Dr. Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte
Associate Professor
Office: 204 Fluor Daniel Building
Phone: (864) 656-5634
Fax: (864) 656-4435
Email: rodrigm@clemson.edu
Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte is an engineer, educator, and innovator. As a tenured Associate Professor at Clemson University, Rodrigo brings together engineering, biology, materials science, and medicine to develop technologies that can make healthcare more accessible, manufacturing more sustainable, and scientific discovery more impactful. He also serves on the faculty of the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center and the School of Health Research and leads global engagement initiatives within Clemson's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
Originally from Mexico, Rodrigo's international journey has taken him through the United States, Switzerland, Spain, India, South Korea, and Sweden. These experiences have shaped a collaborative approach to solving global challenges by connecting researchers, students, and industries across continents.
As director of Clemson's Multiscale Manufacturing Laboratory, Rodrigo leads a team developing next-generation technologies that address some of society's most pressing needs. His pioneering work in carbon-electrode dielectrophoresis (carbonDEP) enables the rapid manipulation and separation of cells and microorganisms, opening new possibilities for faster disease diagnosis, precision medicine, and future therapeutic technologies. His research also explores how renewable materials—including plant- and microbe-derived resources—can be transformed into high-performance carbon materials for applications ranging from energy and electronics to advanced manufacturing. By combining approaches such as origami and robocasting with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, his laboratory creates lightweight, high-performance materials while reducing environmental impact.
His group is also redefining the role of microorganisms by engineering them to manufacture microscopic fibers and materials, creating sustainable alternatives to conventional production methods. Across all of his research, a common goal remains clear: developing practical engineering solutions that improve people's lives while advancing a more sustainable future.
Rodrigo is equally passionate about educating the next generation of engineers. He introduced Clemson University's first course in the fundamentals of micro- and nanofabrication, modernized engineering education through hands-on, project-based learning, and championed international experiences that prepare students to work in an increasingly interconnected world. His classrooms emphasize creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and engineering solutions that address real-world societal challenges. He also serves as faculty advisor for Clemson's chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), mentoring future leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Rodrigo has dedicated his career to building stronger scientific communities. He has led international professional societies, organized major scientific conferences, served on editorial boards for leading journals, and promoted diversity and inclusion through university leadership. His service reflects a commitment to ensuring that science and engineering benefit society as a whole.
His contributions have earned numerous honors recognizing excellence in research, teaching, leadership, innovation, and public service, including Clemson University's Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Excellence in Service, the Provost Senior Tenured Outstanding Teaching Award, the Phil Prince Innovation in Teaching Award, SHPE's Educator Achievement Award in Higher Education, and the AES Electrophoresis Society Distinguished Service Award. In 2026, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Sweden, joining a distinguished international community dedicated to advancing knowledge and strengthening global collaboration.
Education
Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 2010
M.S., University of California, Irvine, 2009
B.S., Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey (México), 2004
Research Interests
Advanced Manufacturing, Microfluidics, Carbon, Electrokinetics, Dielectrophoresis, Bioparticle Sorting, Pathogens and Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Systems, Technology Development, Entrepreneurship
Selected Publications
R. Martinez-Duarte and M. Madou, “3D Carbon-electrode Dielectrophoresis”, Application focus of the AES Electrophoresis Society, October 2011.
M.C. Jaramillo, R. Martinez-Duarte, M. Hüttener, P. Renaud, E. Torrents and A. Juarez, “Increasing PCR sensitivity by removal of Polymerase inhibitors in natural samples using Dielectrophoresis”. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 43, 297-303 (2013).
R. Martinez-Duarte, F. Camacho-Alanis, P. Renaud and A. Ros, “Dielectrophoresis of lambda-DNA using 3D carbon electrodes” Electrophoresis, 34, 1113-1122 (2013).
R. Martinez-Duarte, “Microfabrication Technologies in Dielectrophoresis Applications – a review”, Electrophoresis, 33, 3110-3132 (2012).
G. Mernier, R. Martinez-Duarte, R. Lehal, F. Radtke and P. Renaud, “Very High throughput electrical cell lysis and extraction of intracellular compounds using 3D carbon electrodes in lab-on-a-chip devices” Micromachines, 3, 574-581 (2012).
R. Martinez-Duarte, P. Renaud and M. J. Madou, “A novel approach to dielectrophoresis using carbon electrodes” Electrophoresis, 32, 2385-2392 (2011).
Rammohan, P. K. Dwivedi, R. Martinez-Duarte, H. Katepalli, M. J. Madou and A. Sharma, “One-step Grayscale technique for the fabrication of 3-dimensional structures” Sensors and Actuators B, 153, 1, 125-134 (2011).
R. Martinez-Duarte, R. Gorkin, K. Abi-Samra, M. Madou, “The integration of 3D Carbon-electrode Dielectrophoresis on a CD-like Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform” Lab-on-a-chip, 10, 8, 1030-1043 (2010).
M. C. Jaramillo, E. Torrents, R. Martinez-Duarte, M. Madou and A. Juarez, “On-line separation of bacterial cells by carbon-electrode dielectrophoresis” Electrophoresis, 31, 2921-2928 (2010).
R. Martinez-Duarte and M. Madou. "SU-8 Photolithography and its impact on Microfluidics" in Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Handbook – Fabrication, Implementation and Applications edited by S. Mitra and S. Chakraborty. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, 231-268 (2011).
R. Martinez-Duarte, G. Turon Teixidor, P. Mukherjee, Q. Kang and M. J. Madou, “Perspectives of Micro and Nanofabrication of Carbon for Electrochemical and Microfluidic Applications" in Microfluidics and Microfabrication edited by S. Chakraborty, Springer, 181-263 (2009).
J. Schroers, G. Kumar, M. Madou and R. Martinez-Duarte, “Carbon molds for use in the Fabrication of Bulk Metallic Glasses Parts and Molds” WO/2010/111701, US 2012/0125071 A1.
