David Marr

David Marr holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and MS and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. After a 2-year postdoc with Raychem Corporation in Menlo Park, CA investigating the structure of polymer/carbon black composites using neutron scattering techniques, he began as an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. After appointments as Associate Professor, Full Professor, and Department Head, he currently serves as the Gaylord and Phyllis Weaver Distinguished Chair of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Prof. Marr’s research interests lie generally in the use of applied fields to manipulate the assembly of colloidal particles. Early in his career, he demonstrated the use of optical trapping techniques for the assembly and powering of microscale pumps and valves as well as microfluidic platforms for single-cell isolation and manipulation. Later, he performed a sabbatical at the Universität Stuttgart investigating the use of magnetic fields as an alternate means of powering these applications. Since that time, he has focused on the use of magnetic fields for the assembly and control of colloidal microbots with applications in stroke and cystic fibrosis. He has received the NSF Career Award, has been an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and a speaker at the National Academy of Sciences Frontiers of Science program.