Nikki Rodriguez is a Ph.D. candidate entering her sixth year in the Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she is co-advised by Dr. Lisa Axe and Dr. Murat Guvendiren. Her work bridges materials science, polymer chemistry, and environmental sustainability. Specifically, her research focuses on optimizing the properties of biodegradable composites for use as agricultural mulch, aiming to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic films. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Spanish from Rutgers University and was a recipient of the 2024 Margaret Yardley Fellowship and the 2024 Women in Chemical Engineering Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the New Jersey Society of Women Environmental Professionals. ORCID: 0000-0002-9384-2383
