mphowardlab · mphoward · Aug 29, 2025 · May 27, 2025 · May 27, 2025 · May 27, 2025
diff --git a/_cite/.cache/a4/09/53aa638de4b1e7f716861d96ad96.val b/_cite/.cache/a4/09/53aa638de4b1e7f716861d96ad96.val
diff --git a/_cite/.cache/cache.db b/_cite/.cache/cache.db
diff --git a/_data/citations.yaml b/_data/citations.yaml
@@ -1,5 +1,47 @@
 # DO NOT EDIT, GENERATED AUTOMATICALLY
 
+- id: doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c01451
+  title: Approximation of Anisotropic Pair Potentials Using Multivariate Interpolation
+  authors:
+  - Mohammadreza Fakhraei
+  - Chris A. Kieslich
+  - Michael P. Howard
+  publisher: The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
+  date: '2025-06-27'
+  link: https://doi.org/g9tpzc
+  orcid: 0000-0002-9561-4165
+  plugin: orcid.py
+  file: orcid.yaml
+- id: doi:10.1063/5.0260883
+  title: Exploring the role of hydrodynamic interactions in spherically confined drying
+    colloidal suspensions
+  authors:
+  - Mayukh Kundu
+  - Kritika Kritika
+  - Yashraj M. Wani
+  - Arash Nikoubashman
+  - Michael P. Howard
+  publisher: The Journal of Chemical Physics
+  date: '2025-04-18'
+  link: https://doi.org/g9mf2h
+  orcid: 0000-0002-9561-4165
+  plugin: orcid.py
+  file: orcid.yaml
+- id: doi:10.1039/D4SM01301H
+  title: Effects of ligand <i>vs.</i> linker on phase behavior and mechanical properties
+    of nanoparticle gels
+  authors:
+  - Qizan Chen
+  - Dinesh Sundaravadivelu Devarajan
+  - Arash Nikoubashman
+  - Michael P. Howard
+  - Jeetain Mittal
+  publisher: Soft Matter
+  date: '2025-01-01'
+  link: https://doi.org/g9mf2j
+  orcid: 0000-0002-9561-4165
+  plugin: orcid.py
+  file: orcid.yaml
 - id: doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c05674
   title: Dynamics of Nanoparticles in Solutions of Semiflexible Ring Polymers
   authors:
@@ -175,22 +217,6 @@
   orcid: 0000-0002-9561-4165
   plugin: orcid.py
   file: orcid.yaml
-- id: doi:10.1101/2022.07.04.498718
-  title: Effect of Charge Distribution on the Dynamics of Polyampholytic Disordered
-    Proteins
-  authors:
-  - Dinesh Sundaravadivelu Devarajan
-  - Shiv Rekhi
-  - Arash Nikoubashman
-  - Young C. Kim
-  - Michael P. Howard
-  - Jeetain Mittal
-  publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
-  date: '2022-07-04'
-  link: https://doi.org/gr2vcm
-  orcid: 0000-0002-9561-4165
-  plugin: orcid.py
-  file: orcid.yaml
 - id: doi:10.1063/5.0075002
   title: Diffusion and sedimentation in colloidal suspensions using multiparticle
     collision dynamics with a discrete particle model

diff --git a/_data/research.yaml b/_data/research.yaml
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@
   repo:
   tags:
 
-- title: Multiscale inverse design of nanocrystal superlattices
+- title: Simulation of hydrodynamic interactions in soft materials
   subtitle:
   group: featured
-  image: images/inverse_design_figure.png
-  link: research#multiscale-inverse-design-of-nanocrystal-superlattices
+  image: images/research-mpcd.jpg
+  link: research#simulation-of-hydrodynamic-interactions-in-soft-materials
   description:
   repo:
   tags:
@@ -33,3 +33,30 @@
   description:
   repo:
   tags:
+
+- title: Molecular simulations of multicomponent transport in polymer membranes
+  subtitle:
+  group: featured
+  image: images/research-multicomp-diff.jpg
+  link: research#molecular-simulations-of-multicomponent-transport-in-polymer-membranes
+  description:
+  repo:
+  tags:
+
+- title: Multiscale inverse design of nanocrystal superlattices
+  subtitle:
+  group: featured
+  image: images/inverse_design_figure.png
+  link: research#multiscale-inverse-design-of-nanocrystal-superlattices
+  description:
+  repo:
+  tags:
+
+- title: Materials optimization for advanced bus technologies
+  subtitle:
+  group: featured
+  image: images/research-transportation.jpg
+  link: research#materials-optimization-for-advanced-bus-technologies
+  description:
+  repo:
+  tags:
diff --git a/_data/software.yaml b/_data/software.yaml
@@ -1,28 +1,37 @@
 - title: relentless
-  subtitle: <a href="https://relentless.readthedocs.io/en/latest/">[docs]</a>
+  subtitle:
   group: featured
   image: images/relentless_icon.png
-  link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/relentless
+  link: https://relentless.readthedocs.io
   description: relentless is an easy-to-use, highly extensible Python package for integrating molecular simulations with optimization for computational materials design.
-  repo: 
+  repo:
   tags:
 
