We welcome Dr. Laurel Kroo as a new Assistant Professor in the Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, beginning in 2025. Laurel did her PhD at Stanford University and her postdoctoral studies at MIT in the field of complex fluids. Specifically, she studies the non-linear responses of complex fluids, a field termed “rheology” — the study of flow. Dr. Kroo’s research explores how these fluid nonlinearities can be used as a toolkit for constructing adaptive micro-machines. Her work has already led to significant advancements, such as a swimming robot that reports fluid elasticity through its velocity (Kroo et al. 2022, Journal of Fluid Mechanics), and innovative studies on the self-assembly of foam-like materials (Kroo et al. 2023, Soft Matter). Dr. Kroo is a deeply engaged member of the scientific community, and frequently referees articles in Physical Review Fluids, Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, among many others. In addition to her more fundamental scientific work, Dr. Kroo has also been involved with several more applied engineering projects focused on global equity/inclusion, such as the Foldscope Project (Prakash, Cybulski and Kroo, Patent US9810892B2) and a Covid-19 reusable-mask project, termed “Pneumask”, which protected 30,000+ healthcare workers in 2020 (Kroo et al. PlosOne 2021).
Laurel is excited to launch her lab here at UMass PSE in 2025 — a lab which will combine societally-impactful research with deeply fundamental science. The Kroo Group will utilize the unique non-linearities of complex fluids to explore new solutions to large-scale global challenges like decarbonization, battery development and programmatic macromolecular assembly. The theme of her lab will be constructing physiochemical adaptive machines controlled by mechanical / hydrodynamic feedback (such as via flow amplitude, flow type, confinement and activity).
Outside of work, Laurel enjoys music, running and skiing. Prior to her academic research career, Laurel was an intern at NASA, Apple Inc. and several start-ups, and spent several years as a certified private flute instructor (classical performance). We’re excited to see the creativity and energy Dr. Kroo will bring to our department and the broader UMass community!