
Back row: Kuotian Liao, Ian Campbell, Richard Colwell, Kwon-Teen Chen, Brandon Lou, Gabe Wylie, Hathiq Ashrafi, Cameron Moore, Christian Schwarz, Meghan Dillon, Helen Feldhaus, Devin Hou, Sebastian Sosa, Hareesh Iyer
Front row: Aban Mandal, Meng-Yen Lin, Talitha Le, Maxine Lovelace, Gabrielle Balistreri, Pico, Julia Didier, Thea Zabala, Eleftheria Roumeli, Ainsley Powell,
Wren Kitchings, Jennifer Tran, Kadison Hickman, Etta Shack, Mallory Parker
Front row: Aban Mandal, Meng-Yen Lin, Talitha Le, Maxine Lovelace, Gabrielle Balistreri, Pico, Julia Didier, Thea Zabala, Eleftheria Roumeli, Ainsley Powell,
Wren Kitchings, Jennifer Tran, Kadison Hickman, Etta Shack, Mallory Parker
Eleftheria Roumeli
Eleftheria Roumeli
Associate Professor, PIUniversity of WashingtonMaterials Science and Engineering DepartmentEmail: eroumeli@uw.eduPhone: (+1) 206-616-2832
Post-doc: Mechanical & Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology & ETH ZurichPhD in Physics, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiMSc in Materials Physics & Technology, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiBSc in Physics, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiCV
Office Address2110 NE Mason Road337 Roberts HallSeattle, WA 98195
Post-doc: Mechanical & Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology & ETH ZurichPhD in Physics, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiMSc in Materials Physics & Technology, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiBSc in Physics, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiCV
Office Address2110 NE Mason Road337 Roberts HallSeattle, WA 98195
Gabrielle Balistreri
PhD Student
Gabrielle Balistreri
PhD Student
Research Project: Development and processing of BCNPs for surface functionalization, drug incorporation and release, and biocompatibility studies
I completed my B.S. in Chemistry at the University of California San Diego in March 2021 where I researched silicon nanotechnology for diagnostic applications. In Fall 2021, I started in the Molecular Engineering PhD program at UW, and I initiated an interdisciplinary collaboration between Dr. Roumeli’s sustainable biomaterials lab and Dr. Nance’s disease-directed engineering lab. My co-advise position provides me with the opportunity to engineer bacterial cellulose nanoparticles as a novel and sustainably-sourced and formulated drug delivery system to treat neonatal brain injury. I am passionate about sustainable nanotherapeutics using green engineering and exploring the great outdoors in WA.
Ian Campbell
PhD Student
Ian Campbell
PhD Student
Research Project: Processing and development of self-plasiticizing biocomposites using natural materials as a matrix
I graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering in Dec, 2020. At Georgia Tech, I studied the processing of polymer composites by way of electrospinning and direct ink writing under the advisement of Dr. Blair Brettmann. Since beginning my PhD in material science in the fall of 2021, I have applied my knowledge of polymer science to begin the development of a physical analogue for biomatter plastics. I hope to combine these efforts with the extraction of macromolecules from biomatter to identify mechanisms governing self-bonding in algal bioplastics.
Richard Colwell
PhD Student
Richard Colwell
PhD Student
Research Project: Actively exploring topics in bio-based sustainable materials
I graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering in June, 2021. After graduation, I developed plant-based meat products using novel fiber-spinning techniques at Tender Food as a materials research associate. Then, I evaluated bio-based, biodegradable plastics for various applications at Amazon within the Worldwide Sustainability organization. In my PhD, I seek to deepen our fundamental knowledge of how bio-based materials’ structures influence their properties, facilitating their use in sustainable applications.
Julia Didier
PhD Student
Julia Didier
PhD Student
Research Project: Biosynthesis, processing, and biomedical applications of bacterial cellulose materials
With a background in chemical engineering and biotechnology, my research explores how bacterial growth conditions shape cellulose fiber formation and network architecture, and how these parameters can be tuned through processing to design functional materials. I am particularly interested in developing bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels and foams for wound dressing and drug delivery applications, integrating sustainable materials design with biomedical performance.
Hareesh Iyer
PhD Student
Hareesh Iyer
PhD Student
Research Project: Plasticization of biomass through mechanical and thermal treatments
I got my Master's from the department of Materials Science and Engineering at the UW. Previously, I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University in 2017. In-between I was working with composites in the aerospace industry. My goal is to use my mechanical background to facilitate the development and characterization of bio-based polymers and explore machine learning tools to assist us in the more efficient design of sustainable materials.
