Dr. Zhao’s current research group works on Computational Defect Properties. Specifically, his group aims to understand defect thermodynamics, defect production, defect migration, and defect evolution in different materials under deformation or irradiation conditions. The defects considered include point defects, impurities, dislocations, stacking faults, grain boundaries, and surfaces, etc. The materials concerned including nuclear structural materials and nuclear fuels spanning from metallic alloys to ceramics. For this purpose, different simulation techniques at different scales are concurrently or sequentially employed. Dr. Zhao has authored and co-authored more than 50 technical papers with more than 1400 citations in the field of defect properties in materials.