The Namib Desert beetle possesses hierarchically structured hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains on its back, where water from humid air preferentially condenses, grows in size, then rolls down towards its mouth as drinkable water. Adapting the strategies utilized in nature such as the beetle carapace to polymer material versatility requires intentional surface design, identifying and understanding the mechanisms at play during polymerization. These hierarchical structures are of interest to engineers due to the unique interactions between surfaces and water observed in numerous plants and animals in a variety of extreme habitats.

While current manufacturing methods to fabricate surfaces with this behavior often require multiple processing steps, sacrificial materials, and specialized chemical syntheses to obtain the desired patterning, the focus of my work is instead shifted to harnessing the thermodynamics and kinetics associated with photopolymerization induced phase separation (PIPS). The majority of my work explores developing chemically and physically patterned surfaces for water capture using a single UV cure step. These coatings explore PIPS as a platform using materials that possess minimal hazards while still being commercially and economically viable to produce complex hierarchical surfaces inspired by nature through relating concepts of molecular interactions to resin design to surface properties and to application performance. 

I am a recent PhD graduate of Michigan State University, working in the Szczepanski lab to probe photopolymerization behavior and how to guide microscale and macroscale domain formation. During this time I have helped develop and build  several custom experimental set ups for a wide array of testing applications, including real time polymerization conversion sample holders, shear and normal adhesion clamps, along with in house water collection from humidity apparatuses. Additionally, partaking in multiple collaborative research projects throughout my studies, including relating flax seed mucilage properties to evolutionary benefits along with optimizing adhesion of hydrogel sensors to delicate octopus skin, has only increased my interest in characterizing the fascinating interactions occurring at surfaces and interfaces.

When not in the lab, I enjoy hiking outdoors in nature, working with fiber arts, and tending to my aquariums. These activities bring about knowledge and insights in their own right that are able to contribute to problem solving and creative solution skills.