Benjamin R McDonald

Benjamin R McDonald is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Engineering at Brown University, where his research develops polymeric materials with programmable reactivity and assembly to address human health and sustainability challenges. He holds a BS from the University of North Carolina Asheville (2012) and a PhD from Northwestern University (2018), followed by postdoctoral training at MIT (2018-2021) under Prof. Tim Swager.

His educational background includes:

• BS in Chemistry, University of North Carolina Asheville (2012)
• PhD in Chemistry, Northwestern University (2018)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018-2021)

McDonald's research spans Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, and Organic Synthesis, with core expertise in self-assembly, colloids, hierarchical materials, and soft materials. His group creates bioinspired macromolecular systems that mimic nature's multiscale organization, focusing on dynamic materials for applications ranging from structural coloration to chemical protection. The interdisciplinary approach integrates organic synthesis, emulsion science, and polymer physics to engineer responsive nanocomposites.

His publication record reveals strong trends in photoredox catalysis, high-throughput discovery, and functional nanomaterials. Key themes include autonomously responsive membranes for defense applications, machine learning-enhanced chemiresistive sensors for food safety, and plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies for dynamic coloration. These works consistently bridge fundamental organic chemistry with practical materials engineering challenges.

Notable recognitions include:

• Department of Chemistry Award for Outstanding Service (MIT)
• MLK Visiting Professors and Scholars Fellowship (MIT)
• Dreyfus Teaching Award (Northwestern)
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Northwestern)

As head of the McDonald Laboratory, he mentors students across chemistry and engineering disciplines, providing training in organic synthesis, colloid science, and advanced characterization techniques. His collaborative research involves multiple grants supporting interdisciplinary work in bioinspired materials, though specific funding sources aren't detailed in the provided text.

The McDonald Laboratory for Bioinspired Macromolecular Materials operates through three synergistic teams: the Polymer Topology group developing stimuli-responsive soft materials; the Nanomaterials (Nano/ZIP) team engineering macromolecular dispersants for nanocomposites; and the High Throughput team creating rapid mechanical characterization methods. This structure enables systematic exploration from molecular design to functional material implementation.