Emily Liu

Emily Liu is the Department Head and Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), with a secondary appointment as Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering. A condensed matter physicist and nuclear engineer, she bridges experimental and computational methodologies to address energy systems, socio-technical networks, and neutron scattering physics.

• B.Sc. in Technical Physics, Peking University (1999)
• Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT (2005)

Her research integrates neutron/X-ray scattering with simulations (molecular dynamics, DFT) to study energy materials, nuclear fuel cycles, and climate-resilient systems. She emphasizes applications in nuclear data, smart infrastructure, and human health. Recent work focuses on molten salt corrosion, neutron moderator optimization, and socio-technical system design.

The 15 most recent publications reflect her expertise in energy economics, material degradation, nuclear reactor design, and data-driven systems analysis. Her studies often involve interdisciplinary collaborations with engineers, economists, and psychologists.

Notable scientific awards include:

• ELATES at Drexel Fellowship (2018-2019)
• Arab-American Frontiers Fellowship (2017)
• Cozzarelli Prize (2006)
• Manson Benedict Fellowship (2003)

As an educator, she teaches courses such as Nuclear Phenomena for Engineering Applications and Introduction to Engineering Analysis. She has served as Graduate Program Director for ISE and mentors numerous undergraduate and graduate students, including thesis committees for 35 PhD candidates.