Dr. Po-Yen Chen
 

Dr. Po-Yen Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). He holds affiliated appointments with the Maryland Robotics Center (MRC) and the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM). Dr. Chen earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University (NTU) and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After completing his doctoral studies, he was awarded the Hibbitt Early Career Fellowship and conducted independent research as a fellow at Brown University for two years. Prior to joining UMD, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for two and a half years.

Dr. Chen’s research integrates machine learning (ML)-enabled predictive and generative modeling with robotics-automated experimentation and advanced simulation tools to accelerate the discovery and optimization of high-performance, sustainable materials. By harnessing ML-driven predictions, his work addresses longstanding challenges in multi-component formulation and multi-property optimization—overcoming the limitations of traditional trial-and-error and one-factor-at-a-time approaches.

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This robotics- and ML-integrated workflow significantly accelerates the innovation of functional materials with programmable properties. It tackles urgent global challenges such as plastic pollution, resource depletion, and the demand for sustainable, high-performance alternatives. The AI- and ML-discovered materials developed through his research have broad potential applications, including soft electronics, conductive aerogels, smart soft robotics, and next-generation sustainable technologies. Furthermore, his work leverages model interpretation techniques and simulation-based insights to uncover complex composition–structure–functionality relationships, enabling the rational design of materials with precisely tailored properties.