Edgardo Farinas

Edgardo Farinas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He previously served as Chair of the department from 2012 to 2017, and held faculty roles since 2004. His research focuses on protein engineering, nanotechnology, and biocatalysis, with applications in environmental remediation, biomedical materials, and enzyme design.

Farinas earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz (1997), and B.S. in Chemistry from Loyola University Chicago (1990). He conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Texas at Austin, California Institute of Technology, and Yale University.

His laboratory develops innovative technologies such as Bacillus subtilis spore display systems for protein engineering, antiviral nanomaterials, and augmented reality tools for macromolecular visualization. Notable projects include designing carbon nanotube-based water purification membranes and engineering enzymes for enhanced stability and specificity.

Research themes span biocatalytic systems, nanomaterials for environmental applications, and directed evolution techniques. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry with practical applications in medicine, sustainability, and education. The Farinas Laboratory website (https://sites.google.com/njit.edu/farinaslaboratory) provides further details on ongoing projects and collaborations.