The Schiffman Lab aims to elucidate and employ the materials properties of renewable biopolymers and bioactive products for the sustainable synthesis of novel nanostructures. Polymers derived from natural sources have inherent qualities that make them superior to synthetic polymers. They are antibacterial, biodegradable, biocompatible, chelate ions, and have coagulation capabilities. Natural products, like plant derivatives exhibit wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. By analyzing the chemistry, processability, and biological functionality of these agents we are able to engineer and characterize devices that address public health concerns in biomedical and environmental fields. Currently, applications of interest include antibiofilm coatings, nanofiber scaffolds for wound healing, as well as membranes that selectively remove contaminants. Our research is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing influences from chemical engineering, materials science engineering, environmental engineering, and microbiology.