Kuotian Liao
PhD Student
Kuotian Liao
PhD Student
Research Project: Design and characterization of biomatter-polymer/biomatter biocomposites
My background is in mechanical and structural engineering, with emphasis on energy conversion systems, and later structural analysis & modeling of fiber composites as well as 3D printed materials. My current research emphasizes obtaining fundamental understandings of processing - properties relationships in a wide range of synthetic as well as bio-synthesized material systems.
Meng-Yen Lin
PhD Student
Meng-Yen Lin
PhD Student
Research Project: Biomass-laden cement biocomposites as sustainable structural materials
I obtained my Master's degree in civil engineering with a focus on structural materials at the National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan). My previous research focused on the elastoplastic behavior of foam and reuse of industrial byproducts as constructional materials. I am currently investigating the interaction between biomass (e.g., algae cells) with cements and its structure-properties relationships.
Brandon Lou
PhD Student
Brandon Lou
PhD Student
Research Project: Zeolite-cement composite systems for sustainable structural materials
I have received both my B.S. and M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Washington. Having previously conducted research on algal biomass-cement composites, I am now studying zeolite as a partial replacement for cement in concrete composite systems with collaborative guidance and supervision from
Dr. Roumeli and Dr. Arola. Outside of my research in structural materials, I am the co-founder of a medical device startup with the aim of improving gastrointestinal surgeries.
Aban Mandal
PhD Student
Aban Mandal
PhD Student
Research Project: Fundamental Biopolymer Interactions in Multicomponent Systems for Designing Sustainable Bulk Materials
I completed my Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgical and Material Engineering from Jadavpur University, where I conducted research on the synthesis of mixed metal oxide-graphene composites for heavy metal removal—work with potential applications in water purification. Currently, I am focused on understanding the physics of biopolymers, particularly the interactions governing biopolymer and colloidal systems. My work aims to develop understanding for predictive models that can correlate the phenomenological behavior of biopolymer systems with the mechanical properties of the hydrogel, films and foams derived from them. Through this research, I hope to advance eco-friendly, high-performance materials for structural and industrial applications, promoting sustainability at both molecular and manufacturing scales.
Mallory Parker
PhD Student
Mallory Parker
PhD Student
Research Project: Design of thermoformable composites for additive manufacturing: mechanical performance optimization and study of end-of-life strategies
After completing my Master's degree from the Material Science & Engineering department at UW, I now continue my research as a Ph.D student. I am working with Prof. Roumeli, in collaboration with Prof. Dwayne Arola, to manufacture thermoformable composite structures. This work, along with further mechanical and thermal characterization, will focus on the creation of strong and reliable hierarchical composites for additive manufacturing. Additional work will explore the end-of-life recyclability, degradation, or pyrolysis to entice usage of these more sustainable materials. I am passionate about 3D printing and love designing trinkets for my hobbies: skiing, biking, and sailing!
Meghan Dillon
Undergraduate student
Meghan Dillon
Undergraduate student
Research Project: Development and design of sustainable algal biofoams through mechanical and thermal treatments
I am a third year chemical engineering undergraduate student. Currently, I’m exploring the use of algal biofoams for insulation materials. Outside of academics I love to spend my free time hiking, reading, and exploring Washington.
Wren Kitchings
Undergraduate student
Wren Kitchings
Undergraduate student
Research Project: Analyzing the impact of different algal macromolecules on bioplastic performance
I am a sophomore in bioengineering with a focus in nanomolecular engineering. Currently, I am exploring how isolating various macromolecules from algae can improve their bioplastic performance. I enjoy learning about the different types of biomaterials and their numerous uses. In my free time, I enjoy painting, writing, and gardening.
Jennifer Tran
Undergraduate student
Jennifer Tran
Undergraduate student
Research Project: Understanding bacterial growth during cellulose synthesis
I am a second year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry. I am fascinated by how life works on a smaller scale, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge. Outside of school, I enjoy running and going on long walks, especially when the weather is cold.
Arthur Gim
Undergraduate student
Arthur Gim
Undergraduate student
Research Project: High-throughput fabrication of algal bioplastic for ML-assisted optimization
I am a 2nd year undergraduate in the engineering department at the University of Washington. I look forward to using my engineering skills to improve the health of others and to lead a sustainable future. I am excited to learn all about fabrication of bioplastics and other polymers at the Roumeli lab. In my free time, I love exercising in the gym, practicing my clarinet, and playing video games.
Thea Zabala
Undergraduate student
Thea Zabala
Undergraduate student
Research Project: Enhancing the properties of bacterial cellulose membrane via solvent-assisted mechanical stretching
I am a fourth year biochemistry student. I am interested in combining my biochemical background with sustainable engineering as well as learning the technicalities of the research process. Outside of academics, I enjoy the gym, playing volleyball, and watching movies!"
