Alamgir Karim

Dr. Alamgir Karim is the Dow Chair and Welch Foundation Professor at the University of Houston, leading the International Polymer & Soft Matter Center (IPSMC) and the Doctoral Materials Program. His research focuses on polymer nanotechnology, thin films, and interfaces for energy, sustainability, and health applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Northwestern University and a B.S. from St. Stephen's College, Delhi. Key contributions include polymer nanocomposites, block copolymer thin films, and graphene oxide membranes for desalination. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and AAAS, and a Keck Foundation Award recipient.

Research interests span polymer nanotechnology, dielectric materials, and sustainable nanocomposites. Recent work explores MXene-based biomedical composites, CO₂ capture membranes, and high-energy-density dielectrics. His lab develops functional materials for energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedicine.

• Education: Ph.D., Physics (Northwestern University, 1991); B.S., Physics (St. Stephen's College, 1985)
• Leadership: Director of IPSMC; former Goodyear Chair Professor at University of Akron
• Awards: AAAS Fellowship, APS Fellowship, Keck Foundation Award

Advances in block copolymer self-assembly and nanocomposite design have enabled scalable filtration membranes and high-performance dielectrics. His group collaborates on protocell models and sustainable materials processing.