Faculty Directory

Kofinas, Peter

Kofinas, Peter

ChBE Professor and Chair
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
2113D Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building

Academic Appointments at the University of Maryland

  • Professor Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 7/2017 – present
  • Affiliate Appointments: Bioengineering, Materials Science and Engineering
  • Professor Fischell Department of Bioengineering 7/2006 – 6/2017
  • Associate Professor Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 7/2002 - 6/2006
  • Associate Professor Materials Science and Engineering 7/2001 - 6/2002
  • Assistant Professor Materials Science and Engineering 8/1996 - 6/2001
Administrative Appointments at the University of Maryland
  • Chair Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 7/2017 - present
  • Associate Dean A James Clark School of Engineering 9/2012 – 9/2017
  • Associate Chair Fischell Department of Bioengineering 7/2006 - 8/2012
  • Director of Graduate Studies Fischell Department of Bioengineering 7/2006 - 8/2012
Other Employment
  • M.I.T., Cambridge, MA Post-Doc. Chemical Engineering 7/94 - 6/1996
Educational Background

Massachusetts Institute of Technology  (M.I.T.)     Cambridge, MA 

  • Ph.D.  Materials Science & Engineering  (Program in Polymer Science & Technology) 1994
  • M.S.  Chemical Engineering Practice 1989 
  • B.S.  Chemical Engineering 1989

Research Fellowships, Prizes and Awards

  • Senior Outstanding Research Award 2012, A. James Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland
  • Outstanding Invention of 2007, Office of Technology Commercialization, U. of Maryland
  • Outstanding Invention of 2001, Office of Technology Commercialization, U. of Maryland
  • CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 1999
Teaching Awards
  • Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Program Mentor 2014-2015, Office of Undergraduate Studies, U. of Maryland
  • Engaged Faculty Award 2011, A. James Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland
  • University of Maryland “Keystone Professor”: The Clark School Academy of Distinguished Professors, 2005 –2012
  • A. James Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland, Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award, 1999
Service Awards and Honors
  • Faculty Outstanding Service Award 2013, A. James Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland
Recent Synergistic Activities
  • Have mentored over 80 undergraduates in research
  • Have graduated 21 PhD students, 3 of my students have faculty positions
  • Symposium Organizer: E-MRS, Strasbourg France (5/2017), “Design and hierarchical assemblies of nanomaterials”
  • GEM Fellowship Representative U. of Maryland – STEM recruiting of Underrepresented Minority Students 2013-2017

 

Solution blow spun functional polymer fibera as surgical sealants; solid, non-flammable, solid polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries; functional magnetodielectric polymer nanocomposites for flexible antennas; photonics crystal biosensors for detection of pathogens, and point-of-care diagnostics.


  • Safe high performance solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries
  • Additively manufactured Low loss polymer nanoparticle composites for radio frequency devices
  • Synthetic functional polymer hydrogel for hemorrhage control
  • Point of care diagnostics for hyperammonemia and aminoacidopathies
  • Reagentless thin film nanostructured biosensor for pathogen detection
  • Photonic crystal biosensors

For more information, please visit fml.umd.edu

 

 

CHBE457 Design and Processing of Polymers for Biomedical Devices

“Hybrid 3D Printing of Synthetic and Cell-Laden Bioinks for Shape Retaining Soft Tissue Grafts”, S. Van Belleghem, L. Torres Jr, M. Santoro, B. Mahadik, A. Wolfand, P. Kofinas, and John P. Fisher, Advanced Functional Materials,1907145, 2019.    DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201907145
 
“Structurally colored protease responsive nanoparticle hydrogels with degradation-directed assembly”, L. Torres Jr,  J.L. Daristotle, O.B. Ayyub, B.M. Bellato Meinhardt, H. Garimella, A. Margaronis, S. Seifert, N.M. Bedford,T.J. Woehl, and P. Kofinas, Nanoscale, 11, 17904-17912, 2019.    DOI:10.1039/C9NR04624K
 
