Daeyeon Lee is the Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Seoul National University and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on developing a deep understanding of the interactions between soft materials near or at interfaces and extends the obtained knowledge to direct the assembly of macroscopic structures for applications in healthcare and sustainability. He has won numerous awards, including the 2010 Victor K. LaMer Award, an NSF CAREER Award, the 2013 3M Nontenured Faculty Award, the 2013 AIChE NSEF Young Investigator Award, the 2014 Unilever Award for Young Investigators in Colloid and Surface Science, the 2017 Soft Matter Lectureship Award, and the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award in Nanoscience. He has also received multiple teaching awards, such as the 2016 & 2019 Penn CBE Distinguished Teaching Awards and the 2017 S. Reid Warren, Jr. Award. He held the Evan C. Thompson Endowed Term Chair for Excellence in Teaching from 2020 to 2023.
Research Description
The vision of the Soft Materials Research and Technology (SMART) Lab is to shape the next generation of scientists and engineers by addressing major challenges in soft matter systems for healthcare, energy, and sustainability applications. We realize this vision by tackling fundamental questions inspired by real-world problems, fostered by a collaborative environment within the group. Our research interests span several areas. We conduct fundamental research to unravel the complex behavior of soft matter, especially at or near interfaces, to inform materials design and manufacturing. Leveraging microfluidic technologies, we specialize in the scalable manufacturing of biomaterials and energy materials with precisely engineered structure and properties. Our recent efforts focus on understanding and controlling the thermodynamics and dynamics of polymers in porous solids to optimize polymer upcycling reactions and to fabricate functional nanocomposite membranes and coatings. Our collaborative work with the Stebe Group on bicontinuous emulsion gels aims to enhance the performance of energy storage and conversion devices. Guided by our core values of respect, creativity, innovation, diversity, inclusion, leadership, and teamwork, we aspire to be a leading research group that advances scientific knowledge and nurtures innovative leaders for the future.