Attend a seminar on engineering the future with nanofibers: from discovery to societal impact, May 1
About
Karen Lozano is a trustee professor and chair of the materials science and nanoengineering department at Rice University. From 2000 to 2025, she served as the Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor of mechanical engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she founded the Nanotechnology Center and launched the college’s first doctoral degree program in engineering and computer science. Lozano has advanced undergraduate education through research, supporting the success of more than 800 students with a 100% retention and graduation rate, and guiding more than 55 individuals to doctoral degrees. Lozano has been named among the world’s top 2% of scientists for several years and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. She is also a recipient of the United States Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and a TEDx speaker. Lozano is a co-founder of two companies and her Forcespinning® technology has enabled large-scale industrial production of nanofibers.
Abstract
Nanofibers are a transformative class of materials with tunable structures and multifunctional properties that enable advances in health care, energy, environmental remediation and advanced manufacturing. This talk examines the relationships between synthesis, structure and properties that influence nanofiber performance, along with scalable manufacturing strategies that connect laboratory discoveries to real-world applications. Recent advances in Forcespinning® and related processing approaches have expanded the ability to design nanofiber systems with tailored structural, electrical, thermal, catalytic and optical properties at industrially relevant scales. These developments demonstrate the role of materials science in advancing high-impact technologies. Beyond research, nanofiber platforms also support education and institutional growth. By integrating research with mentoring and student engagement, this work shows how innovation can support student success, strengthen academic programs and extend impact beyond the laboratory. The talk highlights a broader vision of engineering materials to advance technology while creating opportunities and supporting communities.
Engineering the Future with Nanofibers: From discovery to societal impact seminar
Friday, May 1, 2026
11 a.m.–noon
Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12 (ITSB 12) room 215, Polytechnic campus [map]