Melissa Gordon

Melissa Gordon is an Assistant Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at Lafayette College. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware (2017) and a B.S. from Lafayette College (2011). Her research focuses on developing bio-inspired smart materials, including self-healing polymers and bio-based plastics derived from natural resources like birch bark and plant oils. She has been awarded NSF CAREER and ACS grants to advance these projects.

Dr. Gordon teaches courses in materials science and polymers, emphasizing real-world applications and innovative teaching methods. She actively mentors undergraduate students on honors theses and collaborates with researchers to refine sustainable materials. As Lafayette’s Chemical Engineering outreach coordinator, she engages in STEM education outreach for high school students and fourth graders. Her work bridges liberal arts and engineering education, reflecting Lafayette’s unique interdisciplinary focus.

Key research trends in her articles (2017–2025) include CO2-responsive hydrogels, bio-based thermosets/plastics, and stress-responsive polymer networks. These studies emphasize sustainability, material degradation, and biomimetic design. Over 15 publications explore topics like hydrogel phase transitions, biopolymer synthesis, and rheological aging in colloidal systems.

Her honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2021) and ACS New Investigator Grant (2017). She leads Lafayette’s Chemical Engineering outreach initiatives, bridging academic research with community engagement.