In July, Zhi-Hao Cui joined the UC Irvine Department of Chemistry as an assistant professor. Before joining UCI, Cui was a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University. He studies how a material’s chemical makeup and atomic structure shape the behavior of its electrons.

“My group uses calculations that start from the atoms themselves to understand materials with unusual properties, such as superconductors and magnets,” Cui said. “In my previous work, I studied copper-oxide superconductors and helped explain their electronic structure, as well as how pressure and differences in crystal structure can affect superconductivity.” 

Cui described how his research traverses the boundary between chemistry and condensed-matter physics – two fields that, while distinct, intersect in ways that allow for the exploration of new research pathways. “This is an exciting time for both fields,” said Cui. “Computational methods are improving quickly, and experiments are discovering and controlling complex quantum materials.” 

The UCI School of Physical Sciences is home to the Eddleman Quantum Institute, which fosters cross-collaborations between scientists from different fields to tackle emerging quantum science questions. “I am excited to join UCI because it is a place where chemists, physicists and materials scientists can easily work together,” said Cui, who’s a member of the institute. “I’m also looking forward to building my group and working with students from different backgrounds.”