Joey Mead

Prof. Joey Mead is a Professor in the Department of Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), where she also serves as Deputy Director of the NSF NSEC Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing and co-director of the Nanomanufacturing Center. Prior to joining UMass Lowell, she spent over a decade as a materials engineer at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on nanomanufacturing, polymer science, and advanced material applications, including superhydrophobic coatings, additive manufacturing of elastomers, and composite materials.

Education: She holds a B.S. in Chemistry (1981) and M.S./Ph.D. in Polymer Science (1984/1986), all from MIT. Her expertise bridges fundamental polymer science with applied engineering solutions, particularly in developing durable, functional materials for industrial and defense applications. She collaborates internationally, including with Shenkar College in Israel.

Research Interests: Her work emphasizes nanoscale material design, surface engineering for enhanced material properties (e.g., ice resistance, UV stability), and scalable manufacturing processes. Recent studies include optimizing additive manufacturing techniques for elastomers and analyzing the impact of nanoparticles on polymer performance.

Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives at the NSF-funded nanomanufacturing center, focusing on high-rate nanoscale production and sustainable material synthesis. Her projects often address challenges in aerospace, defense, and biomedical fields.