Zhongren Jiao

Zhongren Jiao is a 1st year Ph.D. student co-advised by Prof. Menachem Elimelech and Prof. Mingjiang Zhong in the department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. His research is focused on the synthesis and characterization of novel polymeric materials for antiscalants and ion-selective membranes. At the same time, he is investigating the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale in different systems through computational simulations.

Prior to his Ph.D. study, Zhongren obtained a B.S. degree in material chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China, where he worked with Prof. Tongwen Xu and Prof. Zhengjin Yang on the development of ionic cross-linking membrane for redox flow battery and ion separation. His interest in polymer synthesis was sparked as a visiting undergraduate student in Professor Neil McKeown’s group at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed a synthetic route for Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity with high specific surface area.

Outside lab, Zhongren enjoys traveling to historical sites and amusement parks around the world, especially roller coaster parks. In addition, he is adept at playing badminton and board games, often making new friends during these causal activities.