Zac Ward

Bio

Core Competencies: 

• Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Novel Materials Design and Synthesis for Functional Energy, Computing, Sensing Applications
• Single Crystal Film and Bulk Ceramic Synthesis
• Ion Implantation and Irradiation
• Quantum Materials, Energy Materials, High Entropy Materials
• Electronic, Magnetic, and Structural Characterization using Suite of Lab-Scale to Beamline Approaches
• Prototype Device Fabrication

Education:

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville Ph.D. Physics 2008 (Chair: Ward Plummer)
• University of Missouri, Columbia B.S. Physics 2004
• University of Missouri, Columbia B.A. English Literature

Research Experience:

• 2009-Present Senior Research Staff, ORNL
• 2009-2011 Wigner Fellow, ORNL

Professional Activities:

• Fellow, American Physical Society
• Steering Committee Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Physics Section
• Editorial Advisory Board: Journal of Applied Physics
• Panelist, US National Academies’ Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee
• Chair, Telluride Science Research Center Workshop
• Co-Chair, International Conference on High-Entropy Materials (ICHEM 2022)
• Elected Executive Committee: AVS Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures Division
• MRS Symposium and Tutorial Organizer: Multiple Spring and Fall meetings
• AVS Organizer: Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures symposia
• MMM-Intermag Symposium Organizer
• Active member of APS, AAAS, MRS

Education and Outreach:

• Science Advisor, NASA Space Center Houston Outreach Programs
• Mentor, ORNL-Appalachian Regional Commission summer research program (4-5 students/yr)
• Volunteer Staff, ORNL Traveling Science Fair
• Elementary classroom science demonstrations
• Mentor, ORAU-Siemens Teachers as Researchers program

Students and Postdoctoral Scholars Advised:

Graduate Students: Luke Coward(2025-current) Previous: Anthony T. Wong (Ph.D. 2017, Staff, NASA JPL); Dr. Hangwen Guo (Ph.D. 2012, Professor, Physics, Fudan University, China)

Post-docs: Mohana Kante(2025-current) Previous: Dr. Alessandro Mazza (Staff Scientist, LANL), Dr. Xingyao Gao (Staff, Applied Materials), Dr. Wenrui Zhang (Professor, Institute of Materials, CAS), Dr. Yogesh Sharma (Staff, Lam Research), Dr. Andreas Herklotz (Professor, Physics, Martin Luther University Halle, Germany), Dr. Christianne Beekman (Professor, Physics, Florida State University)

Awards

• 2022 ORNL-MSTD IMPACT Award
• 2017 Department of Energy Early Career Award
• 2016 ORNL Significant Event Award
• 2009 ORNL Eugene P. Wigner Fellowship
• 2008 American Physical Society’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in Magnetism 

Publications