Faculty

Associate Chair for Faculty Development and Inclusive Excellence

The objective of my research program is to develop polymeric materials with enhanced physical properties and function. My group is currently working in five areas of emphasis: 1) sustainable and biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources; 2) advanced materials for wind energy; 3) structure and dynamics of block copolymer micelles; 4) pH-responsive, antifouling polymer brushes; and 5) multicomponent and multiphase polymer blends. 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 relationships.
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
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)
ACS Applied Polymer Materials Editorial Advisory Board (2020-2022)
Polymer Chemistry Advisory Board (2020-2021)
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)
Selected Publications
- Liu, M., et al., “Bond Behavior of Epoxy Resin-Polydicyclopentadiene Phase Separated Interpenetrating Networks for Adhering Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer to Steel.” Polymer Engineering and Science 60, 104-112., 2020
- Conrad, J. C. and M. L. Robertson, "Towards mimicking biological function with responsive surface-grafted polymer brushes." Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science 23(1): 1-12., 2019
- Ding, W. Y. and M. L. Robertson, "Sustainable thermoplastic elastomers with a transient network." European Polymer Journal 113: 411-423., 2019
- Rohde, B. J., et al., "Nanostructured Thermoset/Thermoset Blends Compatibilized with an Amphiphilic Block Copolymer." Macromolecules 52(8): 3104-3114., 2019
- Shen, M. J., et al., "Accelerated hydrolytic degradation of ester-containing biobased epoxy resins." Polymer Chemistry 10(23): 3217-3229., 2019
- Shi, Y., et al., "Chemically inert covalently networked triazole-based solid polymer electrolytes for stable all-solid-state lithium batteries." Journal of Materials Chemistry A 7(34): 19691-19695., 2019
- Cooksey, T. J.; Singh, A.; Le, K. M.; Wang, S.; Kelley, E. G.; He, L.; Vajjala Kesava, S.; Gomez, E. D.; Kidd, B. E.; Madsen, L. A.; Robertson, M. L., "Tuning Biocompatible Block Copolymer Micelles by Varying Solvent Composition: Core/Corona Structure and Solvent Uptake," Macromolecules, 50, 4322-4334 [DOI], 2017
- Ding, W.; Wang, S.; Yao, K.; Ganewatta, M. S.; Tang, C.; Robertson, M. L., "Physical Behavior of Triblock Copolymer Thermoplastic Elastomers Containing Sustainable Rosin-Derived Polymethacrylate End Blocks," ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 5, 11470-11480 [DOI], 2017
- Garcia, J. M.; Robertson, M. L., "The Future of Plastics Recycling," Science, 358, 870-872 [Link], 2017
- Kidd, B. E.; Li, X.; Piemonte, R C.; Cooksey, T. J.; Singh, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Madsen, L. A., "Tuning Biocompatible Block Copolymer Micelles by Varying Solvent Composition: Dynamics and Populations of Micelles and Unimers," Macromolecules, 50, 4335-4343 [DOI], 2017
- Yadav, V.; Jaimes-Lizcano, Y. A.; Dewangan, N. K.; Park, N.; Li, T. H.; Robertson, M. L.; Conrad, J. C., "Tuning Bacterial Attachment and Detachment via the Thickness and Dispersity of a pH-Responsive Polymer Brush," ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9, 44900-44910 [DOI], 2017
- Ganewatta, M. S., Ding, W. Y., Rahman, M. A., Yuan, L., Wang, Z. K., Hamidi, N., Tang, C. B, "Biobased Plastics and Elastomers from Renewable Rosin via "Living" Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization," Macromolecules, 49, 7155-7164 [DOI], 2016
- Kristufek, S. L.; Yang, G.; Link, L. A.; Rohde, B. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Wooley, K. L., "Synthesis, Characterization and Cross-linking Strategy of a Quercetin-based Epoxidized Monomer as a Naturally-Derived Replacement for DGEBA in Epoxy Resins," ChemSusChem, 9, 2135-2142 [DOI], 2016
- Mauck, S. C.; Wang, S.; Ding, W.; Rohde, B. J.; Fortune, C. K.; Yang, G.; Ahn, S. K.; Robertson, M. L., "Biorenewable Tough Blends of Polylactide and Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil Compatibilized by a Polylactide Star Polymer," Macromolecules, 49, 1605-1615 [DOI], 2016
