Current Members
 | Alankar Rastogi Graduate Research Assistant (co-advised by Prof. Ali Dhinojwala), 2012-present Interfacial phenomena at PMMA-liquid and PMMA-sapphire interfaces at varied bulk concentrations; novel approaches in surface tension calculation for liquids with special emphasis on alkanes; research tools: Molecular Dynamics (MD) and ab-initio simulations, and Sum-Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy (SFG) |
 | Hao Guo Graduate Research Assistant (initially AMP, advised by Prof. David Simmons), 2016 - present Catalyst discovery and design; application of artificial neural network (ANN) and machine learning (ML) for catalytic design using an atomistic simulation environment (ASE); current research approaches catalysis as a complex, multidimensional and multiscale field of research Extracurricular interests include: reading, badminton, baroque and classical music, cooking |
 | Kun Qian Graduate Research Assistant (initially AMP, 2017 - 2019), 2019 - present Simulation of the behavior of different macroions in solution; effect of different parameters on the self-assembly of macroions Extracurricular interests include: dancing |
 | Abdol Hadi Mokarizadeh Graduate Research Assistant, 2019 - present Self consistent field theory of block copolymers |
 | Shubhendu Kumar PhD Student (co-advised by Prof. Ali Dhinojwala), 2021 – present Studying adhesion and friction between hard and soft contact by varying surface chemistry, roughness, modulus, and ambient conditions. Extracurricular interests include: Playing badminton, hiking, watching movies, reading (history, philosophy, and geopolitics). |
 | Javad Tamnanloo Graduate Research Assistant, 2022 – present Machine-learning approaches for property and (bio)activity prediction of polymers, Diffusion in polymers Extracurricular interests include: hiking and rock climbing, watching movies and documentaries, and reading all sorts of books |
 | Farzad Toiserkani PhD student 2022- Present. Extracurricular activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, cycling, Swimming. |
 | Hansini Abeysinghe PhD student 2022- Present. Extracurricular activities: Hiking, Reading books, watching movies, and listening to music |
Alumni
 | Nityanshu Kumar Graduate Research Assistant, 2017 – 2022 Prediction, via simulation techniques, of important coating properties such as surface free energy, interaction energy, and contact angles; hollow glass microsphere- and bamboo fiber-polymer hybrids for light weight and high strength applications |
 | Jiuke Chen Graduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021 Previous research: Aging behavior of BIIR; hydrogel based molybdenum disulfide nano-sheets |
 | Siteng Zhang Graduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021 Simulation of surface behavior in polymers, characterization Extracurricular interests include: soccer, fitness |
 | Zifeng Wang Graduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2019 - 2021 Simulation, FEA Extracurricular interests include: video, fishing, and dynamic music |
 | Yuanhao Zhang Graduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2018 - 2021 |
 | Gary Leuty Graduate Research Assistant (M.S. then Ph.D.), 2008 - 2014 Adsorption and surface structure characteristics in bottle brush polymers; structure and dynamics of fluoromethane films Currently an associate at Air Force Research Lab, Dayton, Ohio |
 | Jiayuan Miao Physics Department, Case Western Reserve University (co-advised by Prof. Philip Taylor) Graduate Research Assistant, 2012-2017 Design of polymer dielectrics, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation of relaxation in stretched PVDF nanofibers, theoretical unification of Fickian and non-Fickean diffusions Currently Postdoctoral Research Associate at Tufts University, Medford, MA |
 | Selemon Bekele Graduate Research Assistant, 2013 – 2019 Wetting of polymeric thin films by water droplets; instantaneous surface-sensitive analyses of temperature-dependent structural and dynamical properties at polymer film surfaces; assessment of ordering at thin film-water interfaces with the help of hydrogen bond dynamics for biocompatible design of adhesive polymeric materials |
 | Arvind Modi Department of Polymer Engineering, (co-advised by Prof. Alamgir Karim) Graduate Research Assistant, 2010 – 2016 Novel approaches in understanding ordering and the morphological evolution in solvent swollen thin BCP films: how solvent quality influences interfacial and polymer chain properties, and how substrate, on the other hand, affects preferential segregation and nanodomain alignment |
 | Zijun Lu Physics Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (co-advised by Prof. Philip Taylor) Graduate Research Assistant, 2013 - 2019 Alternatives computational techniques to conventional diffusion and thermal expansion analyses; glass transition temperature prediction from short-time simulations via cage-softening and dynamic heterogeneity calculations |
 | Yeneneh Y. Yimer Graduate Research Assistant, 2010 - 2014 Atomic-level molecular dynamic simulations of conjugated polymers; force field development; high accuracy structural prediction via coarse-grained simulations Currently senior data scientist, Starbucks Seattle, WA |
 | Zhuonan Liu Graduate Research Assistant, 2012 – 2017 Macroions: dynamic translocation process of countercations around hybrid anionic clusters; self-assembly and interaction in polar solvents; polymer glasses: origin, chain network, and behavior of ductility in polymer glasses Currently Senior Predictive Engineer at 3M, Saint Paul, MN |
