The Marelli Research Group integrates fundamental science with rapid technology translation to develop next-generation biopolymers, pioneering solutions in drug delivery for plants, precision agriculture, and nanofabrication of biomaterials across multiple length scales. By focusing on energy prosperity, planetary health, and the upcycling of biomass, we engineer advanced materials that operate at the biotic/abiotic interface, enhancing food security, quality of resources, efficient use of energy, and environmental sustainability. Our work spans biomaterials science, self-assembly, and advanced fabrication, driving scalable innovations that positively impact society. We also investigate materials-based solutions for the preservation of living matter in anhydrous conditions and biointerfaces design, enabling biomaterials-based breakthroughs that address pressing global challenges in agriculture, food safety, and beyond.
​
CLIMATE PROJECT: Benedetto Marelli is the Director of the Wild Cards Mission in the MIT Climate Project. The mission focuses on high-risk, high-payoff innovation that can boost human prosperity and benefit planetary health by identifying the white spaces that have been underexplored by current solutions and technologies.
​
​
​
​
​
Photo: Jake Belcher
MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks to welcome and include all members, irrespective of background or identity. All individuals are expected to treat others with respect and courtesy, irrespective of such factors as race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age, or national origin. We seek to cultivate an overall climate in which every person feels welcome, respected, and are able to develop to their full potential, thereby creating a community that can do the same.