ISMSM Stories is a chance to put the spotlight on the people behind the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM). The researchers sit down for interviews and can tell their story, including their academic path, current research, and career goals. People from different stages in their academic journey, especially postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, get a chance to discuss what they love about research and soft matter. Readers get to see what research at the ISMSM entails and can learn from people who’ve experienced it!
2025 ISM–NIST Fellows: Narayan Das and Ruth Crothers
March 20th, 2026
The Institute for Soft Matter and Metrology (ISM) is pleased to welcome the 2025 ISM–NIST Fellows, Narayan Das and Ruth Crothers, whose research spans polymer mechanics, colloidal materials, and advanced measurement techniques. …
ISM Professor Dan Blair Contributes to $9M Multidisciplinary Naval Research Initiative
March 18th, 2026
Professor Dan Blair, a member of Georgetown’s Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISM), is part of a newly funded $9 million Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) led by Virginia Tech and supported by the Office of Naval Research. …
Recent Soft Matter Seminars Explore Lung Mechanics and Cellular Organization
March 5th, 2026
ISM recently hosted two Soft Matter Seminars that showcased the breadth of soft matter research, from the mechanics of lung interfaces to the physical principles underlying gene regulation. …
Welcoming Dr. Priyanka Joshi to the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology
February 11th, 2026
ISM is pleased to welcome Dr. Priyanka Joshi as a new Institute member. Dr. Joshi is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology at Georgetown University Medical Center, where she directs the Laboratory of Biomolecular Homeostasis and Resilience.…
Uric Acid Microspheres: Unexpected Architecture in Reptile Waste Reveals New Soft Matter Insights
December 10th, 2025
A newly published study led by ISM member Prof. Jennifer Swift and collaborators, “Uric Acid Monohydrate Nanocrystals: An Adaptable Platform for Nitrogen and Salt Management in Reptiles,” explores the surprising nanostructure of uric acid waste produced by ball pythons.…
Inside ISM’s Shared Soft Matter Facility at Georgetown University
October 8th, 2025
The Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM) at Georgetown University is home to two state-of-the-art shared facilities designed to advance discovery in soft matter research. By opening these labs to academic collaborators, industry partners, and Georgetown scientists, ISMSM provides the tools, expertise, and collaborative environment needed to tackle challenges in materials science, physics, chemistry, and beyond.…
Ascorbic Acid Improves the Mechanical Properties of Collagen-Based Matrix
October 3rd, 2025
A new study led by Micaila Curtis in collaboration with Dr. Xinran Zhang and the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM) amongst others, titled “Ascorbic Acid Improves the Mechanical Properties of Collagen-Based Matrix” and published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, reveals how Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances the structure and mechanical integrity of collagen matrices—even in the absence of cells.…
ISM Day 2025 Brings Together Researchers Across Disciplines
September 26th, 2025
The Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISM) hosted ISM Day 2025 last week on Georgetown University’s Main Campus, bringing together scientists from across disciplines to share their work and spark new collaborations.…