 | Ram Bhatta Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2013 - 2016 High performance computational studies of small molecule and macromolecule interactions, with application in areas such as polymer solar cells Currently at The University of Texas |
 | Natalia B. Shenogina Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2010-2012 Behavior prediction, and elastic and structural property determination of thermoset polymers and polymer networks Currently at Wright State University, Dayton, OH |
 | Zhe Zhao Graduate Research Assistant (AMP), 2017 – 2019 Macroion research: effect of macroion size, charge density and distribution on self-assembly of macroions Extracurricular interests include: listening to all kinds of music, reading |
 | Iskinder Arsano Graduate Research Assistant, 2015 – 2020 Nanotechnological alternatives to water filtration using differently-functionalized carbon nanotubes; atomistic simulations of novel asphaltic materials; computational polymer scientific implementation in the study of Early Earth primitive polymers Fascinated in: smooth jazz, blues, bati |
 | Ali Abu-Nada M.S. student, 2009-2011 Applied Physics - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), IL Adsorption of Methane and Propane on a LJ Wall and on Molybdenum Surface: A Simulation Study Currently Assistant Professor of Physics and Head of Department, Isra University, Amman, Jordan |
 | Solomon Negash Physics Department, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (co-advised by Prof. Tatek Yergou) Graduate Research Assistant, 2012 – present Substrate-dependent effect of tacticity on the structure and glass transition temperature of adsorbed polystyrene (PS) thin films |
 | Kshitij C. Jha Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2012 – present Effect of tacticity and temperature on the surface structure of polymer – vacuum interfaces, thermal and mechanical properties of elastomers; relationship between interfacial water structure and the physico-chemical aspects of ice accretion |
 | Chiranjivi Lamsal M.S. student, 2008-2010 Applied Physics - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), IL Simulation of the halomethanes structures on graphite and silica substrates Currently member of the physics faculty at Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ |
 | Yexin Zheng Graduate Research Assistant (co-advised by Prof. Shi-Qing Wang; initially AMP), 2014 – present Experimental and simulation methods to understand the molecular origin of the nonlinear rheological behavior of polymer melts; investigation of the chain-network effect of polymer glasses under deformation using both experiments and molecular dynamics simulation with emphasis on the brittle-ductile transition phenomenon |
 | Saeed Akbari Graduate Research Assistant, 2016 – 2018 Computationally driven design and characterization of homocatenanes and diblock catenanes in solutions and interfaces; particularly uses all-atom MD simulation to give the most accurate characterization of the effects of molecular weight, solvent(s), surfaces and interfaces on the structure and dynamics of catenanes Extracurricular interests include: swimming, drawing and reading nonscientific books |
 | Xiaoxiao Li Graduate Research Assistant (co-advised by Prof. Shi-Qing Wang), 2013 – 2017 Experimental and simulation studies to understand the molecular origin of mechanical stress in ductile deformation of polymer glasses; high and low molecular weight polymer glasses with respect to large and inhomogeneity-inducing deformations Currently Polymer Scientist at Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN |
Undergraduate Researchers
| Everen Wegner NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2022 |
| Ruth Eckman NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2019 |
| Kevin Feezel NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2018 |
| Kevin Feezel NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2018 |
| Emily Gerstein NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2016 |
| Alex Weber NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2016 |
| George Eason NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2015 |
| Hope Hickman Applied Math, 2015 |
| Oliver Evans Applied Math, 2015 – 2018 |
| Katherine Starr NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2014 |
| Dawit Challa 2013, Electrical Engineering |
| Robert Medina McNair Scholar, 2012 |
| John Muryn NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2011 |
| Julia Deitz NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2011 |
| Prasad P. Iyer Visiting student, 2011 |
| Amy Beard NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2009 |
| Jonathan Nehring NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2008 |
High School Researchers
| Ryan Lee 2022, Copley High School, Copley, OH |
| Maria Dhinojwala 2017, Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, OH |
| Zichao Hu 2017, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Akron, OH |
| Abhiav Ketineni 2014, Harker School, San Jose, CA |
| Brandon Yang 2013, Harker School, San Jose, CA |
| Abbreviations AMP: Akron Masters Program DPE: Department of Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron CPSPE: College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron MD: Molecular Dynamics Simulations P3HT: Poly (3-hexylthiophen-2,5-diyl) REU: NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at CPSPE |
Pictures
APS Meeting 2023 |  |
 | |
 |  |
 |  |
 |