Our research lab specializes in the design, manufacturing, testing, and application of soft materials. We have extensive experience in designing soft, granular hydrogel particles as support baths for the 3D-printing of anthropomorphic phantom models of soft tissues from polymer systems, silicone elastomers structures, bioscaffolds from biopolymers, and organoids from living cells. In addition, we have expertise in characterizing these materials through shear rheology, micro-indentation, SAXS, and microscopy. Recently, we have started to explore the application of these microgel packings as a granular transparent soil medium to enable spatial temporal studies of plant root systems and the plant-microbe interactions that occur within the soil.