Peter Kofinas is Professor and Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Maryland. He was previously appointed Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Graduate Programs in the Clark School of Engineering, where he also served as the Equity Officer and Diversity Officer for the Clark School. 

Dr. Kofinas received Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT in 1994 as part of the interdisciplinary Program of Polymer Science and Technology (PPST). He was then trained as a post-doctoral research associate in the department of Chemical Engineering at MIT for 2 years before joining the faculty at University of Maryland in 1996. 

The main thrust of Professor Kofinas' research program aims in the synthesis, characterization, and processing of novel polymer based architectures used in a variety of technologies and devices ranging from energy storage to medical devices.  Present problems of interest include: solution blow spun functional polymers as surgical sealants; biosensors for the detection of pathogens; point-of-care diagnostics; non-flammable air-stable solid polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries; functional magnetodielectric polymer nanocomposites for flexible antennas.

Professor Kofinas received the CAREER award from the National Science Foundation in 1999 for his research and educational activities on block copolymer nanostructures. Professor Kofinas was awarded the Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching award from the School of Engineering at the University of Maryland in 1999.  In 2006, Professor Kofinas was awarded the endowed Keystone Professorship for his exemplary undergraduate teaching skills and commitment to excellence in teaching fundamental engineering courses.  The Keystone Professorship appointment was renewed in 2009. In 2007, Dr. Kofinas won the Outstanding Invention of the Year award for the second time, awarded by the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Maryland.  In 2011 Dr. Kofinas received the Engaged Faculty Award 2011, from the Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland. This is an honor that has been bestowed upon faculty by the Clark School of Engineering through undergraduate student nominations, because they are approachable, take a genuine interest in and have concern for their students, especially outside of the classroom, are accessible, have high expectations of their students, encourage students and provide advice and support on academic and extracurricular activities. In 2012 Dr. Kofinas received the Senior Faculty Outstanding Research Award of the Clark School of Engineering. In 2013 Dr. Kofinas received the Faculty Outstanding Service Award of the Clark School of Engineering.