Biological and Biomimetic Materials and Mechanics (BioMnM) Lab

mohammad.islam@utrgv.edu

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

MS in Computational Engineering, Mississippi State University

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

 CV  | Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Mohammad Refatul Islam is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Dr. Islam is also affiliated with the Material Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering programs at UTRGV. His research interests broadly focuse on the fascinating interplay between structure and mechanics in biological and biomimetic materials. The overarching vision is to develop next-generation bio-manufactured materials for multifunctional applications and tissue-mimetic biomaterials for biomedical applications.

PhD student (Materials Science and Engineering)

Fall 2026-present

sarthokchandra.pandit01@utrgv.edu

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology

MS in Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah

Sarthok is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. His current research focuses on the design of random network-based materials. 

PhD student (Materials Science and Engineering)

Fall 2024-present

mdanwarsadat.anik01@utrgv.edu

BS in Nuclear Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technology

Anik is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. His current research focuses on the fabrication and characterization of fungal composite materials. 

Denisse Galvan

MS Student (Biomedical Engineering)

Fall 2025- present

denisse.galvan01@utrgv.edu

BS in Computer Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Denisse is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. Her current research focuses on the design of mycelium biosensors. 

MS student (Mechanical Engineering)

Summer 2026-present

gerardo.zapata03@utrgv.edu

Gerardo is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. His current research focuses on the interfacial bonding of mycelium biofilms with synthetic materials.

BS student (Mechanical Engineering)

Spring 2026-present

cairo.molina01@utrgv.edu

Cairo is working on the fabrication of fungal materials.