• Abraham Harris Chaired Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
• Director, Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Center (NUANCE)
• Director, Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource

PhD (1990), Lehigh University

The Dravid group has two major research themes relevant to CRN activities: (1) seeing and sensing the invisible, and (2) hard “metrology” in soft matter. In the first theme, we are developing microscopy/characterization instrumentation, techniques, and applications for imaging bio- and molecular structures, their assembly, and dynamics. Here, “seeing” spans multimodal and varied length scales, from atoms via electron microscopy to animals using magnetic resonance imaging. Similarly, we are developing diagnostics through nanotechnology sensing platforms and advanced imaging techniques.

In the metrology theme, the Dravid group is interested in developing innovative methods, approaches, and tools for quantitative measurement of soft and biological structures. We are particularly interested in exploring these methods across elusive length scales required to bridge molecular and atomic-level understanding to larger, interactive compartments of individual cells.