College of Sciences 2016-2017 Distinguished Researcher Award

Dr. Zhu joined the UNLV faculty in 2016 as an assistant professor. He is a theoretical astrophysicist whose research focuses on understanding physics of astrophysical fluids, planet formation, and accretion processes in astrophysical disks around black holes, compact objects, and young stars and planets.

Dr. Zhu already has made tremendous contributions to UNLV, as evidenced by being the first UNLV scientist to earn the prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship that honors early-career scholars whose achievements mark them as the next generation of scientific leaders, as well as receiving two major research grants, including a prestigious NSF five-year early CAREER award and a three-year NASA Astrophysical Theory (ATP) grant.