Srivastava Lab

The Srivastava Lab studies complex coacervation and its use in designing soft materials. We study how macromolecular architecture, charge distribution, and solution conditions govern the length scales, structure, and dynamics of polyelectrolyte complexation, and we apply that understanding to coacervate protocells and membraneless compartments, bio-inspired adhesives and polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels for wet environments, and selective separation processes.

The Srivastava Lab is based in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Group News

2026

• [July 2026] Orchid attends the School on Methods and Applications of Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Neutron Reflectometry at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

• [July 2026] Helene joins our group as a graduate student after completing her undergraduate studies. Welcome, Helene!

• [July 2026] 8 undergraduate and 2 highschool students join our group as researchers for the Summer. Welcome, all!

• [June 2026] Sam presents on Complex Coacervate Microemulsions: A Platform for Protocellular Bioreactors at the 37th International Conference on Science and Technology of Complex Fluids, San Luis Potosí, México.

• [June 2026] Orchid receives travel scholarship to attend the "School on Methods and Applications of Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Neutron Reflectometry" at the NIST Center for Neutron Research in Gaithersburg, MD. Congrats, Orchid! 

• [June 2026] Caitlyn successfully completes her Ph.D. defense. Congratulations Dr. Fick!

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