Michelle Gaines
| Michelle Gaines | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Michigan State University (B.S.) North Carolina State University (Ph.D.) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Quantitative analysis of curly hair morphotypes |
| 🏅 Awards | Spelman College Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentorship (2023) |
Michelle Gaines is an American materials scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She is recognized for her pioneering research on the scientific characterization of curly hair phenotypes and her contributions to cosmetic science education.
Education
Gaines earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Biomolecular Engineering from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University.[1]
Research on curly hair science
Gaines is known for her innovative work in the quantitative analysis of Afro-textured hair and other curly hair types. Her research focuses on objectively measuring the geometry, diameter, and curl patterns of hair fibers to create standardized categories beyond traditional racial classifications.[2][3]
She developed a method for quantitatively classifying curl patterns, culminating in a pending patent titled "Quantitative Characterization of Curly Hair Phenotypes."[4] Her work has implications for hair care product development, cosmetic chemistry, and biomaterials science.[5][6]
Gaines' research has attracted national attention, being featured in Chemical & Engineering News, Popular Science, Cosmos Magazine, StudyFinds, and 11Alive News.[2][3][5][6][7]
Public outreach and education
At Spelman College, Gaines contributed to expanding the institution's cosmetic science curriculum, helping to establish one of the few undergraduate cosmetic science programs at a historically Black college or university (HBCU).[7] She also plans to launch "Hair Academy," an educational initiative exploring the intersection of hair's material properties and cultural significance.[8]
Selected publications
- Douglas, A.M., Fragkopoulos, A., Gaines, M.K., Lyon, L.A., Barker, T.H., & Fernandez-Nieves, A. (2017). Dynamic assembly of ultrasoft colloidal networks enables cell invasion within nanoporous fibrillar polymers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(5), 885–8890.
- Gaines, M.K., Swann, E., Qu, L., et al. (2023). Materials and Mechanics of Hair: A Review. Accounts of Chemical Research, 56(22), 2781–2893. [1]
References
- ↑ "Michelle Gaines". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Reclassifying curls, coils, and kinks". Chemical & Engineering News. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Curly, kinky, and coily: why scientists are studying textured hair". Cosmos Magazine. 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ "Michelle Gaines Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications". Justia Patents. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Scientists develop new way to measure curly hair". Popular Science. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Scientists finally crack the science behind curly hair". StudyFinds. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Spelman College to expand cosmetic science program". 11Alive News. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ↑ "Dr. Michelle Gaines has a Patent Pending for Groundbreaking Hair Science Research". Spelman College. 2025-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
External links
- Spelman College Faculty Profile
- Publications by Michelle Gaines, at ResearchGate
- Michelle Gaines on TwitterLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 23: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
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