Prof. Huajian Gao

Brief Biography

Huajian Gao received his B.S. degree from Xian Jiaotong University of China in 1982, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1984 and 1988, respectively. He served on the faculty of Stanford University between 1988 and 2002, and as Professor and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research in Germany between 2001 and 2006. He is now Walter H. Annenberg University Professor of Brown University.

Professor Gao has a background in engineering science and applied mechanics. His current research interests are focused on nano mechanics of engineering and biological systems, including mechanical properties and behaviors of bone, gecko, cell, protein, DNA, carbon nanotubes, thin films and nanocrystalline materials. He has more than 20 years of research experience with more than 200 publications.

Professional Affiliations

Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Fellow, Institute of Physics.

Life Member, American Geophysical Union.

Member, Materials Research Society.

Member, American Physical Society.

Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Awards & Honors

Midwestern Mechanics Lecturer, 2005-2006.

Wissenschaftspreis des Stifterverbands (Research innovation award; team leader is Prof. Eduard Arzt), Max Planck Society, 2005.

Elected Board of Directors, Society of Engineering Science, 2005.

Young Investigator Award, Society of Engineering Science, 2005.

Elected Fellow, The Institute of Physics, 2004.

George Wallace Melville Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineering, 2004.

Elected Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineering, 2003.

Oversea Director, Shenyang Center for Interfacial Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2003.

Scientific Member (Director), Max Planck Society, 2001-2006.

Outstanding Young Investigator Award, National Science Foundation of China, 2000.

Chang Jiang Chair Professorship Award, Chinese Ministry of Education, 2000.

Special Achievement Award for Young Investigators in Applied Mechanics, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1999.

Humboldt Fellowship Award, 1997.

Alcoa Science Award, 1996.

Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship Award, 1995.

NSF Young Investigator Award, 1993-1998.

IBM Faculty Development Award, 1992-1993.

NSF Research Initiation Award, 1990-1992.

IBM Research Initiation Award, 1990.

Schlumberger Fellowship Award, 1988.

Harvard University Graduate Fellowship Award, 1984.

Xian Jiaotong University, "SAN HAO XUE SHENG" medal, 1979-1982.

Xian Jiaotong University Fellowship Award, 1978-1982.

Editorial Activities

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Editor (2006-)

Journal of Applied Mechanics, ASME Transactions, Associate Editor (2000-2006)

Acta Mechanica Sinica, Editor-in-Chief (2001-)

Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Chief Editor (2004-)

International Journal of Fracture, Regional Editor and Editorial Board (2004-)

Modeling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, Editorial Board (1998-2005), Executive Board (2005-)

International Journal of Solids and Structures, Acting Editor-in-Chief (1997), Editorial Board (2005-)

Journal of Computational & Theoretical Nanoscience, Editorial Board (2004-)

Journal of Nanoengineering and Nanosystems, Editorial Board (2004-)

Mechanics & Chemistry of Biosystems, Editorial Board (2004-)