About
Sanwu Wang, Ph.D., is the Ruth and William Kistler, Jr. Endowed Chair Professor and the chair of the Department of Physics & Engineering Physics at The University of Tulsa. He is a theoretical physicist specializing in quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics, materials science and nanotechnology. His recent research focuses on first-principles density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. He has published more than 70 papers in journals such as Nature Materials, Nature Catalysis and Physical Review Letters. His research has been funded by the NSF, DOE, NASA, ORAU, PRF and so on.
Wang’s academic journey began with a B.S. in physics and a graduate diploma in theoretical physics in China. He received his Ph.D. in physics in 1999 from the University of Newcastle, Australia. From 1999 to 2002, he conducted postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University and Florida State University, then served as research assistant professor at Vanderbilt until 2006, when he joined the faculty at The University of Tulsa. Wang has mentored numerous postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students.
Wang is the recipient of the 2024 Senior Research Award, the 2012 Zelimir Schmidt Award for Outstanding Research and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.
Awards and honors
- Senior Research Award, Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, 2024
- Zelimir Schmidt Award for Outstanding Research, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, 2012
- Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 2008
- Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship (OPRS), Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA), the Australian Commonwealth Government, 1995-98
Education
- Ph.D., The University of Newcastle, Australia
- Dissertation: “Theoretical Studies of Adsorption and Co-Adsorption on the Si(111) Surface”
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Condensed matter theory
- Quantum theory
- Density functional theory
- Computational materials science and nanoscience
- First-principles quantum-mechanical calculations
- Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
- Electronic materials
- Catalytic materials
- High-entropy ceramics
- Solar cell perovskites
- Superconductors
- Biofuels
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Physical chemistry
- Chemistry physics.