Dr. Di Zhang| Ferroelectrics Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Di Zhang, Los Alamos National Laboratory , United States

Dr. Richard Zhang is a distinguished materials scientist specializing in the synthesis and characterization of advanced metal-oxide thin films. Currently a Director’s Postdoc Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he leads research on resistive switching mechanisms in oxide-based memristor devices using cutting-edge in-situ techniques. Richard’s expertise spans TEM microscopy, materials synthesis, and optical characterization, supported by extensive experience managing lab facilities and organizing international conferences. Recognized for his contributions with numerous awards, including the 2024 MRS Spring Meeting Best Poster Award, he continues to drive innovation in functional materials for next-generation electronics and energy applications. 🌟🔬

Profile :

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

Ph.D. in Materials Engineering, Purdue University, May 2021
M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Mar. 2017
B.E. in Materials Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, July 2013

WORKING EXPERIENCE

Director’s Postdoc Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Aug 2021 – present
Ph.D. Candidate, Purdue University, Sept. 2017 – May 2021
Master Student, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, April 2014 – Mar. 2017

RESEARCH FACILITIES & SKILLS

Microstructure characterization: TEM, FIB, Cryo-FIB, in situ (S)TEM heating/biasing, electron tomography, etc.
Materials synthesis: Pulsed laser deposition, RF Magnetron sputtering, etc.
Physical property measurement: PFM, Electrical four-point probe station, PPMS, etc.
Optical characterization: UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer, Spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman spectroscopy, etc.
Simulation software: COMSOL Multiphysics, SRIM.
Analytical X-ray techniques: theta-2theta, rocking curve, RSM, etc.
Data analysis and visualization: Python (Spyder, Jupyter, Hyperspy), MATLAB, Office Suite, etc.

HONORS & AWARDS

2024 Early Career Distinguished Presenter Award (MRS Society)
2024 MRS Spring Meeting Best Poster Award (<1%, 5 out of 500+) (MRS Society)
2021 Director’s Postdoctoral Fellowship (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
2021 Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award (Purdue University)
2021 MRS Spring Meeting Science as Art Competition Finalist (MRS Society)
and more…

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Grants and Proposals Writing Experience
Lab Facilities Management
User Facilities Accesses
Professional Organizations: MRS, MSA, APS, ACerS
Conference Organizing Experience

SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Various presentations at prestigious conferences

Guest Editors Experience

Editor for MRS Advances and Crystals (MDPI)

Papers Reviewing Experience

Reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals

TEACHING & MENTORING EXPERIENCE

Graduate Teaching Assistant at Purdue University
Mentored numerous students in research