- Pesek, S. L.; Lin, Y. H.; Mah, H. Z.; Kasper, W.; Chen, B.; Rohde, B. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Stein, G. E.; Verduzco, R., "Synthesis of Bottlebrush Copolymers based on Poly(dimethylsiloxane) for Surface Active Additives," Polymer, 98, 495-504 [DOI], 2016
- Rohde, B. J.; Le, K. M.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Robertson, M. L., "Thermoset Blends of an Epoxy Resin and Polydicyclopentadiene," Macromolecules, 49, 8960-8970 [DOI], 2016
- Wang, S.; Ding, W.; Yang, G.; Robertson, M. L., "Biorenewable Thermoplastic Elastomeric Triblock Copolymers containing Salicylic Acid-Derived End-Blocks and a Fatty Acid-Derived Midblock," Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 217, 292-303 [DOI], 2016
- Wang, S.; Xie, R.; Vajjala Kesava, S.; Gomez, E. D.; Cochran, E. W.; Robertson, M. L., "Close-Packed Spherical Morphology in an ABA Triblock Copolymer Aligned with Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear," Macromolecules, 49, 4875-4888 [DOI], 2016
- Xie, M.; Wang, S.; Singh, A.; Cooksey, T. J.; Marquez, M. D.; Bhattarai, A.; Kourentzi, K.; Robertson, M. L., "Fluorophore Exchange Kinetics in Block Copolymer Micelles with Varying Solvent- Fluorophore and Solvent-Polymer Interactions." Soft Matter, 12, 6196-6205 [Link], 2016
- Yadav, V.; Harkin, A. V.; Robertson, M. L.; Conrad, J. C., “Hysteretic Memory in pH-Response of Water Contact Angle on Poly(acrylic acid) Brushes,” Soft Matter, 12, 3589-3599 [Link], 2016
- Yang, G.; Kristufek, S. L.; Link, L. A.; Wooley, K. L.; Robertson, M. L., "Thiol-Ene Elastomers Derived from Biobased Phenolic Acids with Varying Functionality," Macromolecules, 49, 7737-7748 [DOI], 2016
- Yang, G.; Rohde, B. J.; Tesefay, H.; Robertson, M. L., "Biorenewable Epoxy Resins Derived from Plant-Based Phenolic Acids," ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 4, 6524-6533 [DOI], 2016
- Rohde, B. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Krishnamoorti, R., "Concurrent Curing Kinetics of an Anhydride-Cured Epoxy Resin and Polydicyclopentadiene," Polymer, 69, 204-214 [Link], 2015
- Wang, S.; Robertson, M.L., "Thermodynamic Interactions between Polystyrene and Long-Chain Poly(n-alkyl acrylates) Derived from Plant Oils," ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7, 12109-12118 [DOI], 2015
- Yang, G.; Kristufek, S. L.; Link, L. A.; Wooley, K. L.; Robertson, M. L., "Synthesis and Physical Properties of Thiol-Ene Networks Utilizing Plant-Derived Phenolic Acids,"Macromolecules, 48, 8418-8427 [DOI], 2015
- Wang, S.; Vajjala Kesava, S.; Gomez, E. D.; Robertson, M. L., “Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomers derived from Fatty Acids,” Macromolecules, 46, 7202-7212 [DOI], 2013
- Yang, G.; Rohde, B. J.; Robertson, M. L., “Hydrolytic Degradation and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Resins derived from Soybean Oil”, Green Materials, 1, 125-134 [DOI], 2013
- Nedoma, A. J.; Lai, P.; Jackson, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Wanakule, N. S.; Balsara, N. P, "Phase Diagrams of Blends of Polyisobutylene and Deuterated Polybutadiene as a Function of Chain Length", Macromolecules, 44 (8), 3077-3084 [DOI], 2011
- Robertson, M. L.; Paxton, J. M.; Hillmyer, M. A., "Tough Blends of Polylactide and Castor Oil", ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 3 (9), 3402-3410 [DOI], 2011
- Gramlich, W. M.; Robertson, M. L.; Hillmyer, M. A., “Reactive Compatibilization of Poly(L-lactide) and Conjugated Soybean Oil,” Macromolecules, 43, 2313-2321 [DOI], 2010
- Nedoma, A. J.; Lai, P.; Jackson, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Wanakule, N. S.; Balsara, N. P., "Phase Behavior of Off-Critical A/B/A-C Blends," Macromolecules, 43, 7852-7859 [DOI], 2010
- Nedoma, A. J.; Lai, P.; Jackson, A.; Robertson, M. L.; Wanakule, N. S.; Balsara, N. P., “Phase Behavior of Asymmetric Multicomponent A/B/A-C Blends with Unequal Homopolymer Molecular Weights,” Macromolecules, 43, 3549-3555 [DOI], 2010
- Robertson, M. L.; Chang, K.; Gramlich, W. M.; Hillmyer, M. A., “Toughening of Polylactide with Polymerized Soybean Oil,” Macromolecules, 43, 1807-1814 [DOI], 2010
