Utkarsh Kapoor

Utkarsh Kapoor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wyoming, affiliated with the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computing and holds the distinguished title of UW Derecho Professor.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 2018
• B.E. (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS)-Pilani, India, 2012

His research centers on computational biophysics and biomolecular engineering, with a focus on self-assembly, phase separation, and polymer nanocomposites. Using multiscale modeling, molecular dynamics, and machine learning, his lab investigates protein-nucleic acid interactions and designs novel biomaterials. His work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging chemical engineering, biophysics, and computational science.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in computational modeling of biomolecular systems, particularly in understanding phase separation phenomena and nanoparticle-polymer interactions. These studies employ advanced simulation techniques to probe molecular mechanisms underlying biological organization and material design.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• NIH Wyoming INBRE Pilot Project funding
• 2024 Spring Faculty Fellow Award, School of Computing
• UW Derecho Professor
• OSU Graduate Research Excellence Award (2019)
• OSU Foundation Distinguished Graduate Fellowship (2017)
• Robert L. Robinson Endowed Fellowship (2017)
• Halliburton Graduate Fellowship in Engineering (2015)
• Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scholarship (2015)
• ISA Scholarship (2016–2019)

Dr. Kapoor advises graduate students and leads the Kapoor Lab, which has secured competitive funding including NIH support. His collaborative research program integrates theory, simulation, and interdisciplinary science to advance bioengineering applications. He actively participates in academic service, including chairing sessions at AIChE and giving invited seminars.

The Kapoor Lab is an active research group focused on computational biophysics, with ongoing projects in protein phase separation, chromatin organization, and polymer nanocomposites. The lab fosters a collaborative environment and is part of broader initiatives at the University of Wyoming, including the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program and the School of Computing.