Helen Feldhaus
Undergraduate student (June 2024)
Helen Feldhaus
Undergraduate student (June 2024)
Research Project: Molecular Analysis and Chemical Evaluation of Algae
I am a third year chemical engineering student at the UW. I am currently working on extraction of macromolecules from algae to investigate their effects on algal bioplastics. Outside of academics I enjoy skiing, playing rugby, and spending time outdoors. I look forward to exploring my interests in nanoengineering to create a more sustainable future!
Sebastian Sosa
Undergraduate student
Sebastian Sosa
Undergraduate student
Research Project: High-throughput fabrication of algal bioplastic for ML-assisted optimization
I am a third year Aero & Astro undergraduate student inspired by the role of sustainable material science and its bridge to the future of space and flight innovation. When taking a break from academics I enjoy traveling, playing soccer and rugby!
Etta Shack
Undergraduate student
Etta Shack
Undergraduate student
Research Project: High-throughput fabrication of algal bioplastic for ML-assisted optimization
I am a second year undergraduate studying biochemistry. I am excited to build an understanding of the macromolecules responsible for self-bonding in algal bioplastics and assist in the fabrication of sustainable materials. Outside my academics, I love playing jazz trombone and dancing to live music!
Gabe Wylie
Undergraduate student (December 2024)
Gabe Wylie
Undergraduate student (December 2024)
Research Project: Design and Characterization of Ternary Multicomponent Polymer Systems for Hydrogel and Foam Applications
I am a third year chemical engineering undergraduate at the UW. I am excited to be working to develop advanced multicomponent biopolymer systems to improve the mechanical and functional properties of hydrogels and foams. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, cooking, and playing video games.
Cameron Moore
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Cameron Moore
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Research Project: Understanding how biopolymers interact to form foams and hydrogels
I am a sophomore in Materials Science and Engineering here at the UW. My goal in studying biomaterials is to make them better and more accessible so that they become a preferable option to their petroleum based counterparts. Outside of academia, I enjoy playing soccer and going to the beach!
Christian Schwarz
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Christian Schwarz
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Research Project: Effect of post-conditioning on bioplastics from various biomatter
I am a first year undergraduate student in the college of engineering at UW. I am interested in exploring the use of algae to create more sustainable bioplastics and investigating conditional effects on the physical properties and performance of algal plastics. Outside of school I enjoy skiing, climbing, backpacking, making pottery, and reading.
Hathiq Ashrafi
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Hathiq Ashrafi
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Research Project: Biochar derived from Algal Biomass with Thermal Pyrolysis as a Sustainable Filler in Cement Composites
I am a second year chemical engineering undergraduate student at UW. I am excited to use my skills to learn more about sustainable materials, their properties, and their real world applications. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, playing soccer, and video games!
Maxine Lovelace
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Maxine Lovelace
Undergraduate student (January 2025)
Research Project: Optimizing production parameters for material performance of algal bioplastics
I am a third-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Washington. My research primarily explores algae derived plastic products and the impact of various process constraints on their performance. Outside of academics, I enjoy snowboarding, boxing, and discovering new restaurants.
Alumni
Alumni
PhD Students
Jeremy L. Fredricks - Air Force Technical Applications Center, FL.
Post-doctoral scholars
Andrew M. Jimenez - Packaging R&D Engineer at Intel
Paul Grandgeorge - Scientific collaborator at iPrint Institute
Master Students
Esther Law
Jeffrey Lin - PhD student at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dallas Warren - Microsoft
Bayan Alhadidi
Jeffrey Hsu
Tessa De Souza Machado - Trane Technologies
Nick Hopwood - Boeing
Konstantin Mason
Josh Lin - Zeolite Composites
Joana Lacerda
Mike Holden - PNNL
Esther Nicolaou
Sailaja Bodrothu
Benjamin Sprenger
David Kim
Taylor Hilton
Alumni Collaborators
Dr. Leah Ginsberg (PhD at Caltech) - Staff Consultant with Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi).
Undergraduate Students
Kristine Lam - Master student at Northwestern University
Emerson McNamee - Manufacturing process engineer in Auburn, WA
Jordan Nelson - Group14 Technologies
Andrew Schnell
Jamie Thorup - T-Mobile
Chelsea Ho
Will Gottsch
Noah Werner
Konstantina Mason - PhD student at UC Davis
Isaiah Chea
Jordan Kamimura
Adam Kurniawan
Ella Lee
Hannah Nguyen
Jan Dee
Mathangi Venkatesh
Veronica Lapitan
Sven Nilsson
Rebekah Brain
Julia Blair
Sirjan Uppal
Lily Nguyen
Abby Mapili
Aiden Reeder
Ainsley Powell - English Language Assistant at Academy of Nantes
Kwon-Teen Max Chen - PhD student at Purdue University
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