Jia Grace Lu

Grace Lu is a Professor at the University of Southern California with joint appointments in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science. Her research explores nanoscale materials and quantum transport phenomena.

• Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University (1997)
• Postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley under the President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

Her work focuses on nanotechnology, quantum physics, and spintronics, particularly in topological insulators, semiconductor nanowires, and spin-polarized transport. Recent publications address phase-coherent transport, microwave-induced phase changes, and spin-orbit torque devices.

Key trends in her research include:

• Quantum coherence in nanowire systems
• Spintronic device engineering
• Magnetic and electronic properties of low-dimensional materials

Awards include:

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
• ONR Fellowship

She has received grants for studies on nanoscale phenomena and mentors graduate researchers through collaborative projects. Her work bridges fundamental physics and applied electronic devices.