Gaurav Arya

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

My research laboratory uses physics-based computational tools to provide fundamental, molecular-level understanding of a diverse range of biological and soft-material systems, with the aim of discovering new phenomena and developing new technologies. The methods we use or develop are largely based on statistical mechanics, molecular modeling and simulations, stochastic dynamics, coarse-graining, bioinformatics, machine learning, and polymer/colloidal physics. Our current research interests fall within four main themes: genome organization and regulation; polymer-nanoparticle composites; viral-DNA-packaging; and DNA nanotechnology. Please visit our website for more details about each of these research projects.

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Professor of Chemistry

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 144 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
  • Office Phone: +1 919 660 5435
  • Email Address: gaurav.arya@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

  • B.Tech. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India), 1998
  • Ph.D. University of Notre Dame, 2003
  • Princeton University, 2005
  • New York University, 2007

Research Interests

Molecular modeling, molecular simulations, statistical mechanics, coarse-graining, machine learning, polymer and colloidal physics, polymer-nanoparticle composites, chromatin biophysics, DNA nanotechnology, viral DNA packaging, single-molecule force spectroscopy, nanoscale transport

Courses Taught

  • MSEG 591: Independent Study
  • ME 582: Applications in Data and Materials Science
  • ME 560S: Materials Science and Engineering Seminar
  • ME 555: Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 490: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 419: Molecular Modeling of Soft Matter
  • EGR 201L: Mechanics of Solids
  • COMPSCI 583: Applications in Data and Materials Science
  • BME 792: Continuation of Graduate Independent Study
  • BME 791: Graduate Independent Study
  • BME 494: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
  • BME 493: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)

In the News