Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Boran Ma & Professor Zhe Qiang, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Abstract
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Dr Boran “Bo” Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5172-1196) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to joining SPSE in 2023, Bo was a postdoctoral associate at Duke University. She received her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University in 2019 and her BEng in Materials Science and Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2014. The Ma Research Lab focuses on multiscale modeling and machine learning-enabled investigation of polymeric materials and systems to elucidate the processing–structure–property relationships. Her team aims to design better materials ranging from sorbents for PFAS water remediation to stimuli-responsive polymer networks and copolymers.
Bo is passionate about combing two creative activities – comedy and science. She believes that creative comedic writing can facilitate efficient science communication, bridging the gap between the general public and the scientific research community. Notably, Bo was selected as an inaugural stand-up comedy fellow for the Stand-up Incubator project at UNC – Chapel Hill in 2022. This honor allowed her to develop a workshop series exploring integrating comedy writing into science communication. Because of her expertise in materials research and science communication, Bo has been featured on Polymer Science Podcast and Environmental Professional Radio.
Read Dr Boran Ma & Professor Zhe Qiang's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Critical role of pore size on perfluorooctanoic acid adsorption behaviors in carbonaceous sorbents’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH01771D ) and read more about them in the interview below:
Materials Horizons (MH): Your recent Materials Horizons Communication investigates how pore size in carbonaceous sorbents impacts the morphology of adsorbed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) aggregates and their sorption behavior, using microporous and mesoporous carbons as models. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?
Boran Ma (BM): With a background in materials science and engineering, I value the perspective of the materials paradigm, which emphasizes the understanding of processing–structure–property–performance relationships. Throughout my academic training, my research focus has evolved from metal matrix composites to soft matter, and from experimental to computational approaches. Nevertheless, the materials paradigm has remained a consistent guiding principle in the rational design of a wide range of materials of interest for me. My past experience in molecular modeling of ion-containing polymers, probing the self-assembly behavior and transport properties within those systems has taken me to this new, exciting research direction in collaboration with Dr Zhe Qiang. My research group utilizes our expertise in molecular modeling to elucidate the aggregation and adsorption behavior of PFOA on the surface of carbon-based sorbents with porous microstructures. Building upon this work, my team continues to leverage computational approaches to achieve molecular level insights into the adsorption behavior and dynamics of PFAS. Our long-term goal is to offer a design guide for more efficient sorbents for PFAS water remediation. Aside from our effort on PFAS water remediation, my team is also taking advantage of machine learning methods to enable the high throughput analysis and design of polymeric materials.
Zhe Qiang (ZQ): One of my first research articles as a faculty member focused on the upcycling of mask waste into carbon fiber materials for environmental remediation. This work was largely motivated and inspired by the massive amount of mask waste generated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, we have found that the process of transforming polyolefin-based materials into carbon through crosslinking and pyrolysis is robust and broadly applicable to a wide range of waste feedstocks with diverse chemical compositions and structural features. This has opened up several exciting new research opportunities, including enabling 3D printing of carbon and synthesizing mesoporous carbons from commodity thermoplastic elastomers. Within these research domains, we are particularly interested in unlocking the potential of carbonaceous materials upcycled from low-value commodity plastics and their wastes.
With the urgent need for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation, we hypothesized that the pore size of porous sorbents could play a key role in dictating sorption behaviors and mechanisms of PFAS molecules. We believe that obtaining these insights can inform the rational design of sorbents not only for PFAS but also for other emerging contaminants in aqueous environments. A critical aspect of this work involves leveraging the unique capabilities of neutron scattering, particularly contrast matching, to selectively highlight components and elucidate nanoscale structures of PFAS under pore confinement. On this end, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr Lilin He, who is a leading expert in neutron scattering at Oak Ridge National Lab. Our collective research not only underscores the importance of pore size in PFAS remediation but also demonstrates the power of neutron scattering as a tool for advancing environmental and materials science. Of course, the computational contributions from Dr Boran Ma's group have also been important in strengthening our understanding and validating experimental observations.
MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
BM: I am most excited about the rich potential of computational methods in the field of designing efficient sorbent materials for PFAS water remediation. The insights gained from modeling and simulations can facilitate the understanding of the interactions between PFAS and sorbents, informing rational design of sorbents with various microstructural features. Moreover, computational exploration significantly reduces the time, cost, and material consumption typically required for purely experimental studies, thereby accelerating the development of effective PFAS water remediation strategies.
ZQ: Right now, what excites me most about my work is the potential to solve real-world problems that have both commercial relevance and broader societal impact. I am particularly inspired by the opportunity to develop solutions that not only address urgent challenges, including sustainability and climate resilience, but also have the potential to shape public awareness and inspire next generations. It is indeed very motivating to work on projects that could lead to viable, scalable technologies while also helping to identify more sustainable pathways for both human well-being and the planet.
MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?
BM: Some of the most important questions include: how can we achieve better understanding of the structure–property relationship of PFAS sorbent materials? What are the most influential structural features of sorbents that determine their sorption efficiency? And how can those structural features be leveraged to achieve better design of sorbents? Furthermore, how can improved sorbents be integrated into the removal-to-destruction treatment train for PFAS remediation?
ZQ: In the field of PFAS remediation and plastics waste management, I believe one of the most important questions is: How do we successfully translate essential technologies from the lab to real-world markets and applications? Environmental remediation typically presents a significant challenge when it comes to scaling, and addressing it effectively requires not only scientific innovation but also a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, economic viability, durability under real-world conditions, and long-term environmental impact.
Another critical question is: How can we develop efficient solutions that address multiple sustainability challenges simultaneously in order to fully unlock their potential? In the case of PFAS sorbent design, this may also mean understanding not only how to create cost-effective materials, but also how specific material properties, such as pore size and surface chemistry, influence the sorption behavior of persistent contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Ultimately, advancing this field requires the integration of materials science, environmental engineering, and systems design to develop scalable, circular, and high-impact solutions.
MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?
BM: My team leverages computational approaches and machine learning methods in soft materials research, which has opened up many exciting opportunities for collaboration with experimental researchers. Throughout these interdisciplinary efforts, what I find most challenging yet rewarding has been the iterative feedback loop between experiments and computations. The effective closed-loop design not only advances mechanistic understanding but also facilitates the rational design of materials.
ZQ: One of the most challenging aspects of my research is that the solutions often require an inherently interdisciplinary approach. Addressing complex problems means drawing inspirations and integrating expertise from multiple fields, which makes collaboration become a necessity. Another challenge in my research field lies in translating research findings into implementation. The pathway from idea to impact often involves navigating technical, economical, and even policy-related barriers, which could add another layer of complexity beyond the academic research work itself.
MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?
BM: I will present at two conferences later this year in the US – the American Chemical Society Fall 2025 meeting in Washington DC and the 2025 Materials Research Society Fall meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
ZQ: I will be attending the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) General Assembly and World Chemistry Congress this summer, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition, I plan to participate in the AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) 2025 Fall Annual Meeting in Boston.
MH: How do you spend your spare time?
BM: I enjoy running, hiking, paddle boarding, and appreciating and exploring nature at the same time. I also like participating in vacation races, so far, I have run half marathons at Great Smoky Mountains and Zion National Park in the US.
ZQ: In my spare time, I enjoy reading research papers outside of my immediate field to gain new perspectives and spark interdisciplinary ideas. I also love watching sports to enjoy the excitement of competition. When possible, I travel to different parts of the world, as I find exploring new cultures and environments both refreshing and inspiring.
MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?
BM: While it is essential to dig deep into a research topic, don’t forget to step back occasionally to keep sight of the bigger picture.
ZQ: One piece of advice I would share is to have confidence in your research and trust your scientific instincts, even when the path is uncertain. Be fearless in pursuing big, important questions, even if they lead you into emerging or unconventional areas. Some of the most impactful discoveries can come from stepping outside traditional boundaries. At the same time, strive to be an inspiring and supportive presence for your mentees; their growth is part of your impact. Moreover, it is important to build genuine connections with people across disciplines and sectors. This will not only support your professional growth, but also help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of research problems and needs.
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