MH.Get in touch

The scientist

Across disciplines.
Connected by curiosity.

I’m Mohammad Houshmand, an Associate Research Scientist at NIST, working through Johns Hopkins University across materials science, structural engineering, and infrastructure systems.

My work spans material chemistry and microstructure through durability, mechanics, and structural performance. It brings together nature-inspired materials, controlled experimentation, and computational modeling.

Following my Ph.D. in civil engineering at Drexel, my research at NIST and Johns Hopkins has focused on measurement science and degradation in cementitious systems. As co-founder of novaMATs, I also work on translating materials research toward practical use.

Mentoring is part of that work: helping students and early-career researchers develop scientific independence and rigorous approaches to problem-solving.

Career & education

A path through
scales and disciplines.

From structural engineering to responsive materials and measurement science.

Appointments & experience

  1. Oct 2026 – Present

    Associate Research Scientist

    NIST / Johns Hopkins University

    Gaithersburg, MD

  2. Dec 2025 – Present

    Co-Founder & CEO

    novaMATs LLC

    Rockville, MD

  3. Oct 2024 – Sep 2026

    Associate Researcher

    NIST / Johns Hopkins University

    Gaithersburg, MD

  4. Jan – Jul 2024

    Research Associate

    Turner-Fairbank Research Center

    McLean, VA

  5. Jan 2022 – Dec 2023

    Laboratory Liaison

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia, PA

  6. Jan 2021 – Sep 2024

    Research Assistant

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia, PA

  7. Sep 2019 – Dec 2020

    Research Assistant

    Texas State University

    San Marcos, TX

  8. Mar 2017 – Sep 2019

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Tarbiat Modares University

    Tehran, Iran

  9. Sep 2015 – Feb 2017

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Sharif University of Technology

    Tehran, Iran

  10. Feb 2011 – Feb 2013

    Project Engineer

    Armeno Co.

    Tehran, Iran

From discovery to use

Beyond the
proof of concept.

As co-founder and CEO of novaMATs, I work on manufacturing scale-up and the translation of multifunctional fibers into practical construction materials.

Research meets application

Customer discovery through NSF I-Corps and the Lean Startup Accelerator informs how the technology could fit construction workflows, including 3D concrete printing and repair.

Explore novaMATs

From concept to invention

Co-inventor with Y. A. Farnam on Damage-Responsive Self-Healing Concrete.

International patent application · WO2025217013A1 · Published 2025