-- title: flyft
+- title: lammpsio
+  subtitle:
+  group: featured
+  image: images/lammpsio_icon.png
+  link: https://lammpsio.readthedocs.io
+  description: lammpsio is a set of Python tools for working with LAMMPS data and dump files.
+  repo:
+  tags:
+
+- title: hoomd.mpcd
   subtitle:
   group: featured
   image: images/software.png
-  link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/flyft
-  description: flyft is a classical density functional theory solver.
-  repo: 
+  link: https://hoomd-blue.readthedocs.io/en/stable/hoomd/module-mpcd.html
+  description: Multiparticle collision dynamics in HOOMD-blue.
+  repo:
   tags:
 
 - title: azplugins
-  subtitle: <a href="https://azplugins.readthedocs.io">[docs]</a>
+  subtitle:
   group: featured
   image: images/software.png
-  link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/azplugins
+  link: https://azplugins.readthedocs.io
   description: azplugins is a component (plugin) for HOOMD-blue which expands its functionality for tackling a variety of problems in soft matter physics.
-  repo: 
+  repo:
   tags:
 
 - title: gsd-vmd
@@ -31,15 +40,14 @@
   image: images/software.png
   link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/gsd-vmd
   description: gsd-vmd provides a VMD molfile plugin reader for GSD files generated by HOOMD-blue.
-  repo: 
+  repo:
   tags:
 
-- title: lammpsio
+- title: flyft
   subtitle:
   group: featured
   image: images/software.png
-  link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/lammpsio
-  description: lammpsio is a set of pure Python tools for working with LAMMPS data and dump files.
-  repo: 
+  link: https://github.com/mphowardlab/flyft
+  description: flyft is a classical density functional theory solver.
+  repo:
   tags:
-
diff --git a/_members/arnsdorff-hollie.md b/_members/arnsdorff-hollie.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+name: Hollie Arnsdorff
+image: images/arnsdorff-hollie.jpg
+role: phd-student
+links:
+  email: [email protected]
+education:
+  - The University of Mississippi, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
+---
+
+Hollie joined the lab in 2025 and is co-advised by Dr. Cassandra Porter. Her 
+research experimentally and computationally studies brush active-layer membranes.
diff --git a/_members/barnett-kaeleb.md b/_members/barnett-kaeleb.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+name: Kaeleb Barnett
+image: images/barnett-kaeleb.jpg
+role: undergrad-alum
+---
+
+Kaeleb worked in the lab during Summer 2025 as an undergraduate researcher with 
+Levi. His project aimed to simulate the dynamics of binary mixtures of rods and
+spheres.
diff --git a/_members/bush-michaela.md b/_members/bush-michaela.md
@@ -8,6 +8,6 @@ education:
   - Auburn University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
 ---
 
-Michaela joined the lab in 2021 and is co-advised by Dr. Chris Kieslich.
-Michaela's research is developing surrogate modeling strategies, based on the
-Smolyak sparse grid approach, for optimization of complex black-box functions.
+Michaela joined the lab in 2021. She is developing our open-source multiparticle
+colision dynamics software in HOOMD-blue to more efficiently simulate
+nanoparticle suspensions.
diff --git a/_members/cha-jinny.md b/_members/cha-jinny.md
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 ---
 name: Jinny Cha
 image: images/cha-jinny.jpg
-role: phd-student
+role: phd-candidate
 links:
   email: [email protected]
 education:
   - Auburn University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
 ---
 
 Jinny joined the lab in 2023. She is developing our open-source multiparticle 
-coliision dynamics software in HOOMD-blue to include complex confining
+colision dynamics software in HOOMD-blue to include complex confining
 boundaries.
diff --git a/_members/cravey-luke.md b/_members/cravey-luke.md
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 name: Luke Cravey
 image: images/cravey-luke.jpg
 role: undergrad-alum
-links:
-email: [email protected]
+education:
+  - Auburn University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2025)
 ---
 
-Luke worked in the lab an undergraduate researcher in Summer 2024 (with Mayukh) 
+Luke worked in the lab an undergraduate researcher in Summer 2024 with Mayukh
 through the CASE REU. He modeled the thermodynamics and self-assembly of patchy 
-colloids. Luke plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering upon graduation.
+colloids.
diff --git a/_members/delatorre-clara.md b/_members/delatorre-clara.md
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 ---
 name: Clara De La Torre
 image: images/delatorre-clara.jpg
-role: ms-student
-links:
-  email: [email protected]
+role: ms-alum
 education:
   - Texas A&M University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
+  - Auburn University, M.S. in Chemical Engineering (2025)
 ---
 
