Fei Gao named inaugural James Duderstadt Collegiate Professor in Nuclear Engineering
The NERS professor was recognized for groundbreaking contributions to radiation materials science and multiscale modeling.
Fei Gao, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, has been named the first James Duderstadt Collegiate Professor in Nuclear Engineering. The University of Michigan Regents approved the appointment at their May 2025 meeting, following the establishment of the professorship earlier this year in honor of former U-M president and NERS faculty member James J. Duderstadt.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled to be appointed to the James Duderstadt Collegiate Professorship,” said Gao. “This recognition is a significant milestone in my career, and I am committed to upholding the high standards of this esteemed institution. I am dedicated to making this professorship a success and contributing to the continued excellence of NERS.”
Gao is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in the fundamental understanding of ion-solid interactions and radiation effects in ceramics and reactor materials. His research spans a wide range of topics central to nuclear energy and radiation detection, including the degradation of spent nuclear fuel canisters, swift heavy ion damage, and the behavior of ceramics used in nuclear waste forms, fuels, and fusion reactor environments.
A hallmark of Gao’s research is the development and application of multiscale computer simulations to model microstructure evolution in irradiated materials. His group integrates a variety of computational methods—including density functional theory (DFT), ab initio molecular dynamics, time-dependent DFT, tight-binding calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, kinetic Monte Carlo, and phase field model—to study the complex behaviors of materials at multiple scales.
In addition to his work on nuclear materials, Gao has made significant contributions to understanding radiation response and signal generation in detector materials, enhancing the performance and reliability of radiation detection systems.
The James Duderstadt Collegiate Professorship in Nuclear Engineering was established to honor Duderstadt’s profound impact on nuclear engineering, higher education, and the University of Michigan. By naming Gao the inaugural chairholder, the university celebrates both Duderstadt’s legacy and Gao’s continued leadership in advancing nuclear science and engineering.
“Professor Fei Gao is an outstanding choice as the inaugural Duderstadt Professor,” said NERS Chair Todd Allen. “A world leader in computational materials science, he brings exceptional expertise and leadership to our group of materials science faculty. He is also a generous colleague, deeply committed to helping others succeed.”