“Improving the Adhesion, Flexibility, and Hemostatic Efficacy of a Polymer Blend Surgical Sealant by Incorporating Silica Particles”
J. L. Daristotle, S. T. Zaki, L. W. Lau, L. Torres Jr, A. Zografos, P. Srinivasan, O. B. Ayyub, A. D. Sandler, and P. Kofinas  Acta Biomaterialia,  90, 205-216, 2019.
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.04.015
 
“Multistage Chemical Heating for Instrument-Free Biosensing” J.P. Goertz, K. M. Colvin,A.B. Lippe, J.L. Daristotle, P. Kofinas, I.M. White
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 10(39), 33043–33048, 2018  DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b11611
 
“Spray Processed Composites with High Conductivity and Elasticity”
M. Vural, A.M. Behrens, W. Hwang, J.J. Ayoub, D. Chasser, A.W. Cresce, R.M. Briber, and P. Kofinas ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 10, 13953-13962, 2018.
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b00068
 
“Zeolite-loaded alginate-chitosan hydrogel beads as a topical hemostat” P. Fathi, M.J. Sikorski, K. Christodoulides, K.R. Langan, Y. S. Choi, J.M. Titcomb, A.S. Ghodasara, O.A. Wonodi, H. Thaker, M. Vural, A.M. Behrens, and P. Kofinas. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B - Applied Biomaterials, 106(5), 1662-1671, 2018. 
DOI:10.1002/jbm.b.33969 PMID: 28842967
 
 “A magnetically recoverable photocatalyst prepared by supporting TiO2 nanoparticles on a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocluster core@fibrous silica shell nanocomposite”
Bokyung Seo, Chaedong Lee, Donggeon Yoo, Peter Kofinas, Yuanzhe Piao.
Royal Society of Chemistry Advances 7, 9587, 2017.   DOI: 10.1039/c6ra27907d
 
“Solution Blow Spun Polymer: A Novel Pre-Clinical Surgical Sealant for Bowel Anastomoses” N.G. Kern, A.M. Behrens, P. Srinivasan, C.T. Rossi, J.L. Daristotle, P. Kofinas, A.D. Sandler. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 52, 1308-1312, 2017.   DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2016.11.044 PMCID: PMC5459684
 
“A review of the fundamental principles and applications of solution blow spinning”
J.L. Daristotle, A.M. Behrens, A.D. Sandler, and P. Kofinas.   ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 8 (51), 34951–34963, 2016.
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12994  PubMed PMID: 27966857
 
“Protein Adsorption on Chemically Modified Block Copolymer Nanodomains: Influence of Charge and Flow” J.S. Silverstein, B.J. Casey, P. Kofinas, B.J. Dair.  Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 16(2), 1460-1470, 2016.  DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2016.10895
 
“Stretchable Magneto-dielectric Composites Based on Raspberry-Shaped Iron Oxide Nanostructures” M. Vural, O. Gerber, B.P. Pichon, S. Lemonier, E. Barraud, L.C. Kempel, S. Begin-Colin, and P. Kofinas, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 4, 2345, 2016.  DOI: 10.1039/c6tc00419a
 
“Rapid Fabrication of Poly(DL-lactide) Nanofiber Scaffolds with Tunable Degradation for Tissue Engineering Applications by Air-brushing” A.M. Behrens, J. Kim, N. Hotaling, J. Seppala, P. Kofinas, W. Tutak. Biomedical Materials, 11, 035001, 2016.  DOI: 10.1088/1748-6041/11/3/035001 PMCID: PMC4963247
 
“Core/Shell Iron/Oxide Nanoparticles for Improving the Magneto-Dielectric Properties of Polymer Composites” T-I Yang, C-Y Chuang, S-C Yang, L.C. Kempel, and P. Kofinas.
Advanced Engineering Materials, 18(1), 2016.  DOI: 10.1002/adem.201500234
 
