Justin R. Barone

Justin R. Barone is a Professor in the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Virginia Tech, where he has held continuous faculty positions since 2007, achieving full Professorship in 2018. His research integrates polymer science with sustainable engineering practices, focusing on biobased materials and environmental impact mitigation.

His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (2000), an M.S. in Engineering Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (1997), and a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Lehigh University (1994). Prior to Virginia Tech, he gained industry experience at Polymer Diagnostics, Inc. and research expertise at USDA/ARS.

Professor Barone's research centers on biopolymers and bioinspired materials that self-assemble in aqueous environments at ambient temperatures, yielding sustainable and biodegradable products. His Biopolymers and Bioinspiration Laboratory explores protein-based elastomers, microplastic transport dynamics, and agricultural protein utilization in rubber composites. Key innovations include gelatin actuators mimicking biological movements and zinc-free rubber formulations using wheat proteins.

His publication record reveals strong trends in soft matter physics and environmental polymer science, particularly in viscoelastic shape-shifting materials and microplastic characterization. The work bridges fundamental polymer mechanics with practical sustainability applications, often leveraging agricultural byproducts for circular economy solutions.

Professional recognitions include:

• Editorial board membership for Green Materials (2019-present)
• Editorial board membership for Scientific Reports (2014-present)

He actively mentors undergraduate researchers (9 in the past 5 years), graduate students, and senior design teams while directing the ICTAS-REU program on Soft Matter Physics. As faculty advisor for the Virginia Tech ACS Rubber Division chapter, he connects academic research with industry practices. His K-12 outreach programs demonstrate biopolymer concepts through hands-on gummy bear and Jell-O plastic experiments.

The Biopolymers and Bioinspiration Laboratory serves as an interdisciplinary hub where mechanical engineering principles intersect with biological phenomena to develop next-generation sustainable materials.