Principal Investigator
Victoria Grace Muir, Ph.D.
email: vmuir@udel.edu
office: Colburn Lab 211
phone: 302-831-1359
Prof. Victoria Muir (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, where she began her appointment in Fall 2024. She earned her B.ChE. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 2018 and completed her Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the lab of Prof. Jason Burdick. She then pursued postdoctoral research as a Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University with Prof. Sujit Datta. Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award (2023), the Solomon R. Pollack Award for Excellence in Graduate Bioengineering Research (2023), the Penn Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2020), the Poddar Award for Rising Star in Chemical Engineering (2019), and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2019).
Graduate Students
Lawrence Azzariti
Lawrence Azzariti (he/him) is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. He joined the Muir Lab in Fall 2024. Lawrence's research investigates how the structure of living granular hydrogel composites influences material properties and cellular function. He earned his B.S. from Princeton University in 2024. Outside the lab, he enjoys video gaming, cooking, and swimming.
Hannah Zucco
Hannah Zucco (she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. She joined the Muir Lab in Fall 2024. Hannah's research investigates how we can transform microbially-produced, nanofibrous, and biomineralized materials into 3D-printable biomaterial scaffolds. She earned her B.S. from University of Pittsburgh in 2024. Outside the lab, she enjoys piano, crafting, and going on adventures with her dog.
Zarin Tasnim Juthi
Zarin Tasnim Juthi (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. She joined the Muir Lab in Fall 2025. Zarin's research investigates how granular hydrogel structure governs material properties and microbial invasion. She earned her B.S. (2022) and M.S. (2024) in chemical engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Outside of the lab, Zarin enjoys cooking and exploring historical places.
Colby Constantine
Colby Constantine (he/him) is a Ph.D. student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. He joined the Muir and Fromen Labs as a co-advised student in Fall 2025. Colby's research investigates how physical structure, mechanical forces, and immune cells control whether therapeutic phages can reach and eliminate bacteria. He earned his B.S. from the University of Rhode Island in 2025. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking, baking, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Undergraduate Students
Ethan Bowen
Ethan Bowen (he/him) is a undergraduate student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. He joined the Muir Lab in Fall 2025. Ethan works with Hannah and Lawrence to build new bioprinting technologies in the lab. Outside the lab, he enjoys exercise, video games, and chess.
Vishmi Rajapaksha
Vishmi Rajapaksha (she/her) is an undergraduate student studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware. She joined the Muir Lab in Summer 2026. Vishmi works with Hannah to design bioprinting approaches for nanofibrous biomaterial inks. Outside the lab, she enjoys running, drawing, and everything video games.
Muir Lab Alumni
Masters Students
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Ruth Pereira (Fall 2024-Spring 2026)
Undergraduate Students
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Miles Meadows (Fall 2024-Spring 2026)
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Jackson Myers (Fall 2024-Spring 2026)
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Bala Saravanan (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
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Ansolei Taliaferro (Summer 2024, co-advised with Prof. Cathy Fromen as a part of UD CHARM REU)
Interested in joining The Muir Lab @ UDel CBE?
Graduate Students
The University of Delaware is a fantastic place to pursue graduate studies in chemical and biomolecular engineering! Within the UD Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, graduate students need to gain admission first before being eligible for placement in a specific research group. For more information, please visit the UDel CBE grad admissions webpage. Prospective graduate students who have already gained admission to the University of Delaware graduate program are encouraged to get in touch to discover more about the group!
Undergraduate Students
UD undergraduate students in any department interested in joining the group for research are invited to send an email with the subject "Undergraduate Research Application." Please attach an updated resume (1-2 pages) and include a concise cover letter (1-2 paragraphs) outlining your interest in the group's research and your desired time commitment.
Want to know more about preparing resumes and cover letters? Check out these resources!
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UD Career Center Resume and Cover Letter Webpage (includes resume examples for resumes for First Years as well!)
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UD Career Center Drop-In Hours (for feedback on your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, etc.)
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UD LinkedIn Learning - Did you know that all UD students and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning? Go to the UD LinkedIn Learning webpage to set up your account. Through LinkedIn Learning, you can find so many great instructional videos about professional development, skill building, applying to jobs, and more!
Postdoctoral Fellows
Please stay posted for details on postdoc openings.