“Biodegradable Polymer Blend Based Surgical Sealant with Body Temperature Mediated Adhesion” A.M. Behrens, N.G. Lee, B.J. Casey, P. Srinivasan, M.J. Sikorski, J.L. Daristotle, A. D. Sandler, and P. Kofinas.  Advanced Materials, 27, 8056–8061, 2015.  DOI: 10.1002/adma.201503691 PMCID: PMC4961426
 
“Enzyme Induced Degradation Stiffening in Hydrogels with Structural Color” 
O.B. Ayyub, and P Kofinas.  ACS Nano, 9 (8), 8004–8011, 2015.   DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b01514 PMID: 26196060
 
“Simple and Inexpensive Quantification of Ammonia in Whole Blood”
O.B. Ayyub, A.M. Behrens, B.T. Heligman, M.E. Natoli, J.J. Ayoub, G. Cunningham, M. Summar, and P. Kofinas. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 115, 95–100, 2015.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2015.04.004 PMID: 25936660 PMCID: PMC4462127
 
“Sprayable Elastic Conductors Based on Block Copolymer Silver Nanoparticle Composites” M. Vural, A. M. Behrens, O. B. Ayyub, J. J. Ayoub, and P. Kofinas.
ACS Nano, 9(1), 336-344, 2015. DOI: 10.1021/nn505306h PMCID: PMC4310637
 
“Synthesis and Characterization of Microphase Separated Primary Amine Functionalized Polystyrene-b-Poly(2-vinylpyridine) Polymer” O.B. Ayyub, M.B. Ibrahim, and P. Kofinas. Polymer, 55, 6227-6231, 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.10.005
 
“Hemostatic Strategies for Traumatic and Surgical Bleeding” A.M. Behrens, M.J. Sikorski, and P. Kofinas. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 102(11), 4182-4194, 2014.
DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35052 PMID: 24307256.
 
“In situ Deposition of PLGA Nanofibers via Solution Blow Spinning” A.M. Behrens, B.J. Casey, M.J. Sikorski, K. Wu, W. Tutak, A, Sandler, and P. Kofinas. 
ACS Macro Letters, 3(3), 249-254, 2014. DOI: 10.1021/mz500049x
 
“Nanostructured Flexible Magneto-dielectrics for Radio Frequency Applications” M.Vural, B. Crowgey, L. Kempel, and P. Kofinas. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2, 756-763, 2014.
DOI:10.1039/C3TC32113D
 
“Blood Aggregating Hydrogel Microparticles for Use as a Hemostatic Agent” A.M. Behrens, M.J. Sikorski, T. Li, Z. J. Wu, B.P. Griffith, and P. Kofinas. 
Acta Biomaterialia, 10(2) 701–708, 2014.  DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.10.029 PMID: 24185001
 
“The cell release kinetics and the swelling behavior of physically crosslinked xanthanchitosan hydrogels in simulated gastrointestinal conditions” S. Argin, P. Kofinas, Y. Martin Lo. Food Hydrocolloids, 40, 138-144, 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2014.02.018
 
“Enzymatic Activity Preservation and Protection through Entrapment within Degradable Hydrogels” A. Mariani, M. Natoli, and P. Kofinas. 
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 10(11), 2994-3002, 2013. DOI:10.1002/bit.24971 PMID: 23744741
 
“In vivo and In Vivo Evaluation of Polymer Hydrogels for Hemorrhage Control”
B.J. Casey, A.M. Behrens, Z.I. Tsinas, J.R. Hess, Z.J. Wu, B.P. Griffith, and P. Kofinas.
Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 24(15), 1781-1793, 2013. DOI:10.1080/09205063.2013.801707 PMID: 21058718
 
“Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Photonic Crystal for Selective Fructose Detection” O.B. Ayyub, M.B. Ibrahim, R.M. Briber, and P. Kofinas.
Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 46, 124-129, 2013.
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2013.02.025 PMID: 23531858
 
“Investigating  polymer thiolation in gene delivery” 
I. Bacalocostantis, V. Mane, M. Kang M., A. Goodley, S. Muro, W.E. Bentley, and P. Kofinas, 
Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition. 24(8), 912-926, 2013. DOI:10.1080/09205063.2012.727266 PMID: 23647248
 

Sochol Named “Rising Star” in Advanced Materials Technologies

UMD faculty member Ryan Sochol recognized in journal's March 10th issue.

