Dr. Tagbo Niepa

Biography

Tagbo H.R. Niepa is an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on developing methods for targeting drug-resistant pathogens through the use of alternative antibiotics that incorporate physical and chemical factors, including electrical current and nanomaterials, to create surfaces that eradicate microbes. His work particularly highlights interfacial biofilms, especially fluid interface biofilms, and their novel behaviors, which are crucial for understanding interactions in various environments. Niepa is also investigating ways to replicate the human microbiome by encapsulating microbes, which could lead to systems designed to store and utilize beneficial bacteria for patients in need. He holds a B.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Syracuse University and has undertaken a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Academic Diversity at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Niepa has received several notable awards, including the NIH Director's New Innovator Award and the NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award.

Research Interests

Awards