Prof. Shuo Zhao | Secondary Refining | Best Researcher Award
Dean at Hebei University of Engineering | China
Prof. Shuo Zhao is an accomplished Associate Professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, China. With extensive experience in metallurgical engineering, he has contributed significantly to steelmaking, refining, and sustainable metal processing. Beginning his career as a smelting engineer and steelmaking project leader at Xingtai Iron and Steel Corp., he later pursued advanced academic and research roles in both China and the UK, including a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Warwick. His research addresses critical metallurgical challenges, such as inclusion control, alloy design, and recycling of 3D printing waste metals. Dr. Zhao has published widely in leading journals, served as a young editorial board member of several metallurgical publications, and actively participated in major national and international conferences. His work bridges fundamental metallurgy with applied industry practices, establishing him as a prominent figure in advancing sustainable steel and alloy manufacturing technologies.
Professional Profile
Education
Prof. Shuo Zhao pursued his undergraduate studies in Environmental Engineering at Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. Building on this foundation, he obtained his Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Kunming University of Science and Technology, where he developed expertise in advanced metallurgical processes. Driven by academic excellence, he continued with doctoral research at Chongqing University, specializing in metallurgical engineering, focusing on steel quality improvement and inclusion control mechanisms. His academic path reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation, combining environmental engineering principles with core metallurgical science. In addition, his training included practical research and project participation in process optimization, inclusion behavior, and clean steel production. This diverse academic journey provided him with the theoretical grounding and experimental expertise necessary for his future roles in academia and industry. His education laid the groundwork for innovations in metallurgical refining, recycling technologies, and sustainable approaches to steel and alloy production.
Experience
Prof. Shuo Zhao’s professional journey combines industrial and academic expertise. He worked as a smelting engineer and steelmaking project leader at Xingtai Iron and Steel Corp., where he gained practical experience in steel production and metallurgical innovation. Transitioning to academia, he became a lecturer at Hebei University of Engineering in, teaching and mentoring students in metallurgical processes. He broadened his research horizons through a visiting fellowship at Northeastern University and later as a postdoctoral research fellow at Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, collaborating on advanced steelmaking and alloy research. He has served as an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Hebei University of Engineering. He also holds editorial roles in leading metallurgical journals and contributes as a reviewer. His experience reflects a balance between fundamental research, applied industry innovation, and international collaboration in steel and alloy technologies.
Awards and Honors
Prof. Shuo Zhao has been recognized for his academic excellence and contributions throughout his career. During his studies, he received the prestigious Doctoral Graduate National Scholarship in China, reflecting his outstanding research achievements. He was named Excellent Graduate at Chongqing University, further highlighting his scholarly dedication. Earlier in his academic journey, he was awarded the Excellent Student Award and Excellent Student Scholarship by Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. Beyond student accolades, Dr. Zhao has earned recognition in his professional career through invitations to deliver keynote and invited reports at major national and international conferences, including the National Continuous Casting Academic Annual Meeting and the Youth Academic Conferences of the China Metallurgical Society. His leadership roles on editorial boards of leading journals, such as Journal of Iron and Steel Research International, China Metallurgy, and Special Steel, also reflect his recognized status in the global metallurgical research community.
Research Focus
Prof. Shuo Zhao’s research focuses on advancing metallurgical engineering with emphasis on inclusion control, steel cleanliness, and sustainable material processing. His work explores the deformation and removal mechanisms of inclusions during steel rolling and refining, contributing to improved mechanical performance and reliability of advanced steels. He has investigated the role of alloying elements, slag treatment, and refining processes to optimize steel microstructures, addressing industrial demands for high-strength, low-alloy steels. Additionally, he has made significant progress in recycling 3D printing waste metal powders, developing efficient melting and recovery processes to promote circular economy practices in metallurgy. His research also spans vanadium and titanium enrichment from slags, refining processes for high-performance alloys, and computational simulations of molten steel dynamics. By combining experimental studies, modeling, and industrial application, Dr. Zhao’s research not only advances fundamental metallurgy but also provides practical solutions for sustainable steelmaking and advanced alloy development in modern industry.
Publication top Notes
Simulation of inclusion removal behavior of high Al molten steel fed with composite cored wire
Year: 2025
Effect of Ti and N Contents on the Characteristic Evolution and Thermal Stability of MC Carbonitrides Holding at 1250 °C in H13 Die Steel
Year: 2024
Simulation of Fluid Flow and Inclusion Removal in Five-Flow T-Type Tundishes with Porous Baffle Walls
Year: 2023
Citations: 5
Formation mechanism of surface upwarping and black line defects on low carbon hot rolled plate
Year: 2023
Research progress on deformation behavior of inclusions during slab rolling process
Year: 2024
Optimizing RH refining process to maximize cleanliness of low carbon low silicon Al killed steel
Year: 2023
Conclusion
Overall, Prof. Shuo Zhao presents an excellent case for the Best Researcher Award. His academic background, industrial contributions, and significant achievements in metallurgy and materials science highlight his strong potential as a leading researcher. His innovative work on inclusion control, steel cleanliness, and recycling of advanced materials reflects both scientific depth and industrial relevance. With continued growth in international collaborations, sustainability-focused research, and leadership in mentoring, he is highly suitable for this award and well-positioned to make lasting contributions to the global metallurgical research community.