Giving Students "Space" for Galactic Discovery, and a Launch into Research

Among the precious cargo launching to the ISS aboard SpaceX CRS-26 is an experiment designed by UMD students.

New Research Could Improve Post-Operative Patient Outcomes

$1.6M NIH grant supports research to investigate sprayable polymer blends for preventing site-specific surgical adhesions.

Ganesh Sriram Wins 2022 Poole & Kent Teaching Award for Senior Faculty

Sriram will be honored at the spring commencement ceremony.

Jesse Matthews is 2021 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year and NSF GRFP Recipient

Matthews, advised by Peter Kofinas, will start his Ph.D. program at Stanford in the fall.

Standing with our Asian-American Community

The Clark School community stands united with our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders colleagues.

UMD and FDA Researchers Collaborate to Bolster Battery Safety for Medical Devices

Team will advance regulatory science research and understanding of polymeric battery chemistry.

ARL to Fund $30M in Equipment Innovations for Service Members

UMD announces with the U.S. Army Research Lab agreements in additive manufacturing and battery research.

UMD Engineering Receives $22.8M from U.S. Army to Collaboratively Advance Additive Manufacturing Technology

The University of Maryland College Park's research partnership with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory will establish an ecosystem for revolutionary additive manufacturing technology and concepts to expedite national readiness and response.

Holding ESTEEM in High Regard

Peter Kofinas and Jesse Matthews team up to mentor high school students in a program hosted by the UMD Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering.  

2020 Undergraduate Honors and Awards

Sixty-eight undergraduate students from the A. James Clark School of Engineering were recognized with 2020 Annual Engineering Honors and Awards.

In Race With Virus, Researchers Speed Development of Medical Equipment

Bioengineers, Terrapin Works producing new respirator and ventilator designs.

Clark School Engineers Create Solutions for a Crisis

Engineering labs pivot to produce and distribute hand sanitizer and surgical masks.

Four BIOE Ph.D. Students Awarded NIH Fellowships

Students recognized for research in vaccine design, surgical sealants, pulmonary diseases, and multiple sclerosis. 

UMD Faculty Awarded ED Grant to Increase Doctoral Degrees in Areas of National Need

The nine-year award is part of ED's Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program, also known as GAANN.

Peter Kofinas Will Serve as Next Chair of ChBE

Effective July 1, Sheryl Ehrman will depart for San Jose State University.

Lab Students' 'Creativity is Key'

Clark School's Functional Macromolecular Lab allows students to mold new ideas

Clark School Alum Named to Forbes "30 Under 30: Healthcare" List

Adam Behrens (BIOE, Ph.D. '15; ChBE, B.S. '10) recognized for work in vaccine and diagnostic testing development.

Airbrushed Biodegradable Sealant Could Offer Low-Cost, Portable Alternative to Surgical Sutures

BIOE Professor and Associate Dean Peter Kofinas receives R01 for innovative surgical sealant and application technique research.

BioE Capstone 2016: New Projects Focus on Improved Healthcare for Underserved Communities, Pediatric Patients, and More

Affordable RT-PCR for clinical diagnostics, fear mitigation device for pediatric MRIs tie for first place.

Kofinas Awarded Patent for Flexible Batteries

Polymer solid electrolyte could make batteries safer, smaller, and less expensive

2015 Dean's Student Research Awards

Winners of the 2015 Dean's Student Research Awards have been announced.

Simple Stretchable Conducting Material is Robust and Inexpensive

Electronic fabrics and skin are potential applications

BioE Capstone 2014: New Projects Focus on Cardiological Health, Surgical Tools and More

Students' inventions range from diagnostic devices to accident prevention products.

