Minkyu Kim
Minkyu Kim is an associate professor at the University of Arizona in materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering and the BIO5 Institute. He earned his PhD in mechanical engineering and materials science from Duke University in 2011 and was a postdoctoral researcher at MIT from 2012 to 2016. Dr. Kim has a diverse range of research experiences, including biopolymer nanomechanics, polymer physics and self-assembly, biomolecular engineering and soft materials. His research interests focus on the design, synthesis, and multiscale characterization of biopolymer-based functional materials for applications in human health, defense and environmental safety. Dr. Kim is the recipient of the NSF CAREER award in 2022, and his research projects have been supported by NASA, CDMRP, NSF, the US government, NIEHS, and USDA.
Degrees
- PhD mechanical engineering and materials science, Duke University, 2011
- MS biomedical engineering, Duke University, 2006
- BS mechanical engineering, Kyung Hee University, Suwon, Korea, 2006
Work Experience
- 2023—present: Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona
- 2023—present: Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona
- 2016—2023: Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona
- 2016—2023: Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona
- 2012—2016: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Interests
Research Interests
Artificial protein design and synthesis, macromolecular self-assembly, soft condensed matter, bioinspired and biomimetic materials, soft-hard interface design, antimicrobials, and dust control.
Teaching Interests
Synthetic and Biological Materials (FA 2016, FA 2018-23), Biomaterials and Tissue Interactions (SP 2018-24), Materials Processing Laboratory (SP 2018-24), Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering (FA 2024).
Scholarship
20 refereed publications, 10 patents and patent applications
Awards
- 2022: NSF CAREER award
- 2017, 2018: Awards for Excellence at the Student Interface, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arizona
- 2010: Student Research Achievement Award, 54th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society
- 2009: Medtronic Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Medtronic Foundation
- 2008: Sigma Xi
- 2004—2006: Graduate Study Abroad Fellowship, Korea Science and Engineering Foundation