º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½

Dr. Raj K. Vinnakota

Director of the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
123 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

rvinnakota@troy.edu 
Telephone: 334-808-6277
http://spectrum.troy.edu/rvinnakota/

Dr. Vinnakota is Director of the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences and an Asociate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University. Dr. Vinnakota joined º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in 2020 and holds a Ph.D. in Engineering (Engineering Physics concentration) from Louisiana Tech University, along with master's degrees in Microsystems Engineering, Applied Physics, and Electrical Engineering. Following his doctorate, he conducted postdoctoral research at Louisiana Tech University's Computational Electromagnetism Research Lab (CERL) and the Institute for Micromanufacturing (IFM), gaining extensive experience in cutting-edge technologies. His research interests include: Novel Optoelectronic Devices, Metal and Semiconductor based Plasmonics and enhanced light matter interactions, Nanophotonics, Heat Transfer. 

Dr. Zhiyong Wang

Chair, Department of Chemistry and Physics
Associate Professor of Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
315 McCall Hall (MSCX)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

wangz@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-670-3573

Dr. Zhiyong Wang is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University and an Associate Professor of Chemistry. His current research interest is in using Organic Chemistry as a tool to explore two areas: 1) The rational construction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for clean energy-related applications including methane storage, hydrogen storage, and carbon dioxide capture; 2) The genetic incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins and labeling of proteins with small molecule probes. 

Dr. Shaoyang Liu

Professor of Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
130 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

lius@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-808-6556

Dr. Shaoyang Liu received his B.S. in Applied Chemistry and later earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). After graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher and later as a Research Fellow at Auburn University. In 2012, he joined the faculty at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University. His research endeavors are primarily centered on the application of diverse advanced analytical instruments in the realms of plastic recycling and the development of innovative materials. 

Dr. Michael Enayati

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
129 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

menayati@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-670-3577

Dr. Michael Enayati received his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Tehran. After graduation, he worked for 5 years as an assistant professor. He then joined the University of Pennsylvania as a postdoctoral research associate (2015-2017), followed by another postdoc and a senior research associate position at Cornell University (2017-2020). His research was focused on controlled (living) radical polymerizations, surface-initiated Cu(0)-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (Cu(0)-RDRP), synthesis and characterization of polymer beads and ion-exchange resins, microencapsulation of active ingredients, and waste to value-added products. By joining º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in 2021, his research is mainly focused on “polymer recycling."

Dr. Amanda Kennell

Assistant Professor of Physics

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
121 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

akennell@troy.edu 
Telephone: 334-808-6759

Dr. Amanda Kennell received her PhD in physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Her research is multifaceted in material fabrication through nanofibers and study of the material's properties and behavior in a physiological environment.  Dr. Kennell's research interests are in electrohydrodynamics, tissue engineering, biomechanical engineering, and filtration.  

Dr. Aboulfazl Barati

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
119 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

abarati@troy.edu 
Telephone: 334-670-5939

Dr. Aboulfazi Barati earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Petroleum University of Technology (Iran), and later his Master and Ph.D. in Chemical (Polymer) Engineering at the Tarbiat Modares University (Iran). His educational background, graduate, and postgraduate training and research represents his expertise in polymer science and engineering, recycling and sustainability, and process-structure-property relationships. Dr. Barati commenced his role as a postdoctoral research associate at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in June 2022. In 2024, he joined the faculty at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University. Currently, his research interest is focused on developing new methods for recycling/upcycling of polymer materials. This involves exploring various facets, such as processing, characterization, and application of synthetic, natural, and hybrid (composite) polymers. 

Dr. Brooke Otten

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
002B Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

botten@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-670-3576

Dr. Brooke Otten received her Bachelor and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Texas. After graduation she worked as a visiting assistant professor at Vassar College in New York. Dr. Otten joined º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in August 2021. Her research interest include catalytic and structural studies of Au(I) compounds through both computational and experimental means. 

