Megan Robertson

Faculty

Dr. Megan Robertson

Cullen College of Engineering Professor
Associate Chair for Faculty Development and Inclusive Excellence

Office Location S224B, Engineering Building 1

Phone 713-743-2748

Fax 713-743-4323

Email mlrobertson [at] uh.edu

Website http://robertsongroup.chee.uh.edu/

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2006)

B.S., Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis (2001)

Professional Experience

Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry, 2017-present

Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 2010-present

Assistant Professor, Chemistry, 2016-present

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Minnesota, 2008-2010

Senior Scientist, Rohm and Haas (now Dow Chemical), 2006-2008

Courses

CHEE 5377/6377 Introduction to Polymer Science

CHEE 3333 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II

CHEE 3300 Introduction to Materials Science I

Research Interests

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.

Awards & Honors

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

Professional Activities

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

More Publications

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