Bio-Nano Advanced Health Materials Lab
Diego Gomez-Maldonado, PhD

Principal Investigator
Diego Gomez-Maldonado, PhD
Assistant Professor in Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications
Diego’s research focus is on the development of sustainable bio-based materials for advanced health applications. He is the PI at the Bio Nano Advanced Health Materials at the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute at Texas Tech University. Prior to this, he did postdoctoral work at Northeastern University researching the microenvironment of neural cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. He holds a PhD in Forest Biomaterials from Auburn University, a M.Sc. in Material Design and Engineering, and a B.S. in Biological Engineering both from Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico. He has expertise in nanomaterials and biopolymer surface chemistry, characterization, and 3-D assembly. Equally important is his interest in education and mentoring as tools to harvest a sense of belonging and to build a sustainable future.
Graduate Students

Ketzalzin Vazquez
Ph.D. Student Plant & Soil Science - Fiber & Biopolymers
My thesis is focusing on tuning the surface chemistry of cellulose nanocrystals for drug processing

Melany Martinez Perez
MSc Student Plant & Soil Science - Fiber & Biopolymers
My thesis is focusing on understanding the effect of cellulose structure on endothelial cells for regenerative medicine

Susmita Saha
Ph.D. Student Plant & Soil Science - Fiber & Biopolymers
My project focuses on the regeneration of cellulose fibers using sustainable solvents
Undergraduate Students

Eno-Jane Effanga
BSc Biochemistry - Pre Med Track
My project is focused on modifying cellulose nano crystals to enhance disease detection

Matthew Racovei
BSc Science and Humanities - Pre- Med Track
My project looks into increasing film composites to maximize mechanical properties

Avery Tran
Honors Sciences and Humanities - Pre Med Track
My project focuses on producing cellulose-based beads from kombucha-derived cellulose as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material

Hanna Drake
Bsc Microbiology - Pre Med Track
My project is studying microparticles and nanoparticles of polystyrene and cellulose to determine their cytotoxicity after environmental exposure
Alumni

Beatriz M. Herrera
Graduate Student

Sansão S. Maurício
Visiting Scholar

Clara Dourado Ph.D.
Post-doc

Zoey Bray Rodriguez
Undergraduate Student

Obarita Aarushi
High School Volunteer

Sofia Salman
Undergraduate Student

Matthew Toker
Undergraduate Student