Jiawei Yang is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WPI. He received a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Sciences from Harvard University and completed postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined WPI in 2024. 

We study, design, and assemble polymers across multiple length scales to develop interactive soft materials and systems, with a primary focus on health and sustainability. We explore molecular chemistry, polymer architectures, structures, and network topologies to design materials with integrated multi-functionality and desired material properties. We are particularly interested in investigating mechanics and physics across length scales to understand how nano- and micro-scale molecular and supramolecular processes link macroscopic material behaviors and map out the synthesis-property-performance relationships. The understanding will also guide material development and expand the application scope of existing materials, such as medical implants, adhesives, coatings, and sustainable polymers.