Ji-Cheng Zhao

Dr. Ji-Cheng (JC) Zhao is a Minta Martin Professor and Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at University of Maryland. He was a Professor at The Ohio State University (OSU) until June 2019.  Dr. Zhao joined OSU in January 2008 after 12 years (1995 to 2007) as a materials scientist and project/team leader at GE Global Research in Schenectady, NY. He took a leave from OSU from January 2014 to August 2017 to serve as a Program Director at DOE ARPA-E and has returned to OSU full time since September 2017. His research focuses are on high-throughput materials science methodologies, determination of phase diagrams and diffusion coefficients and other materials properties, computational thermodynamics, and ICME design of advanced alloys and coatings. In addition to many materials innovations, he developed a diffusion-multiple approach and co-developed several associated materials property microscopy tools for accelerated materials discovery and development. The invention of ultrafast laser materials property microscopy by the Zhao-Cahill team was recognized as one of the eight finalists for the 2018 Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis, the highest remunerated international prizes for laser technology innovations. Zhao was elected a Fellow of ASM International in 2003 and a Fellow of MRS in 2019. He holds 48 issued US patents. Zhao serves as an Associate Editor or editorial board member of five international journals. Zhao was the 2001 winner of the prestigious Hull Award from GE Global Research and was cited “for his leadership skills in advancing innovative, state-of-the-art development methodologies that aim to decrease cycle time for materials discovery while increasing robustness of the work. He also was recognized for his expertise and leadership regarding the critical nature of coatings and high temperature materials, and for his enormous energy and perseverance in solving real business challenges.”