- Robertson, M. L.; Hillmyer, M. A.; Mortamet, A. C.; Ryan, A. J., “Biorenewable Multiphase Polymers,” MRS Bulletin, 35, 194-200 [Link], 2010
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Chang, K.; Robertson, M. L.; Hillmyer, M. A., “Phase Inversion in Polylactide / Soybean Oil Blends Compatibilized by Poly(isoprene-b-lactide) Block Copolymers,” ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 1, 2390-2399 [DOI], 2009
- Gomez, E. D.; Ruegg, M. L.; Minor, A. M.; Kisielowski, C.; Downing, K. H.; Glaeser, R. M.; Balsara, N. P., “Interfacial Concentration Profiles of Rubbery Polyolefin Lamellae Determined by Quantitative Electron Microscopy,” Macromolecules, 41, 156-162 [DOI], 2008
- Nedoma, A. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Wanakule, N. S.; Balsara, N. P., “Measurements of the Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter Using a Series of Critical Binary Blends,” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 47, 3551-3553 [DOI], 2008
- Nedoma, A. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Wanakule, N. S.; Balsara, N. P., “Measurements of the Composition and Molecular Weight Dependence of the Flory-Huggins Interaction Parameter,” Macromolecules, 41, 5773-5779 [DOI], 2008
- Wanakule, N. S.; Nedoma, A. J.; Robertson, M. L.; Fang, Z.; Jackson, A.; Garetz, B. A.; Balsara, N. P., “Characterization of Micron-Sized Periodic Structures in Multicomponent Polymer Blends by Ultra-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Optical Microscopy,”Macromolecules, 41, 471-477 [DOI], 2008
- Ruegg, M. L.; Balsara, N. P., “Scattering from Polymer Systems,” Invited submission,Macromolecular Engineering, Matyjaszewski, K.; Gnanou, Y.; Leibler, L., editors, Wiley-VCH, 2007
- Ruegg, M. L.; Reynolds, B. J.; Lin, M. Y.; Lohse, D. J.; Balsara, N. P., “Minimizing the Concentration of Diblock Copolymer Needed to Organize Blends of Weakly Segregated Polymers by Tuning Attractive and Repulsive Interactions,” Macromolecules, 40, 1207-1217 [DOI], 2007
- Ruegg, M. L.; Reynolds, B. J.; Lin, M. Y.; Lohse, D. J.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Balsara, N. P., “Effect of Pressure on a Multicomponent A/B/A-C Polymer Blend with Attractive and Repulsive Interactions,” Macromolecules, 40, 355-365 [DOI], 2007
- Reynolds, B. J.; Ruegg, M. L.; Balsara, N. P.; Radke, C. J., , “Relationship between Macroscopic and Microscopic Models of Surfactant Adsorption Dynamics at Fluid Interfaces,” Langmuir, 22, 9201-9207 [DOI], 2006
- Reynolds, B. J.; Ruegg, M. L.; Mates, T. E.; Radke, C. J.; Balsara, N. P., “Diblock Copolymer Surfactant Transport across the Interface between Two Homopolymers,” Langmuir, 22, 9192-9200 [DOI], 2006
- Ruegg, M. L.; Patel, A. J.; Narayanan, S.; Sandy, A. R.; Mochrie, S. G. J.; Watanabe, H.; Balsara, N. P., “Condensed Exponential Correlation Functions in Multicomponent Polymer Blends Measured by X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy,” Macromolecules, 39, 8822-8831 [DOI], 2006
- Ruegg, M. L.; Reynolds, B. J.; Lin, M. Y.; Lohse, D. J.; Balsara, N. P., “Microphase and Macrophase Separation in Multicomponent A/B/A-C Polymer Blends with Attractive and Repulsive Interactions,” Macromolecules, 39, 1125-1134 [DOI], 2006
- Reynolds, B. J.; Ruegg, M. L.; Mates, T. E.; Radke; C. J.; Balsara; N. P., “Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Adsorption of a Diblock Copolymer to Interfaces between Two Homopolymers,” Macromolecules, 38, 3872-3882 [DOI], 2005
- Reynolds, B. J.; Ruegg, M. L.; Balsara, N. P.; Radke, C. J.; Shaffer, T. D.; Lin, M. Y.; Shull, K. R.; Lohse, D. J., “Thermodynamics of Polymer Blends Organized by Balanced Block Copolymer Surfactants Studied by Mean Field Theories and Scattering,” Macromolecules,37, 7401-7417 [DOI], 2004
- Ruegg, M. L.; Newstein, M. C.; Balsara, N. P.; Reynolds, B. J., “Small-Angle Neutron Scattering from Nonuniformly Labeled Block Copolymers,” Macromolecules, 37, 1960-1968 [DOI], 2004
- Lee, J. H.; Ruegg, M. L.; Balsara, N. P.; Zhu, Y. Q.; Gido, S. P.; Krishnamoorti, R.; Kim, M. H., “Phase Behavior of Highly Immiscible Polymer Blends Stabilized by a Balanced Block Copolymer Surfactant,” Macromolecules, 36, 6537-6548 [DOI], 2003