Introduction

Dr. Zhao is a lecturer, research scientist and director of the Electron Microbeam Laboratories (E-Beam Lab). The E-Beam Lab includes the electron microprobe, ESEM, SEM, EBSD and XRD facilities. Dr. Zhao is responsible for training new and existing users, teaching Electron Microbeam Techniques course (GEO 390R), maintaining the facilities at state-of-the-art conditions, and implementing and improving analytical routines. He also participates in graduate and undergraduate education.

Research

Dr. Zhao's research interests range from geological and materials sciences to applications of electron Microbeam and X-ray techniques to issues in science and engineering. They include thermodynamics and geothermobarometry, mantle petrology and diamond deposits, metasomatism of subcontinental lithospheric mantle, magmatism and ore deposits of large igneous provinces, emplacement and origin of intraplate large igneous intrusions, uranium mineralogy and deposits, application of mineral materials in reducing air pollution, nuclear waste management and environmental remediation, glasses and ceramics as nuclear waste forms, and bimetallic Pt alloy or non-Pt nanoparticles as fuel cell catalysts.