Mark R. Marten

Mark R. Marten is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in the College of Engineering and Information Technology, Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering. He leads the Marten Lab, which focuses on understanding and manipulating microbial expression systems.

Education:

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1991
• M.S. Chemical Engineering – Purdue University, 1988
• B.S. Chemical Engineering – State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986

Research interests center on fungal biology and biotechnology, particularly using advanced analytical tools like electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and proteomic analysis to study fungal cell walls and stress responses. Current projects investigate autophagy mechanisms and morphology-secretion relationships in filamentous fungi.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Aspergillus nidulans cell wall stress responses, kinase signaling pathways, and mycelial material properties. Research integrates molecular biology with materials science, showing consistent themes in fungal adaptation mechanisms and biotechnological applications.

Lab activities include collaborative projects on plant phenotype design, antifungal mechanisms, and nano-mechanical characterization of fungal structures.