PSE Leadership
Luciana Arronche, Director
Luciana Arronche is the Director of Lehigh's Polymer Science and Engineering Program. She joined Lehigh in Summer 2024 and is a Teaching Assistant Professor with university's Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics. Professor Arronche also holds a position of Affiliated Faculty with the university's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Arronche earned her M.S. in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California, Davis.
Her areas of research include materials science, polymers, polymer processing, polymer characterization, and fiber-reinforced epoxy composites.
Arronche can be reached by email at lua224@lehigh.edu.
Adjunct Faculty
Paul Brigandi
Dr. Paul Brigandi is the Application Technology Leader for Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics Wire & Cable business in North America based in Collegeville, PA. Paul has experience across the cable industry in power transmission and distribution as well as telecommunication markets focused on research and development of new material solutions. His technical expertise includes formulation and processing of polyolefins, elastomers, and polymer composites. Paul is active in several industry organizations including serving on the IWCS symposium committee, Insulated Conductors Committee, Communications Cable and Connectivity Association, and Fiber Broadband Association technical committees. Paul earned a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from Lehigh University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. He is also an active Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University in the Material Science & Engineering department.
Caroline Multari
Dr. Caroline Multari serves as an adjunct professor in the Polymer Science and Engineering Program. Her technical expertise includes utilizing biopolymers to develop biodegradable controlled-release technologies to improve the sustainability of a wide range of products including polymer additives, nutraceuticals, beverages, personal care, and home care. She has developed emulsion-based micro- and nanoencapsulation technologies for delivery of plant-based actives in beverages and personal care, as well as multifunctional biodegradable additives to enhance the compostability and toughness of poly(lactic acid) for additive manufacturing.
Caroline Multari earned her Ph.D. from Lehigh University in Materials Science and Engineering under Prof. Ray Pearson, an M.S. in Materials Engineering from California State University, Northridge, and bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Biochemistry.
Nadzrinahamin Ahmad
Dr. Nadzrinahamin Ahmad Nazir has been a member of Lehigh University's Polymer Science and Engineering Program since 2016. She is a Fulbright alumnus and in 2008 received the Outstanding Woman in Polymer Engineering Award from the Association of Women in Higher Education. Her publications and research activities are focused on analyses and characterization of thin-film membranes, polymer blends and composites, together with functionalized and plasticized polymers. She has performed detailed analytical, physical, as well as chemical characterization of various polymer blends. Dr. Nazir previously managed a quasi-governmental research lab as a Leading Research Officer and designed over 200 experimental procedures in support of research objectives. She also held responsibility over the lab's thermal and dynamic mechanical analyzers, as well as microscopy and spectroscopy instruments. In her spare time, Dr. Nazir is an avid baker and cake decorator.