Xiaopeng Zhao

Xiaopeng Zhao serves as the Chair and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Mississippi since August 2025, focusing on enhancing academic excellence and integrating advanced technologies within a research-active environment. Prior experiences include a distinguished tenure at the University of Tennessee from August 2007 to August 2025, where Zhao held multiple roles, including Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, Joint Faculty Professor at Bredesen Center, and Program Director of AI Initiatives. Zhao's contributions also extend to serving as a Congressional Science and Technology Fellow in AI for AAAS, co-founding Rocky Top Chess, and directing projects aimed at Alzheimer's Disease treatment. Academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech and master's and bachelor's degrees in the same field from Tsinghua University.