About the Lab
The Haag Lab develops multifunctional polymeric materials that bridge chemistry, biology, and medicine. Central to the group’s work is dendritic and linear polyglycerol chemistry, enabling the precise synthesis of soft materials with tailored surface charge, biocompatibility, and dynamic cross-linking. These materials are applied to create blood-compatible and antibacterial coatings, hydrogel scaffolds for tumor models, and antiviral or anti-inflammatory agents. The group also designs polymeric adsorbents for removing persistent environmental pollutants such as PFAS, linking sustainable chemistry to health protection. Experimental approaches combine modular click-chemistry synthesis with advanced characterization and biological testing in cell and tissue models. Students joining the Haag Lab typically have a background or strong interest in polymer or organic synthesis, biomaterials, or bioengineering, and a desire to translate molecular design into tangible biomedical and environmental innovations. The interdisciplinary environment at the interface of chemistry and life sciences offers opportunities ranging from molecular synthesis to in-vitro evaluation of functional materials.