Diego Gomez-Maldonado, an expert in biopolymer research, has been named an assistant professor within Texas Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science, according to officials at the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. He officially stepped into his new role on Jan. 1.
Gomez-Maldonado will be based in the department’s Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute (FBRI), where he will focus on biopolymers for biomedical applications. In the past his research has centered on interfacial interactions of cellulose nanomaterials and molecules, nanoparticles, cells, or polymers of interest to improve water remediation, controlled release, tissue engineering, and biosensing.
“I am excited to develop new advance materials that can help improve health and wellbeing for the TTU community and beyond,” Gomez-Maldonado said.
“Joining Texas Tech University and the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute is an incredible opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in biopolymers and advanced materials. TTU's collaborative environment, world-class facilities, and vibrant community provide the perfect space to innovate, connect, and drive impactful solutions for a sustainable future," he said.
His research program focuses on the study and use of sustainable biopolymers and nanotechnology for the discovery and development of health related bioproducts. These bioproducts are developed through green chemistry and emerging sustainable technologies like 3D printing and self-assembly. The aim is to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other One Health needs through the revalorization of biomass and its different fractions.
Prior to joining Texas Tec faculty, Gomez-Maldonado served as a postdoctoral research associate in chemical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, and a postdoctoral research fellow with Auburn University’s Sustainable Bio-Based Materials Laboratory.
He also worked as an instructor with Auburn University’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Science and at the Department of Biology, graduate research assistant with Auburn University’s Forest Products Development Center, visiting scholar with Aalto University’s Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems in Finland, and a visiting scholar with Universidad de Guadalajara’s Laboratory of Immunology in Mexico.
Gomez-Maldonado received his bachelor’s degree in biological engineering and master’s degree in natural science and engineering both from the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa in Mexico City, Mexico. His doctorate in forestry is from Auburn University’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Science. Honors include the Young Professional Award from the Technical Association of Pulp & Paper Industries (2024); a Postdoctoral Award in Chemical Engineering from the American Institute of Chemists (2024); an American Chemical Society Future Leaders Award (2023); and Auburn University Graduate School’s Outstanding Doctoral Student (2020).
Texas Tech’s FBRI is staffed and equipped to conduct both fundamental and applied research, ranging from small-scale testing to large-scale manufacturing. A fundamental objective is to foster greater use of natural fibers. Activities revolve around researching, testing, and evaluating natural and man-made fibers, production and evaluation of yarns and fabrics, alternative textile processing systems, dyeing and finishing, special yarn and fabric treatments, development of bioproducts from cotton cellulose, and cotton cell wall biology/biochemistry.
Located some six miles east of the main campus, the FBRI occupies 110,000 square-feet of space allowing researchers to conduct testing and evaluation from the raw fiber stage through the finished textile product. Facilities include a multimedia classroom, conference room, biopolymer research laboratory, phenomics laboratory, short staple spinning laboratory, and ginning laboratory.
CONTACT: Glen Ritchie, Department Chair, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-4325 or glen.ritchie@ttu.edu
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