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Johannes SteinhausView profile

Professor

• Polymer Science
• Polymer Recycling
• Polymer Aging
• +6 more

Professor Johannes Steinhaus serves as both Vice-President for Research and Transfer (VP2) and Professor of Materials Science at Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, specializing in hybrid material systems and failure analysis. He is affiliated with the Department of Natural Sciences and maintains offices in both Sankt Augustin and Rheinbach campuses. His research focuses on Microplastic analysis , Failure analysis , Simulation and durability analysis of rubber components , Real-time analysis of the curing behaviour of thermoset systems , Microscopy in the characterisation of plastics , and Thermal analysis methods (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA and DEA) in polymer development. He is a member of the German Association of Materials Science (DGM). Prof. Steinhaus teaches courses including Additive Manufacturing , Biomedical Materials , Conventional Processing Techniques , Forensic Material Trace and Damage Analysis , Polymer Analytics , Recycling of Plastics and Maritime Waste Problems , and Thermal Analysis of Plastics . His publication record spans from 2005 to 2024, with recent work focusing on microplastic pollution quantification, thermal analysis of polymers, and dental composite curing behavior. His research projects include PAExSiDur (Polymer Ageing in Experiment and Simulation), NaWETec (Sustainability in Materials and Energy Technology), and Denthart. PAExSiDur - Polymer ageing in experiment and simulation for targeted service life extension MOTTSAL - Modeling and Optimization of Transdermal Therapeutic Systems NaWETec - Sustainability in Materials and Energy Technology Denthart - Investigation of curing processes of light-curing dental filling composites Prof. Steinhaus has supervised numerous Bachelor's and Master's theses, both internally and in collaboration with industry partners. His students have worked on topics ranging from microplastic analysis to polymer recycling and dental material characterization. He also organizes professional seminars, including a biennial seminar on damage analysis and component testing of plastics in collaboration with the German Society for Materials Science.

Stephen P. JohnstonView profile

Professor

• Polymer Processing
• Injection Molding
• Process Control
• +4 more

Stephen P. Johnston is a Professor in the Department of Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Francis College of Engineering. He holds a B.S. in Plastics Engineering Technology from Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in Plastics Engineering (2005), and a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering (2007) from UMass Lowell. His industrial experience includes positions at Moldflow Corp., Bausch & Lomb, and Lord Corp. Dr. Johnston's research focuses on polymer processing and product design with specialization in: Injection molding process monitoring, control, and development Computer-aided engineering for part and mold design Process instrumentation and finite element analysis Industrial applications of polymer processing technologies His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on injection molding optimization, sensor-based process control, and polymer characterization. Recent work explores capillary rheometry, microstructured surfaces, and thermally conductive polymers. Significant Awards: Teaching Excellence Awards (2014, 2011) Faculty Member of the Year (2013) Outstanding Paper Award from SPE (2011) Multiple graduate research awards (2004-2006) He leads industrially-funded research supported by over 25 companies, resulting in 40+ publications, a book chapter, and three patents. Johnston advises the Student Chapter of the Society of Plastics Engineers and teaches courses including Mold Design Engineering, Product Design, and Introduction to Engineering.

Zeinab HajjarianView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biomedical Optics
• Laser Speckle Micro-rheology
• Optical Imaging
• +5 more

Zeinab Hajjarian, Ph.D., is an active Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell within the Francis College of Engineering. Her research program bridges soft-matter physics, engineering, and medical diagnostics to develop advanced optical imaging platforms for understanding disease pathophysiology, with particular focus on breast carcinoma. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (2009), an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tehran, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. Hajjarian's research centers on developing optical imaging and sensing technologies that characterize biomechanical and optical properties of tissues, particularly in cancer microenvironments. Her work applies laser speckle micro-rheology to map mechanical properties in tumor microenvironments, investigate cardiovascular conditions, and develop point-of-care coagulation testing devices. She has pioneered techniques for characterizing tissue micromechanical properties using laser speckle fluctuations and has developed multiple apparatus and algorithms for mechano-pathology investigation. Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent advancement in laser speckle rheology applications, with recent work focusing on tissue granularities, viscoelastic spectra of biological tissues, and tumor microenvironment characterization. The research trajectory shows evolution from fundamental optical communications during her doctoral work to sophisticated biomedical applications in disease diagnostics. Selected Awards and Honors: Eleanor & Miles Shore Foundation Fellowship (2020) American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Research Grant (2019) Biomedical Engineering Society Career Development Award (2018) MGH Office of Women's Career Scholarly Writing Award (2017) Gordon Research Conference Best Poster Award (2016) Hajjarian has an exceptional record of innovation with over 20 original manuscripts (14 as first author), two invited review articles, and more than 15 patent applications (6 granted). Her research has significant translational potential for improving diagnostic pipelines and patient outcomes through integration of optical technologies in clinical settings. She previously held positions at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and was promoted to Instructor in the Department of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School in 2013. Her laboratory focuses on developing novel optical microscopes and sensing devices for characterizing biophysical properties of soft tissues and biofluids, with emphasis on translating these technologies to clinical diagnostic applications.