Principal Investigator
Prof. Orlando J. Rojas
Director of the Biobased Colloids and Materials (BiCMat)
Director of the Bioproducts Institute
Orlando Rojas vision
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Our research group
BiCMat is a diverse group of talented individuals, each with their own particular strengths and areas of study. We have created six specialized sub-groups for our UBC researchers in order to take advantage of these strengths and apply them to our work.
Learn about our activities outside the labs
Support team
Dr. Ran Bi
Lab Manager
PhD Microbiology, KTH (2016)
Polysaccharide and lignin fractionation and modification.
Ayako Takagi
Industrial Designer, Emily Carr Art and Design University, Vancouver
Sustainable design, papermaking, 3D modeling/rendering
Hélène Day Fraser
Associate Professor, Emily Carr Art and Design University, Vancouver
textile adaptation, clothing, material practice, co-creative, Transition Design, Discursive Design, Critical Use
Polyaromatics, Extractives and Bioactives sub-group
Dr. Oliver Musl
Group leader
PhD Advanced Biorefineries: Chemistry & Materials, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria (2022)
Lignin analysis, fractionation & materials
Marina Mehling
PhD student, University of British Columbia
Synthetic biology, plant biology and bioprocessing.
Xun Niu
PhD student, University of British Columbia,
Nanjing Forestry University, Aalto University
Bacteria cellulose, bark extractives, functional supraparticles
Gio Ferson Bautista
PhD student (Chemistry), University of British Columbia
Bark extractives
Daniel Barker-Rothschild
PhD student, University of British Columbia, MSc. Chem. Eng. University of Alberta (2022)
Lignin chemistry, engineering, valorization
Dr. Bruno Mattos
Ph.D. Materials Science, Universidade Federal do Paraná
Supracolloids and controlled release
Micro/Nanomaterials & Multiphases sub-group
Dr. Yi Lu
Group leader
PhD Chem Eng, University of Alberta (2020).
Colloids and Interfaces, Multiphase systems, Self-assembly, Living matters, Machine learning
Xiaoya (Coco) Su
Master student, University of British Columbia
Nanochitin, Pickering emulsions, Kinetics modeling
Yeedo Chun
PhD student, University of British Columbia
Cellulosic foams, microfluidics, multiphase systems
Peipei Wang
PhD student, Nanjing Forestry University
Enzyme hydrolysis
Ying Liu
PhD candidate, Nanjing Forestry University
Nanochitin, Nanocellulose, Pickering emulsion and Pickering foam
Fibers and Fibrillated (ligno)cellulose sub-group
Dr. Tianyu Guo
Group leader
PhD Nanjing Forestry University (2020)
Bioinspired nanomaterials, Wearable electronics, Interfacial chemistry
Dr. Yizhou Sang
PhD Chemical Eng., University of British Columbia (2012)
Polymer chemistry, wet-end paper chemistry, bioproduct development.
Samuel Hahn
Master student, University of British Columbia
Nanocelluloses
Samantha Pritchard
Master student, University of British Columbia
Cellulose nanocrystals
Roberta Teixeirapolez
3D Printing
Co-advised with Prof. Monika Österberg at Aalto University
Interfaces, Adsorption and Computational sub-group
Dr. Sameer Mhatre
Group leader
PhD Chem Eng, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (2014)
Soft matter physics, Electrohydrodynamics, multiphases, thin films.
Zhangmin Wan
PhD student, University of British Columbia
Atomic simulations, Crystallography, Thermodynamics, Nanomechanical research.
Praven Kamalanathan
Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
Foam Forming Technology, Bio-based Product Development
Farhad Ahmadijokani
PhD student, University of British Columbia (UBC-O)
MOF, water remediation
Zhaodong Ding
PhD student, Nanjing Forestry University
Cellulose-based friction material
Haider Iftikhar
Tribocharging
Multiscale Materials sub-group
Dr. Jingqian Chen
Group leader
PhD, Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia (2020)
Reaction kinetics, Lignin particles, Fiber fragmentation
Dr. Yeling Zhu
PhD, Chem Eng, University of Alberta (2019)
Biobased materials, cellulose foam
Xuetong Shi
PhD student, University of British Columbia
Functionalized wood, phase change composite materials.
Prottasha Sarker
Rheology of bio-based hydrogels
Co-advised with Prof. Saad Khan, NC State University
Dr. Johanna Majoinen
Ph.D. Applied Physics, Aalto University
Self-assembly and cellulose functionalization