Wang Yao honoured by American Physical Society
Professor Wang Yao (Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2020, Innovation Award 2013), Chair Professor of Physics, University of Hong Kong, has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his contributions to the advancement of the field.
The American Physical Society was founded in 1899, with a mission to advance and diffuse knowledge of physics through journal publications, scientific meetings, and extensive programmes in education and public outreach. Each year no more than 0.5 per cent of its membership (excluding student members) are elected Fellows by their peers.
Yao’s research interests span an interdisciplinary area across condensed matter physics, quantum physics, and optics, with a current focus on two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures. His election to Fellow was in recognition of his pioneering contributions to valley optoelectronics. Yao laid down the theoretical foundation for versatile control of valley and spin in 2D semiconductors and their heterostructures.
“Since my student time, I have witnessed many respected names elected APS Fellows. I am really glad to become one of them,” Yao said.
With his Croucher Senior Research Fellowship, Yao will explore new functional mechanisms for versatile electronics and optoelectronics. These will be based on van der Waals layered structures, combining their unique aspects including the physics associated with the electron’s valley pseudospin and ubiquitous moiré pattern that provides a nanoscale landscape for the manipulation of electrons and optical excitations.
Wang Yao received his BSc from Peking University in 2001 and PhD in physics from the University of California, San Diego, in 2006. He joined the University of Hong Kong in 2008 and is currently Chair Professor in the Department of Physics. Yao received the OCPA Achievement in Asia Award (Robert T Poe Prize) in 2014 from the International Organization of Chinese Physicists and Astronomers (OCPA). He was selected for a Croucher Innovation Award in 2013 and a Croucher Senior Research Fellowship in 2020.
To view Professor Yao’s Croucher profile, click here.