-Clara joined the lab in 2023.
-Clara's research is understanding the effects of polymer architecture
-and hydrophobic association on elastic turbulence in enhanced oil
-recovery.
+Clara worked in the lab from 2023 to 2025. Her research focused on understanding
+the effects of polymer architecture and hydrophobic association on elastic
+turbulence in enhanced oil recovery.
diff --git a/_members/forson-benjamin.md b/_members/forson-benjamin.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+---
+name: Benjamin Forson
+image: images/forson-benjamin.jpg
+role: phd-student
+links:
+  email: [email protected]
+education:
+  - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, B.Sc. Chemical Engineering
+---
+
+Benjamin joined the lab in 2024. His research uses computer modeling to 
+understand, and eventually optimize, the energy efficiency of materials for 
+advanced bus technologies. Additionally, he is using molecular simulations to 
+study transport properties of multicomponent systems through polymer membranes.
diff --git a/_members/frison-noah.md b/_members/frison-noah.md
@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@ education:
   - Auburn University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2024)
 ---
 
-Noah worked in the lab from 2022-2024 to investigate the transport
+Noah worked in the lab from 2022 to 2024 to investigate the transport
 properties of alcohol and water mixtures, with a particular focus on diffusion
 coefficients and viscosity.
diff --git a/_members/hall-brennan.md b/_members/hall-brennan.md
@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@ education:
   - Auburn University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2024)
 ---
 
-Brennan worked in the lab from 2022-2024 to investigate the transport
+Brennan worked in the lab from 2022 to 2024 to investigate the transport
 properties of alcohol and water mixtures, with a particular focus on diffusion
 coefficients and viscosity.
diff --git a/_members/howard-michael.md b/_members/howard-michael.md
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ education:
 Michael P. Howard is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Auburn
 University. He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State
 University and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. His
-research uses computer simulations and statistical mechanics to understand and
-design soft materials—including nanoparticles, polymers, and composites—with a
-focus on nonequilibrium problems where thermodynamic and transport effects
-compete to determine a material’s structure and properties.
+research aims to use modeling and computer simulations to shorten the time and
+reduce the cost of designing soft materials. A key focus is on modeling
+self-assembling materials under realistic processing and use conditions, which
+are difficult to describe because they are often far from equilibrium. He
+received an ACS PRF Doctoral New Investigator grant in 2023 and NSF CAREER
+award in 2025.
diff --git a/_members/mcelheny-dylan.md b/_members/mcelheny-dylan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+name: Dylan McElheny
+image: images/mcelheny-dylan.jpg
+role: undergrad-student
+links:
+  email: [email protected]
+---
+
+Dylan joined the lab in 2025 as an undergraduate researcher working with
+Mohammadreza to use surrogate modeling to approximate pairwise interactions of
+proteins. 
diff --git a/_members/petix-levi.md b/_members/petix-levi.md
@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ education:
   - The University of Mississippi, B.S. in Chemical Engineering
 ---
 
-Levi joined the lab in 2021. His research develops strategies for
-robust multi-scale inverse design of nanocrystal superlattices. 
+Levi joined the lab in 2021. His research develops strategies for robust
+multi-scale inverse design of nanocrystal superlattices. 
diff --git a/images/arnsdorff-hollie.jpg b/images/arnsdorff-hollie.jpg
diff --git a/images/barnett-kaeleb.jpg b/images/barnett-kaeleb.jpg
diff --git a/images/forson-benjamin.jpg b/images/forson-benjamin.jpg
diff --git a/images/lammpsio_icon.png b/images/lammpsio_icon.png
diff --git a/images/mcelheny-dylan.jpg b/images/mcelheny-dylan.jpg
diff --git a/images/research-mpcd.jpg b/images/research-mpcd.jpg
diff --git a/images/research-multicomp-diff.jpg b/images/research-multicomp-diff.jpg
diff --git a/images/research-overview.jpg b/images/research-overview.jpg
diff --git a/images/research-transportation.jpg b/images/research-transportation.jpg
diff --git a/index.md b/index.md
@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@
 
 {% capture text %}
 
-We use multiscale modeling, computer simulations, and fundamental chemical
-engineering concepts to develop new scientific understanding and solutions
-to engineering challenges in soft materials.
+We use multiscale modeling and computer simulations to shorten the time and
+reduce the cost of designing soft materials
 
 {%
   include button.html
@@ -22,17 +21,17 @@ to engineering challenges in soft materials.
 
 {%
   include feature.html
-  image="images/photo.jpg"
+  image="images/research-overview.jpg"
   link="research"
   title="Our Research"
   text=text
 %}
 
 {% capture text %}
 
-We are an active group of graduate and undergraduate researchers working together 
-to make an impact. We strive to become technically outstanding engineers and to 
-develop the future workforce in computational material sciences.
+We are an active group of graduate and undergraduate researchers. We strive to
+become technically outstanding engineers and to develop the future workforce of
+computational scientists.
 
 {%
   include button.html
@@ -57,9 +56,8 @@ develop the future workforce in computational material sciences.
 
 {% capture text %}
 
-We develop new scientific software to enable our own work and to support other
-researchers in our community. We aim to create more open, accessible, and
-reproducible science.
+We develop new software to enable our own work and to support other researchers
+in our community. We aim to create more open and reproducible science.
 
 {%
   include button.html