Dr. Shaimum Shahriar

Assistant Professor of Electronics and Electrical Engineering 
Department of Chemistry and Physics

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
University Park, 518 S Brundidge St, Suite #120, Room #101A
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36081

sshahriar@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-808-6723

Dr. Shaimum Shahriar is an Assistant Professor in the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Program at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso in December 2019, where his research focused on organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells. He specialized in the fabrication and characterization of perovskite thin films and planar solar cells. Prior to joining the Department of Chemistry and Physics at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in Fall 2023, Dr. Shahriar worked as a Post-Doctoral Scholar researching bioinspired spatially varying photonic crystals (SVPCs) for chemical warfare agent (CWA) sensors. These structures were created using multi-photon lithography (MPL) to emulate natural nanophotonic structures. His current research interests include flexible solar cells, energy-harvesting materials and technologies, nano-mechanical energy harvesting, and photonic sensors. 

Nicholas Johnson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Electrical 
and Electronics Engineering
Department of Chemistry and Physics
College of Science and Engineering

Dr. Nicholas Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½. He earned his bachelor's degree at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in 2021, and his PhD at the University of Florida in 2026. Dr. Johnson is an active member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, which works to operate and improve the U.S.-based gravitational wave detectors known as LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory).  Through his work in LIGO, Dr. Johnson has had the opportunity to share his research across the world, including Japan, Australia, and Italy. Specifically, Dr. Johnson's research work focuses on improving gravitational wave detectors by developing new or improved laser and optical technologies. 

Dr. Gopal Agarwal

Assistant Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Department of Physics and Chemistry

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
Room 002B, Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

gagarwal@troy.edu 

Dr. Gopal Agarwal received his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad, India. His doctoral research in Dr. Akshay Srivastava's lab focused on the development of electroconductive and porous hydrogels for spinal cord regeneration and stem cell delivery. Following his doctoral training, Dr. Agarwal joined the University of Florida as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Christine E. Schmidt in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (2022–2026). During his postdoctoral training, he developed clinically relevant injectable hydrogels derived from natural tissues, including peripheral nerve, for cell delivery and tissue regeneration.

Dr. Agarwal's laboratory at the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS) at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University focuses on the development of biomaterials and smart hydrogel systems derived from natural and engineered materials for cell and biomolecule delivery, tissue regeneration, and biomedical applications. His research integrates biomaterials science, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine to develop innovative strategies for repairing and restoring damaged tissues.

Rebecca A. Frederick, Ph.D.

Dr. Frederick earned her bachelor's (B.S.E.) and master's (M.S.) degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and then continued her education at The University of Texas at Dallas where she completed her doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in May of 2021. She then worked as a Post-Doctoral Scholar at UT Dallas and at The University of Oregon from 2021 to July of 2026. Dr. Frederick joined º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University in August of 2026, as faculty in the Biological and Environmental Sciences Department. Dr. Frederick's research interests include: testing and development of new neurotechnology, treating motor dysfunction through electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles, and studying fundamental mechanisms underlying communication between implanted electrical hardware and biological tissue. Dr. Frederick's research interests also extend to projects focused on science communication, design and data visualizations, open-science / data sharing / information repositories, open-source tools for research and education, and methods for effective mentorship and career coaching in STEM.

Dr. Bahareh Mirmashhouri

Postdoctoral Researcher
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
001 Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

bmirmashhouri@troy.edu

At º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University, Dr. Mirmashhouri's primary role as a Postdoctoral Associate is to advance polymer chemistry with a special focus on recycling innovations. Her experience at Terasaki and CCERCI honed her expertise in synthesis and characterization, enabling precise analysis and development of advanced polymers that address critical recycling challenges.

Dena G Byars

Assistant to the Director
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University
321C McCall Hal (MSCX)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, AL 36082

dbyars@troy.edu
Telephone: 334-808-6721