Zhaofeng Peng (彭兆丰)
Polymer Science & Engineering, UMass Amherst
Hello! My name is Zhaofeng Peng, currently a first-year Ph.D. student in Polymer Science and Engineering at UMass Amherst, working with Professor Laurel Kroo. Before this, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Peking University, Beijing.
Currently, I am working on the fluid mechanics of soft matter systems, such as flow-directed self-assemblies and instabilities of polymeric fluids. During my undergrad, I conduncted my research with Professor Guang Chen on the osmotic pressure of polyelectrolyte solutions and the swelling behavior of red blood cells.
In my free time, I love listening to music and occasionally creating my own (very amateur though). If you’re interested, please check out my gallery and give it a listen!
Education
09/25-present: University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) Polymer Science and Engineering
09/21-07/25: Peking University (PKU) Bachelor of Science with Honors Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Awards
Jun. 2025: Excellent Graduate, Peking University
Dec. 2024: Merit Student, Peking University
Dec. 2024: Huatai Science and Technology Scholarship, Peking University
Dec. 2023: Award for Academic Excellence, Peking University
Dec. 2023: Peking University Scholarship (Third Prize)
Aug. 2023: China Mechanics Competition in Honor of Zhou Peiyuan (Honorable Mention), The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Chou Pei-yuan Foundation
Oct. 2020: Chinese Chemistry Olympiad in Provinces (First Prize), Chinese Chemical Society
News
November 5, 2025
I am glad to share that I will be joining Professor Laurel Kroo’s lab at UMass PSE. I am excited about both the theory and the experiments to be explored in this new chapter.
September 2, 2025
New semester, new adventure!
July 1, 2025
Happy Graduation!
March 25, 2025
I am happy to share that I will be pursuing my Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I can’t wait to embark on this exciting adventure!
December 28, 2024
I attend the 12th Beijing Soft Matter Workshop and deliver a short presentation on our research about the osmotic pressure of polyelectrolyte solutions. I am honored to be selected for one of the Best Oral Presentation awards! Many thanks to Prof. Chen and my labmates for their invaluable help and encouragement! 