Bio

Research

Inspired by Nature, my research team is engaged in new developments in biotech textiles and sustainable polymers, with special focus on enzyme-fiber interactions that enable increased utilization of bio-based materials for textile applications. Our work on enzyme-fiber interactions encompasses enzymatic modification, degradation and processing of fibers, enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of fiber-forming polymers, and enzyme immobilization in fibers for the development and production of a new class of materials we call Biocatalytic Textiles. We are exploring the properties, mechanisms, prototyping and use of bio-based and biocatalytic textiles for applications in desirable, sustainable textiles, CO2 gas management, water treatment and waste remediation.

Teaching

• TC567 (TC589) – Biobased Textile Materials and Processes , Fall
• PCC471 – Chemistry of Biopolymers , Spring
• PCC104 – Polymer and Color Chemistry Laboratory (occasionally)
• PCC301 – Technology of Dyeing and Finishing (occasionally)
• PCC302 – Technology of Textile Wet Processing (occasionally)
• TC530 – Chemistry of Textile Auxiliaries (occasionally)
• PCC490 – Undergraduate Research in Polymer and Color Chemistry , Fall and Spring
• TC630 – Graduate Student Independent Study , Fall and Spring

Organizations

• American Chemical Society
• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

Collaboration

Accomplishing real impact beyond one’s own reach requires collaboration with others, collaboration across disciplines, across geographies, languages, time zones and time lines. It requires hard work, a lot of laughter, and believing in things that at first seem impossible. We value our industry partnerships and strive to build relationships that result in successful outcomes for the students, the partners and the university.

Area(s) of Expertise

Dyeing and Finishing
Polymer Science
Polymer/Fiber/Textile Processing
Product Development
Textile Chemistry
Carbon Dioxide Capture
Enzymology

Publications

• 2026 Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases Technology Translation Virtual Event Summary , Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026)
• 2026 Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases Technology Translation Virtual Event Summary , Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026)
• Bio-based Additive Manufacturing Using Enzymatically Recycled Cotton Textile Waste , (2026)
• Carbon dioxide point-source and direct air capture using biocatalytic textiles , SSRN Electronic Journal (2026)
• Carbon dioxide point-source and direct air capture using biocatalytic textiles , Carbon Capture Science & Technology (2026)
• Goals and Progress in the Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration , Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026)
• Goals and Progress in the Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration , Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026)
• A Gravimetric Method for Evaluating Liquid Transport on Textile-based Gas-Liquid Contactors , SSRN Electronic Journal (2025)
• Advances in biomimetic carbonic anhydrase strategies for CO2 capture , Trends in biotechnology (2025)
• Biocatalytic Textiles for CO2 Capture , SSRN Electronic Journal (2025)

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