Welcome to SLM Lab!
We work at the intersection of physics, biology, and engineering to study the mechanics of soft and living systems. Broadly, these systems fall into two classes: passive matter, which responds to external forces, and active matter, which generates motion by consuming energy.
In passive systems—such as colloids, droplets, and compound particles in complex fluids or confined environments—dynamics are governed by hydrodynamic interactions and interfacial forces. Active systems, by contrast, consist of self-driven components including synthetic colloids, motile cells, and epithelial tissues. Operating far from equilibrium, these systems exhibit rich behaviors such as spontaneous flows, pattern formation, and the emergence of topological defects.
Using tools from fluid dynamics together with discrete and continuum modeling, we investigate how material properties, internal activity, and environmental constraints shape dynamics across scales.
For a closer look at our research interests, see the Projects page.