PI | Visiting Researchers | Postdoctoral Researchers | Ph.D. Students | Master’s Students | Undergraduate Students
Dr. Russell J. Composto
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Bioengineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
composto@engineering.upenn.edu
LRSM 321
(215) 898-4451
Google Scholar: here
Education:
PhD Materials Science and Engineering 1987 – Cornell University
MS Materials Science 1984 – Cornell University
BA Physics 1982 – Gettysburg College
Member of:
Nano/Bio Interface Center (NBIC)
Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM)
Institute for Medicine and Engineering (IME)
Penn Center for Energy Innovation
Visiting Researchers
Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Project Title: Nanocarrier Drug Delivery to Improve Access and Outcomes in Lung Transplant
Collaborators: Jacob W. Myerson (PSOM), Jacob S. Brenner (PSOM), Vladimir R. Muzykantov (PSOM)
Funding Source: UPenn 2019 Formula Fund
Project Description: Current research focuses on the biological mechanism study of the complement system with nanoparticles.
Yusuke Watanabe
Visiting Scientist
yuwata99@engineering.upenn.edu
watanabe.y.d8f4@m.isct.ac.jp
Education: Department of Chemical Science and Engineering in School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Project Title: Adsorption behavior for small molecules of polymers grafting from nanoplatelets
Collaborators: Daeyeon Lee (CBE)
Funding Source: Japan Science and Technology Agency
Project Description: In this work, the adsorption of small molecules such as hexane, methanol, and CO2, for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafting from plate-shaped nanoparticles is studied using a QCM instrument equipped with a vapor pump system.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Seongon Jang
Postdoctoral Researcher
(MSE)
seongon@engineering.upenn.edu
Education: Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Project Title: Physical and Chemical Properties of Vitrimer Nanocomposites
Collaborator: Dr. Pavel Shapturenka (CBE- Osuji lab), Dr. Yejung Lee (Chemistry- Fakhraai lab)
Project Description: My research focuses on vitrimer nanocomposites for applications in solid polymer electrolytes and thin-film coatings. My current project investigates the fundamental structure–property relationships of hexagonal boron nitride flake-containing vitrimer nanocomposite electrolytes for sodium-ion battery applications. My future work will integrate AI-guided property prediction and optimization with autonomous experimentation to accelerate the design of high-performance polymer nanocomposites.
Ph.D. Students
Education: B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University – New Brunswick
Project Title: Effects of Polymer Brush, Nanoparticle, and Solvent Characteristics on Nanoparticle Adsorption
Collaborators: Co-advised: Karen I. Winey (MSE & CBE); Dr. Yejung Lee, Professor Zahra Fakhraai, Dr. Kyoungweon Park, Dr. Richard A. Vaia
Funding Sources: NSF CBET
Project Description: I study the dynamics and kinetics of nanoparticle adsorption to weak polybasic brushes. The following parameters were investigated: solution pH, brush molecular weight, brush grafting density, and nanoparticle geometry. Weakly polybasic poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) brushes were utilized due to their protonated structure at low pHs and neutrality at high pHs. These brush surfaces were challenged with nanometer-sized particles- either isotropic citrate-coated gold nanospheres (AuNPs) or anisotropic sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) coated gold nanorods (AuNRs). This work strives to elucidate the impact of brush structure in relation to solution environment and nanoparticle geometry to expand the applications of polyelectrolyte brushes in separation technologies of the future.
Justin Hughes
Ph.D. Student
(MSE)
jhughes3@engineering.upenn.edu
Education: B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
Project Title: Autonomous Exploration of Process-Structure-Property Relationships in Ion-Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites
Collaborators: Jay Shah (University of Delaware), Dr. Pavel Shapturenka (Osuji Group), Professor Kohji Ohno (Osaka Metropolitan University)
Funding Sources: NSF DMR, NSF NRT (SoftAE), VIEST Graduate Fellowship
Project Description: I develop machine learning-guided autonomous experimentation workflows to accelerate the discovery of advanced polymer materials. My current research integrates electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) into Bayesian optimization workflows to quantify process-structure-property relationships in poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PNaSS)-grafted nanoparticle/PNaSS-matrix nanocomposites. This work builds upon my previous development of a physics-informed Bayesian optimization workflow for autonomous phase mapping of polymer blends, extending this validated methodology to more complex polymer nanocomposite systems for energy storage applications.
