Joshua Tropp

Joshua Tropp is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Texas Tech University, specializing in advanced organic electronic materials for environmental and healthcare applications. His research bridges polymer chemistry, materials science, and biomedical engineering to develop next-generation sensing platforms.

Education:

• ACS Certified B.A. in Chemistry, Washington & Jefferson College (2011)
• Ph.D. in Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi (2020)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering, Northwestern University

Research Interests:

Dr. Tropp's work centers on organic electronic materials and bioelectronics, with emphasis on conjugated polymers for environmental sensing and electroactive biomaterials for medical applications. His lab pioneers NIR-II emitting nanoparticles for cancer diagnostics, conductive hydrogels for neural interfaces, and paper-based sensors for environmental contaminants. Key projects include bioimaging agents, electrochemical biosensors, and sustainable polymer synthesis methodologies, addressing critical needs in precision medicine and ecological monitoring through interdisciplinary innovation.

Publication Trends:

Analysis of Dr. Tropp's 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in NIR-II bioimaging (40% of articles), conductive hydrogel systems (33%), and organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (27%). His work consistently integrates polymer chemistry with biomedical challenges, particularly in tumor visualization, nerve regeneration, and environmental sensor development. Emerging trends include standardized characterization protocols and molecular engineering approaches to enhance material performance in complex biological environments.

Scientific Awards:

• CAS Future Leader (2020)
• Future Faculty Scholar by ACS PMSE (2022)
• Rising Star in Soft and Biological Matter by Universities of Chicago/San Diego (2022)

Advising and Grants:

Dr. Tropp mentors students in the Tropp Lab through Texas Tech's STEM CORE initiative, focusing on polymer synthesis and materials characterization. His research is funded by NSF and NIH grants supporting electroactive biomaterial development, with recent awards targeting bioelectronic nerve interfaces and environmental sensor platforms. He actively collaborates with biomedical engineers and environmental scientists to translate fundamental discoveries into practical applications.

Labs and Teams:

The Tropp Lab operates within Texas Tech's STEM CORE ecosystem, leveraging interdisciplinary resources for materials characterization and device fabrication. Key collaborations include the Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (legacy from Northwestern) and environmental science groups for Gulf of Mexico monitoring projects. The lab maintains partnerships with Chicago/San Diego institutions following the Rising Star recognition, focusing on soft matter applications in biological systems.