(366n) Precision Bottlebrush Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Potential for Healthcare and Other Advanced Applications

Throughout my Ph.D., I have gained fundamental insights into how the structural precision of bottlebrush polymers influences their behavior and functions. I demonstrated that when the sidechains of bottlebrush polymers are uniform, the brushes pack more densely at an interface, with a clear transition informing brush-brush interactions at key phase regimes. I also leveraged my understanding of structural features in controlling the thermal properties of styrene-based polymers without the need for small-molecule plasticizers. I have importantly been involved in the development of metal-free contrast agents for MRI applications. As I advance in my career, I seek challenging research and development positions in the industry that can drive scientific innovations through materials to address global challenges in energy, healthcare, and especially sustainability.

Building on my current research experience and expertise, the following applications are what I would love to explore:

• Healthcare Solutions: I have a passion for creating solutions to healthcare challenges using polymeric systems, I am open to research ranging from biomedical devices to drug delivery systems and MRI applications.
• Membrane science: polymeric membranes are versatile material platforms applicable in various fields such as wastewater treatment, gas separation, tissue engineering, drug delivery, fuel cells, etc, due to their tunable properties. I am interested in leveraging sidechain engineering in designing membranes with control over microdomains and channels not just in two dimensions but also across film thickness.
• Bottlebrush copolymers generally have significant stability relative to linear analogs due to an extended backbone that keeps blocks segregated. I am particularly interested in leveraging our findings on T_g being strongly dependent on N_SC for a homo bottlebrush polymer (A)^[1] to investigate T_g-influenced microphase separation of an A_SBA_L hetero multiblock bottlebrush with uniform side chains. (A_S - block A with a short side chain, B - block B, A_L - block A with a long side chain).

^[1] Dearman, M.; Ogbonna, N. D.; Amofa, C. A.; Peters, A. J.; Lawrence, J. Versatile strategies to tailor the glass transition temperatures of bottlebrush polymers. Polym. Chem. 2022, 13, 4901–4907.