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Zac Ward

Section Head | Nanomaterials Synthesis and Nanofabrication

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 (Chair: Ward Plummer)
  • University of Missouri, Columbia B.S. Physics
  • University of Missouri, Columbia B.A. English Literature

Research Experience:

  • 2009-Present Distinguished Research Staff, ORNL
  • 2009-2011 Eugene P. Wigner Fellow, ORNL

Professional Activities and Recognition:

  • Fellow, American Physical Society
  • Steering Committee Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Physics Section
  • Advisory Board Member: 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)