Research meets application
Customer discovery through NSF I-Corps and the Lean Startup Accelerator informs how the technology could fit construction workflows, including 3D concrete printing and repair.
Explore novaMATsThe scientist
Across disciplines.
Connected by curiosity.
I’m Mohammad, a scientist working where chemistry, physics, and mechanics meet.
I’m an Associate Research Scientist at NIST, working on next-generation building materials.
My work connects structural engineering with materials science, combining fundamental questions with practical challenges in the built environment. I aim to build a research and teaching program where students develop original ideas, investigate them rigorously, and grow into independent scientists and engineers.
Career & education
A path through
scales and disciplines.
From structural engineering to responsive materials and measurement science.
Appointments & experience
Oct 2026 – Present
Associate Research Scientist
NIST / Johns Hopkins University
Gaithersburg, MD
Dec 2025 – Present
Co-Founder & CEO
novaMATs LLC
Rockville, MD
Oct 2024 – Sep 2026
Associate Researcher
NIST / Johns Hopkins University
Gaithersburg, MD
Jan – Jul 2024
Research Associate
Turner-Fairbank Research Center
McLean, VA
Jan 2022 – Dec 2023
Laboratory Liaison
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Jan 2021 – Sep 2024
Research Assistant
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Sep 2019 – Dec 2020
Research Assistant
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
Mar 2017 – Sep 2019
Graduate Research Assistant
Tarbiat Modares University
Tehran, Iran
Sep 2015 – Feb 2017
Graduate Research Assistant
Sharif University of Technology
Tehran, Iran
Feb 2011 – Feb 2013
Project Engineer
Armeno Co.
Tehran, Iran
From discovery to use
Beyond the
proof of concept.
As co-founder and CEO of novaMATs, I work on manufacturing scale-up and the translation of multifunctional fibers into practical construction materials.
From concept to invention
Co-inventor with Y. A. Farnam on Damage-Responsive Self-Healing Concrete.