Chris G. Van de Walle

Chris G. Van de Walle is the Herbert Kroemer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara's College of Engineering. As a member of the National Academy of Engineering and fellow of multiple prestigious scientific societies including the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society, he leads the Computational Materials Group which is part of UCSB's strong computational science cluster within the Materials Department.

His research interests focus on novel electronic materials, particularly wide-band-gap semiconductors (III-V nitrides, II-VI compounds), transparent conductors, complex oxides, loss mechanisms in light emitters, two-dimensional conductors, quantum information science, and the physics and chemistry of hydrogen interactions with solids. His group uses first-principles computational techniques to study atomic and electronic structure of crystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous materials, interfaces, surfaces, defects, and heterojunctions.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on semiconductor materials for quantum technologies, with particular emphasis on GaN, Ga₂O₃, and related compounds. His work combines computational materials science with applications in optoelectronics, quantum information, and energy technologies, demonstrating consistent innovation in understanding defects and their role in material properties.

Major Awards and Recognitions:

• Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics (APS)
• Materials Theory Award (MRS)
• Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (DoD)
• John Bardeen Award (TMS)
• Medard W. Welch Award (AVS)
• Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics)

Professor Van de Walle has mentored numerous successful researchers, including Dr. Fangzhou Zhao (Corbett Prize winner) and Dr. Mark Turiansky (APS Nicholas Metropolis Award recipient). His group maintains strong connections with the UCSB Quantum Foundry and the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center, demonstrating collaborative research efforts across multiple disciplines. The group actively investigates defects for quantum information science, loss mechanisms in light emitters, nitride semiconductors, halide perovskites, oxides, and hydrogen interactions with materials.