Fostering Global-minded Well-rounded Professionals and Innovators for a Sustainable Future

Welcome to our new research group website! 

The Davila research group aims to better integrate scientific (computational, experimental, manufacturing) methods to derive improved material structures that control resultant properties for applications in technology, medicine, and the environment. The outcomes are novel advanced engineered materials with tailored properties (a.k.a. "materials by design") that address several societal challenges such as sustainability, health, and equity. A special focus is on resilient materials (recycled, robust, fire deterrent) for sustainable housing/building and bio-inspired porous materials (posterior/anterior eye, age-related macular degeneration, eye diseases) for controlled eye drug delivery. PI Davila has significant experience in STEM education, leadership, training, virtual reality environments, digital learning, inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary team-focused projects, life-cycle analysis assessment, engineering design, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Hence, the multidisciplinary nature of our projects continues to develop steadily. We have implemented innovative methods and pedagogical practices to create mixed work environments that promote excellence by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In 2010, the Davila group established the first Computational Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) research team at UC Merced. Since then, we have significantly grown and expanded our projects using advanced methods (theoretical, experimental, additive manufacturing) and tools (eco properties/design, SEM/EDX analysis, DLP 3D bioprinting, microfluidics) to pursue interdisciplinary projects that address real-life challenges in society. Please visit this site regularly to see our progress, accomplishments, publications, news, and much more as we add additional content. 

If you have any questions or want to discuss opportunities or potential collaborations, write me at ldavila@ucmerced.edu or schedule an appointment with me directly.

Happy reading and looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Lilian P. Davila, Ph.D., Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UC Merced

E-mail: ldavila@ucmerced.edu | Office: SE2 Room 393 | Group website: https://sites.ucmerced.edu/ldavila