Kendra Erk

Kendra Erk serves as Associate Professor of Materials Engineering at Purdue University's West Lafayette campus, with offices in both the Engineering Administration (ARMS 2313) and Materials Engineering (ARMS 2315) buildings. She holds dual unit affiliations in Materials Engineering and Sustainability Engineering, while actively participating in the College of Engineering Safety Committee and Environmental Engineering initiatives.

Her research program integrates polymer science with civil infrastructure challenges, specializing in three interconnected domains: (1) superabsorbent polymers for concrete internal curing to enhance durability, (2) rheological characterization of complex fluids including dense suspensions and surfactant systems, and (3) biomass processing for sustainable biofuel production. This interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental materials science with practical engineering applications in sustainable construction and energy systems.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant thematic clusters: concrete technology (53%), rheology of complex fluids (33%), and biomass processing (14%). Key methodological trends include advanced rheometric techniques, microstructural characterization of cementitious systems, and quantitative modeling of transport phenomena. Her work demonstrates consistent translation of fundamental polymer physics to solve industry-relevant problems in construction materials and biorefining.

Dr. Erk has secured significant research funding through competitive grants, including an NSF CAREER award (2015) for developing water-based gels for high-performance concrete curing and an NSF GOALI grant (2021) investigating structure-property relationships in concentrated surfactant solutions. While specific graduate students aren't listed in the provided materials, her active publication record suggests ongoing mentorship within Purdue's Materials Engineering program.

She leads a research group focused on experimental and computational materials engineering, with facilities supporting rheological testing, concrete materials characterization, and biomass processing. Her work maintains strong industry connections through RILEM committee collaborations (TC 260-RSC) and applied research addressing real-world challenges in sustainable infrastructure and energy systems.