Sydni Wilson
Ph.D. Student
(MSE)
sydniw@engineering.upenn.edu
Education: B.S. in Chemistry, Jackson State University
Project Title: Fabrication of Lipid Nanoparticles and Lipid-Supported Bilayers on Hydroxyapatite Surfaces
Collaborators: Professor Kyle Vining, Professor Michael Mitchell
Funding Sources: UPenn SOE, GEM Fellowship (Colgate-Palmolive)
Project Description: The goal of my project is to unravel the surface configurations of mRNA carriers, specifically lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), as they are delivered to mineralized surfaces. Bisphosphonate (BP) is incorporated into the LNP formulation to investigate how BP mediates binding to Ca²⁺ ions in hydroxyapatite, the primary inorganic component of bone. By combining the bone-targeting affinity of BP with the therapeutic potential of LNPs, this platform may enable novel delivery strategies for dental, orthopedic, and other health-related applications. Using techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), we can study the viscoelastic properties and adhesion behavior of LNPs as a function of BP molar percentage.
David Bujdos
Ph.D. Student
(MSE)
bujdos@engineering.upenn.edu
Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Saint Vincent College
Project Title: Kinetic, mechanical, and morphological properties of polymer thin films confined to nanoporous gold
Collaborators: Dr. Jongbeom Kim (Stach Group); Prof. Kōnane Bay (Colorado University Boulder)
Funding Sources: NSF NRT (SoftAE), Ashton Fellowship
Project Description: Soft materials in the confined state, or when they interact with a rigid material at a length scale comparable to the chains’ dimensions, often display advantageous properties and facile processing such as a lowered glass transition temperature and a reduced viscosity. We fabricate confined composite materials by infiltrating thin films into nanoporous gold, an isotropic and self-supporting 2D metal scaffold. This work aims to quantify the kinetic delays imposed on infiltration by the self-assembled morphology of block copolymer films and spatially map the assembly of chains once inside pores. Future goals to determine the resulting strength of the confined nanocomposites will further increase the fitness of these materials for applications as transport barriers, energy storage devices, or high surface-area-to-volume-ratio nanosupports.
Sunmin Kim
Ph.D. Student
(MSE)
skim01@engineering.upenn.edu
Education: B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, Emory University
Project Title: Solubility and Diffusion of Small Molecules in Polymer-Grafted Platelet (PGP) Composite Films
Collaborators: Kevin Wang (Daeyeon Lee Group), Yusuke Watanabe and Professor Tokita (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Funding Source: Penn Engineering, NSF NRT (SoftAE), NSF DMR
Project Description: Polymer-grafted platelet (PGP) thin films, in which PMMA chains are grafted onto platelet-shaped hematite nanoparticles, introduce unique chain conformations and packing geometries for controlling gas transport in membrane applications. Varying the grafting density and film thickness governs chain stretching, interpenetration, and segmental mobility—collectively modulating the tortuosity of diffusion pathways through the nanocomposite. Using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sorption measurements, we characterize the equilibrium vapor uptake and diffusion coefficients of CO₂ and methanol in these films, connecting chain architecture to macroscopic transport behavior. Overall, this work aims to establish the fundamental structure–property relationships needed to rationally design next-generation polymer nanocomposite membranes for gas separation.
Undergraduate Students
Julia Chiang
Undergraduate
(MSE & Chemistry)
jschiang@engineering.upenn.edu
Julia is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania in the VIPER program majoring in Materials Science & Engineering and Chemistry. She joined the group in Summer 2024. Her research focuses on polymer electrolytes for sodium batteries and extreme heat solutions.
Ali Altan Yilmaz
Undergraduate
(MSE & Physics)
aayilmaz@engineering.upenn.edu
Ali is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania in the VIPER program majoring in Materials Science & Engineering and Physics. He joined the group in October 2025. He is part of the CoolSeal Team, which helps to address urban heating by promoting multidisciplinary pursuits, supporting local communities, and leading on pivotal climate-related challenges.
Ian Lumer
Undergraduate
(CBE & AI)
ilumer@engineering.upenn.edu
Ian is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. He joined the group in Fall 2025. His research focuses on the infiltration-based strengthening of polymer-metal nanocomposites under the mentorship of Ph.D. student David Bujdos, investigating the morphology of diblock copolymer-infiltrated gold scaffolds to create mechanically reinforced nanomaterials. Additionally, Ian is carrying on the group’s environmental initiatives focused on combating urban heat and developing adaptations to extreme heat events in Philadelphia.
Kevin Zhang
Undergraduate
(MSE)
kevinz0@engineering.upenn.edu
Kevin is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Materials Science & Engineering. He joined the group in April 2026. He is part of the CoolSeal Team, which helps to address urban heating by promoting multidisciplinary pursuits, supporting local communities, and leading on pivotal climate-related challenges.
Ronith Lahoti
Undergraduate
(MSE & Chemistry)
ronith@engineering.upenn.edu
Ronith is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania in the VIPER program majoring in Materials Science & Engineering and Chemistry. He joined the group in the summer of 2026. His research is on the properties of nanoparticle-functionalized thin-film vitrimers and their applications as electrolytes.