Wesley R. Burghardt

Wesley R. Burghardt is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Engineering and Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering. He oversees undergraduate education programs, curriculum development, and student development initiatives. His research focuses on understanding the dynamics of complex fluids and polymer systems, employing advanced techniques like X-ray scattering and flow birefringence. He holds a BS from the University of Illinois and a PhD from Stanford University in Chemical Engineering.

Research Interests:

• Rheology of structured fluids, including polymers, block copolymers, and liquid crystalline materials
• Flow-induced structural changes in complex fluids
• Development of real-time measurement techniques for polymer dynamics

Scientific Contributions: His work bridges fundamental polymer physics and applied materials science, with recent studies in triblock copolymer alignment, gel mechanics under deformation, and bioink optimization for bioprinting. Awards include the Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence (2011).

Labs & Facilities: Utilizes the Advanced Photon Source synchrotron for X-ray scattering experiments, advancing real-time structural analysis during flow. His research integrates theoretical models with experimental validation in polymer rheology.