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 2024-present

mdanwarsadat.anik01@utrgv.edu

BS in Nuclear Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technology

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

MS student (Mechanical Engineering)

Spring 2025-present

javier.ramirez05@utrgv.edu

BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Javier Ramirez is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. His current research focuses on the nonlinear mechanics of composite nanofiber mats. 

Denisse Galvan

MS Student (Biomedical Engineering)

Fall 2025- present

denisse.galvan01@utrgv.edu

BS in Computer Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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

Valeria Ayala

MS Student (Biomedical Engineering)

Fall 2025- present

valeria.ayala03@utrgv.edu

BS in Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Valeria Ayala is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. Her current research focuses on the design of electrospun fiber-reinforced hydrogels. 

Juan Munoz

MS Student (Biomedical Engineering)

Fall 2025- present

juan.j.munoz01@utrgv.edu

BS in Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Juan Munoz is a graduate research assistant in the BioMnM lab. His current research focuses on the fabrication of adhesive and injectable hydrogel biomaterials. 

BS student (Mechanical Engineering)

Fall 2024-present

gerardo.zapata03@utrgv.edu

Gerardo is working on the fabrication of fungal membrane materials. 

MS student (Mechanical Engineering)

Fall 2023-Summer 2025

ehsanul.azim01@utrgv.edu

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

Ehsanul graduated with a MSME degree from the BioMnM lab. His research focused on lattice network-based composites. He is currently a PhD student at Penn State University.

MS student (Biomedical Engineering)

Spring 2024-Spring 2025

ismael.lamas01@utrgv.edu

BS in Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Ismael graduated with a MSBME degree. He worked on the composite hydrogel biomaterials. He is currently pursueing Physician Assistant (PA) program at UTRGV.