Xiao Shen

Xiao Shen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Materials Science at the University of Memphis, College of Arts and Sciences. As a computational physicist, his research focuses on condensed matter physics and modern electronic-structure methods to investigate solid-state phenomena.

• Research areas: 2D materials (particularly silicon telluride), memristive systems, thermoelectrics, defect engineering, ferroelectric metals, and magnetocaloric effects
• Teaching: Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Computational Physics courses
• Funding: National Science Foundation, ORAU Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Enhancement Award, University of Memphis Research Investment Fund, and College of Arts and Sciences Early Career Research Award

His publications (2015-2025) demonstrate expertise in computational modeling of phase transitions in vanadium dioxide, defect engineering in garnet crystals, memristive switching mechanisms, and 2D nanomaterials with applications in electronics and energy systems.

Scientific awards include:

• National Science Foundation grants
• Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Enhancement Award (ORAU)
• Early Career Research Award (University of Memphis)
• Research Investment Fund support

Dr. Shen actively supervises research projects and has published extensively on topics ranging from radiation effects in semiconductors to nanostructured supercapacitor materials, with recent work focusing on ultrafast phase transitions and dimensional material properties.