We specialize in engineering polymers and soft materials with the goal of developing methods for disease treatment. Specifically, through organic synthesis, we design and produce hydrogels—polymer networks that swell when in contact with water. These hydrogels exhibit properties akin to cells and extracellular matrices, making them valuable in biomedical engineering. Our focus extends to understanding—in part via the numerical simulation— and controlling the physical, mechanical, and rheological characteristics of hydrogels and other soft materials for disease treatment applications. Additionally, we investigate how our materials interact with biological cells and tissues, a critical aspect for successful integration of our materials within the body.