ABOUT
Scott Danielsen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018 and his B.S.E. in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 2014. He then spent five years as a postdoctoral associate at Duke University and as a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine from 2019-2023.
Prof. Danielsen’s group uses a combination of theoretical, computational, and experimental methods to reveal structure–property–processing relationships of soft materials. Their current primary research interests are the structure and dynamics of nonideal structured fluids, particularly polymer gels and biological fluids, with a focus on designing new materials and processing conditions for functional materials.
Teaching Interests
Professor Danielsen’s teaching centers on core soft matter, biomaterials, and polymer science courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His instruction highlights the fundamental physical principles governing macromolecular and soft material behavior, with emphasis on how structure, dynamics, and processing influence material performance in biological and engineered systems. Professor Danielsen engages students through an integration of theoretical frameworks and hands‑on problem solving, fostering a comprehensive understanding of soft and polymeric materials and their diverse applications.
PUBLICATIONS & PATENTS
- Hill, D. B.; Tang, Q.; Fazelpour, F.; Raihan, M.; King, S.; Kissner, W. J.; Esther, C.; Button, B.; Markovetz, M. R.; Danielsen, S. P. O.; Rubinstein, M. The Mucus–Air Interface in Health and Disease. J. Cyst. Fibros. 2024. S118-S119.
- Danielsen, S. P. O. Chemical Compatibilization, Macro-, and Microphase Separation of Heteroassociative Polymers. Macromolecules. 2023, 56, 6527–6542. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00864
- Danielsen, S. P. O.; Semenov, A. N.; Rubinstein, M. Phase Separation and Gelation in Solutions of Heteroassociative Polymers. Macromolecules. 2023, 56, 5661–5677. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00854
- Danielsen, S. P. O.; Bridges, C. R.; Segalman, R. A. Chain Stiffness of Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers in Solution. Macromolecules. 2022, 55, 437–449. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02229
- Danielsen, S. P. O.; Beech, H. K.; Wang, S.; El Zaatari, B. M.; Wang, X.; Sapir, L.; Ouchi, T.; Wang, Z.; Johnson, P. N.; Hu, Y.; Lundberg, D. J.; Stoychev, G.; Craig, S. L.; Johnson, J. A.; Kalow, J. A.; Olsen, B. D.; Rubinstein, M. Molecular Characterization of Polymer Networks. Chem. Rev. 2021, 121, 5042–5092. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01304.
EDUCATION & AWARDS
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara 2018
B.S.E. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2014
- Future Faculty Scholar, Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, American Chemical Society (2021)
- Schlinger Fellowship for Excellence in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara (2018)
- University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering & Applied Science Exceptional Service Award (2014)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Professor Danielsen’s research explores the structure–property relationships that govern the behavior of soft and polymeric materials. His work integrates theoretical modeling, advanced experimental characterization, and computational analysis to reveal how molecular architecture, dynamics, and processing shape macroscopic performance. He is actively engaged in the development of sustainable polymer materials, the biophysical understanding of biological fluids in both health and disease, and the characterization of functional soft materials relevant to energy technologies. Through this combined approach, Professor Danielsen aims to inform the design of next‑generation materials with tailored functionality and enhanced impact.