White, Kofinas, and Chung Honored at Commencement

Bioengineering faculty and staff receive awards at December 22 ceremony.

SEEDS Fellowship Supports Sikorski's Work on Blood Clotting Gel

BioE sophomore developing potentially life-saving products with Kofinas Group.

Kofinas, Muro Honored for Research

Clark School Outstanding Research Awards recognize professors' influential and ground-breaking work.

Rubloff Co-Authors Major DoE Report on Emerging Energy Technologies

Publication focuses on opportunities in mesoscale science.

A Faster, Easier Way to Diagnose Metabolic Disorders in Infants

NIH supports Kofinas' efforts to develop inexpensive, point-of-care blood test.

Khalid Wins College Park Scholars Tri-Star Award

Bioengineering junior honored for academic excellence, community service.

Dominion Resources Supports Lab Upgrade

$30K gift supports purchase of new heat exchanger station for chemical engineering unit ops facility.

Clark School Wins Major Research Instrumentation Awards

NSF funding for research to improve spray technology, creation of x-ray center for nano research.

Faculty Members Take On New Responsibilities

Flatau, Martins, Kofinas to serve Clark School in new roles; Gupta to lead NSF initiative.

Janiak Named Kauffman Fellow

Alumnus, former Fischell Fellow in prestigious venture capital program.

SafeLiCell Takes 2nd at Green Business Plan Competition

BioE undergrad's presentation on novel battery tech wins $10K.

SafeLiCell Takes 2nd in $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge

Clark School-based company receives $15,000 to improve safety of lithium batteries.

Award Supports Development of Safer Batteries for Biomedical Devices

Sophomore Mian Khalid wins prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship for work with Kofinas Group.

Battery Team Heading for $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge Finals

Watch SafeLiCell pitch new venture based on safe, solid-state polymer electrolyte-based batteries.

Systems Researchers Partner with Trento, Italy

Joint efforts to target bioengineering, renewable energy, nanomaterials, microsystems, education.

Clark School Honors ENGAGED Faculty Members

Undergrads nominate teachers for their approachability, concern and support for students.

Engineers Re-Tool for Growing BioE Market

New flexible master's program offers working professionals entrance to high-demand discipline.

PolyVec Systems Dominates Business Plan Competition

Gene therapy carrier for breast cancer wins $45K including Citrin Impact Award.

Clark School Students Recognized

Three receive Achievement Rewards for College Scientists awards at U.S. Supreme Court.

Kofinas Team Advances in Global Competition

Trauma Solutions a finalist in corporate-sponsored $250K business plan contest.

And $75K in Prizes Goes to…

High-capacity battery, Third World micro-power grids, other business plan winners.

Behrens Wins Student Research Award

Junior recognized for work in blood-coagulating hydrogels.

Hendricks Energy Research Fellows Named

Aaron Fisher (ChBE), Parag Banerjee (MSE) receive first fellowship awards.

Renewal of Funding for Ghosh, Battery Research

Grad student wins second Wells Fellowship.

UM $50K Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

Six winners were selected from eight finalist teams.

UM Recognizes Robotic Surgery, Virus Filter

Clark School faculty and students earn two Invention of the Year awards.

Company to Utilize Kofinas's, Janiak's Technology

Link Plus BioTech, Inc. also names Kofinas CTO.

Ghosh Wins Wells Fellowship

Endowment supports energy research, Great Expectations campaign.

"Virus Sponge" Could Improve Flu Treatments

New discovery can filter a patient's blood in a process similar to dialysis.

No More Broken Antennas

Clark School engineers create flexible antenna material.

$50K Business Plan Competition Semifinalists Announced

The 16 semifinalist teams include university faculty, students, and young alumni.

Keystone Academy Fosters Great Fundamental Teaching

Six professors have been named to the Clark School's new Keystone program.

Clark School Accomplishments Spring 2002

A list of Clark school accomplishments for Spring 2002