▪ Explored engineering strategies to better design and predict macromolecular complexes from basic subunit level. Characterized the mechanical properties of nano-scale synthetic subunits using cryo-EM, and utilized these properties to rationalize the formation of higher-order structures.▪ Led the establishment of next-generation patchy colloids for constructing micron-scale macromolecular complexes economically. The design principle features a modular concept and is user-friendly.▪ Collaborated with Xu Lab (Chem.), Duclos Lab (Phys.), and Street Lab (Biochem.) to use light scattering for characterizing nanospheres from unnatural peptides,[8] estimating kinesin cluster composition to rationalize microtubule organizations,[6] and clarifying peptide formation conditions.▪ Led development of DNA origami patchy colloids with precisely specified interaction strengths to verify model predictions. Explored assembly kinetics and pathway using the simulation-guided platform, revealing principles for faster and more robust self-assembly.▪ Established characterization pipelines to non-invasively quantify interactions between patchy colloids (e.g. binding affinity, association/dissociation rates), laying the foundation for developing new assembly strategies.

▪ Initiated a collaborative project with Osuji Lab (Chem. Eng.) to explore the rheological behavior of emulsion suspensions with thermally responsive droplets.▪ Initiated collaborative projects with Yang Lab (Mater. Sci. Eng.) to explore thermo-responsive plasmon resonances in fibrous nematic liquid crystal elastomer – gold nanoparticle/nanorod composites.▪ Established novel liquid crystalline micro-emulsions capable of reversible and repeatable shape transitions among diverse non-spherical morphologies controlled by temperature. Developed a free energy model to uncover the mechanisms of these morphogenic phenomena. Ultraviolet-crosslinked desired structures into elastomers for further applications.▪ Probed molecular alignments and topological defect configurations of smectic liquid crystals in Janus emulsion droplets. Investigated the creation and control of stable and metastable configuration states through various fabrication pathways.▪ Set up microfluidic devices to fabricate liquid crystalline Janus emulsion droplets and explored how detailed drop morphologies can be controlled by interfacial boundary conditions.▪ Fabricated 2D crystalline packings of colloidal particles at the air-nematic interface. Investigated diffusion and vibrational phonon modes of colloidal crystals using video microscopy, particle tracking, and displacement covariance techniques. Explored relationships between interfacial particle dynamics and the properties of the underlying bulk.