He received his Ph.D. degree from the California Institute of Technology, where he conducted research on semiconductor surface reconstruction and functionalization processes, and on the development of atomic force microscopy probes using carbon nanotubes. His research areas at GW will include the development of multifrequency atomic force microscopy methods and their application to characterize the nanomechanical properties of energy relevant and biological materials. Prior to coming to GW, Prof. Solares served as assistant and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, and prior to that he held technical and management positions with Mars Incorporated (in North America) and with Pepsi-Cola International (in Latin America).