Dr. Megan Robertson
Neal R. Amundson ProfessorAssociate Chair for Faculty Development
Director, Materials Science and Engineering Program
The objective of our research group is to develop polymeric materials with enhanced physical properties and function. We specialize in polymer synthetic techniques, structural characterization (small-angle neutron, x-ray and light scattering), thermodynamics and self-assembly, and development of structure-property-processing relationships. We work in diverse areas including polymer circularity (polymers derived from renewable resources, (bio)degradable polymers, green chemistry approaches to polymers), advanced resins for polymer composites, structure and dynamics of block copolymer micelles, antifouling polymers and polymer brushes, and thermodynamics of polyolefin and polydiene blends.
Fellow, ACS Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division, 2026
Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, 2025
National Science Foundation Special Creativity Award, 2023
Fellow of the American Chemical Society, 2022
Teaching Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, 2020-2021
Rubber Division Sparks-Thomas Award, American Chemical Society, 2018
University of Houston Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, 2017
Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division Young Investigator, American Chemical Society, 2017
Kavli Fellow, 2015
National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2014
Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program Early Career Award, 2013
Texas Space Grant Consortium New Investigator Award, 2012
Associate Editor, Macromolecules (2023 – present)
Committee Member, Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, National Academies (2021 - 2024)
Editorial Advisory Board, European Polymer Journal (2022 – present)
Editor, European Polymer Journal (2021 – 2022)
Center for Plastics Innovation Scientific Advisory Board (2020 – 2023)
Center for Sustainable Polymers Advisory Board (2020-2024)
ACS Applied Polymer Materials Editorial Advisory Board (2020-2022)
Polymer Chemistry Advisory Board (2020-2023)
Officer, Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division, American Chemical Society (secretary in 2020-2021, vice chair in 2022, chair elect in 2023, chair in 2024, past chair in 2025)
Macromolecules and Macro Letters Editorial Advisory Board (2015-2017)
Director, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Materials Engineering and Sciences Division (2015-2017)
Executive Committee Member, National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research User Group (2013-2018; Chair 2017-2018)
Executive Committee Member, Neutron Scattering Society of America (2015-2017)
Executive Committee Member, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences User Executive Committee (2013-2016)
Board of Directors, South Texas Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers (2013-2016)
Selected Publications
- Berg, R. S.; Shen, M.; Kuriakose, R.; Sherif, N.; Almallahi, R.; Oviedo, C.; Sheu, Y.-M.; Yang, G.; Louie, S. M.; Balan, V.; Robertson, M. L., Thermomechanical Properties of Epoxy Resins from Lignin-Derivable para-Phenolic Acids with Varying Methoxy Content. Macromolecules 2026, 59, 1, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c02611, 2026
- Das, S.; Burkey, A.; Tanveer, M. S.; Mountziaris, I.; Dolinski, N.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L.; Kumar, S. K., Varying the Oxidative Functionalization of Polypropylene Films under Quiescent Conditions. Macromolecules 2026, 59, 4, 1940–1952. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c03413, 2026
- Herrera Monegro, R.; Hanson, J.; Mountziaris, I.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L., Impact of Network Architecture and Crosslink Aggregation on the Crystallization Behavior of a Polypropylene-based Thermoset Polyurethane. Macromolecules 2026, 59, 2, 736–749. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c01880, 2026
- Herrera Monegro, R.; Mountziaris, I.; Tanveer M. S.; Gonzales, K. E.; Das, S.; Kumar, S. K.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L., Oxidative Extrusion of Polypropylene Melts: Impact of Chain-End and In-Chain Functionalization on Thermal Properties, Crystal Structure and Crystallization Kinetics. Macromolecules 2026, 7, 4535–4551. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c02612, 2026
- Le, A. N.; Herrera Monegro, R.; Mountziaris, I.; Avila-Martinez, Y.; Carrow, B. P.; Robertson, M. L.; Krishnamoorti, R., Low-Temperature Thermal Pyrolysis of Polypropylene: Tailoring Molecular Weight and Terminal Vinylidene Functionality for Upcycling. Macromolecules 2025, 58, 8360-8368. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c00998, 2026
- Robertson, M. L., A Celebration of PMSE’s Centennial: Honoring the Legacy and Promising Future of Polymeric Materials. Macromolecules 2026, 59, 1, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5c03011, 2026
- Ammar, A.; Smith, J.; Aslan, U.; Balan, V.; Robertson, M. L.; Karim, A., Pressure Indicator Composite Films via Compressive Deformation of a Translucent Matrix Containing a Contrasting Filler. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2024, 16, 19432–19441. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c18380, 2024
- Ayser, M.; Tonny, W.; Sanchez Hernandez, I.; Kuriakose, R.; Smith, J. D.;††† Wallaert, S. J.; Karim, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Balan, V., Fractionating Chitin-Glucan Complex and Coproducts from Pleurotus Ostreatus Mushrooms. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2024, 15, 2897-2910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-023-02364-5, 2024
- Ding, W.; Hanson, J.; Shi, Y.; Yao, Y.; Robertson, M. L., Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomers through Incorporating Ionic Interactions. Macromolecules 2024, 57, 17, 8306–8319. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01387, 2024
- Herrera Monegro, R.; Gonzalez, K.; Graham, S.; Guerrero, M.; Robertson, M. L.; Henderson, J., Learning from Tomorrow's Recyclers: Extension of Hands-on Recycled Waste Activity. Journal of Chemical Education 2024, 101, 2899-2902. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00387, 2024
- Herrera Monegro, R.; Graham, S.; Steele, J.; Robertson, M. L.; Henderson, J. , Hands-on Activity Illustrating the Sorting Process of Recycled Waste and Its Role in Promoting Sustainable Solutions. Journal of Chemical Education 2024, 101, 1899−1904. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01128, 2024
- Herrera Monegro, R.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L., Functionalization and Repurposing of Polypropylene to a Thermoset Polyurethane. ACS Macro Lett. 2024, 13, 11, 1442–1448. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00505, 2024
- Full list of publications: http://robertsongroup.chee.uh.edu/publications.html