I am a research fellow at Nanjing Normal University. I received my Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park, advised by Dr. John D. Weeks. Prior to that, I worked on nonequilibrium statistical mechanics at Iowa State University, advised by Dr. James W. Evans. My current research focuses on metastable elastic nanostructures, with emphasis on applying enhanced sampling methods and generalized transition state theory to these systems.

Education

• Ph.D. Inst. for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park (Dec 2023)
• M.S. Dept. Physics & Astronomy, Iowa State University (May 2015)
• B.S. Dept. Physics, Nanjing Normal University (June 2011)

Publications

1. Renjie Zhao, Ziyue Zou, John D. Weeks, and Pratyush Tiwary. “Quantifying the Relevance of Long-Range Forces for Crystal Nucleation in Water.” Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation 19.24 (2023): 9093
2. Dedi Wang, Renjie Zhao (equal contribution), John D. Weeks, and Pratyush Tiwary. “Influence of long-range forces on the transition states and dynamics of NaCl ion-pair dissociation in water.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 126.2 (2022): 545-551
3. Renjie Zhao, Richard C. Remsing, and John D. Weeks. “Response theory for static and dynamic solvation of ionic and dipolar solutes in water.” Journal of Statistical Physics 180.1 (2020): 721-738 (special issue celebrating Joel Lebowitz’ 90th birthday)
4. Renjie Zhao, James W. Evans, and Tiago J. Oliveira. “Permeability and kinetic coefficients for mesoscale BCF surface step dynamics: Discrete two-dimensional deposition-diffusion equation analysis.” Physical Review B 93.16 (2016): 165411
5. Renjie Zhao, David M. Ackerman, and James W. Evans. “Refined BCF-type boundary conditions for mesoscale surface step dynamics.” Physical Review B 91.23 (2015): 235441
6. Renjie Zhao and Chenglin Luo. “Torsion-induced mechanical couplings of single-walled carbon nanotubes.” Applied Physics Letters 99.23 (2011)