Jing Du

Jing Du is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University. Her research integrates advanced experimental techniques with computational modeling to address critical challenges in materials science and biomechanics.

Her primary research areas include:

• Computational Mechanics: Developing numerical methods like reproducing kernel particle methods for microstructure modeling
• Fracture Mechanics: Investigating crack propagation in nuclear graphite and composite materials using in situ micro-CT
• Biomaterials and Biomechanics: Studying bone remodeling around dental implants and developing biodegradable bone putties
• Nuclear Materials: Analyzing fracture behaviors of NBG-18 nuclear graphite for energy applications

Her 15 recent publications (2021-2025) reveal a consistent methodology combining micro-computed tomography, atomic force microscopy, and finite element analysis to solve complex problems across energy and healthcare domains. Key trends include multiscale modeling of biomaterial-tissue interactions and machine learning-enhanced computational techniques for materials characterization.

Scientific recognition:

• Young Leader Award from a global society (2022)

As an Affiliate Researcher in Health and the Environment and Integrated Energy Systems themes, Dr. Du maintains extensive collaborations across engineering and medical disciplines. Her work demonstrates strong translational potential from fundamental materials research to clinical applications in orthopedics and dentistry, with multiple publications in high-impact journals including Journal of Nuclear Materials and Small.