2026
1/2026: Dr. Lao serves as a Guest Editor for Gels | Special Issue : Rational Design and Characterization of Hydrogels. Welcome to submit your work before deadline of 31 October 2026!
2025
12/2025: Dr. Lao received 2026 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow award to investigate biomass filter materials. Congratulations!
10/2025: Dr. Lao presented a keynote talk, “Responsive Textile and Membrane for Moisture and Temperature Regulation” in The Fiber Society 2025 Fall Meeting and Technical Conference at University of Delaware (Newark, DE).
8/2025: Dr. Lao received a research grant from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to study the impact of corrosion on equipment in data centers located in coastal regions. Congratulations!
8/2025: Welcome our first PhD student – Baojie Dou.
7/2025: Dr. Lao volunteered in annual STEM Trekkers summer program organized by Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY) and Syracuse University, and host an activity session for middle school students to understand polymers and recyclable plastics.
7/2025: Welcome our REU undergraduate student – Jacob Matsuda. Thanks to MAE department for the sponsorship via NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU).
6/2025: Dr. Lao presented a talk (via Zoom), “Advanced Materials for The Built Environment” in 1st International Symposium on Smart Materials for Energy-efficient Built Environment Control (SMBEC2025) held in Paris, France, June 10-11, 2025.
4/2025: Dr. Lao presented a talk, “Thermal and Light Dual Responsive Membrane for Passive Temperature Regulation” in 2025 MRS Spring Conference (Seattle, WA).
3/2025: Dr. Lao is pleased to work with TAF Carbon LLC on development of carbon foams. Thanks for their sponsorship.
2/2025: Welcome our master students – Hao Li, Noah Goldstein, Michael Saksa and graduate intern – Md. Ibrahim Khalilullah.
1/2025: Dr. Lao presented an invited talk, “Smart Materials for The Built Environment” in the Department of Fiber Science at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY).
1/2025: Dr. Lao presented her work at Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Graduate Seminar.
2024
11/2024: Dr. Lao presented her work in The BioInspired Institute (BI).
10/2024: Dr. Lao presented her work at Research Lightning Talks in College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS).
8/2024: Dr. Lao is excited to join the faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering & Computer Science, Syracuse University and Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE)! The Lao Research Group officially starts!