Jianjun Dong, PhD, College of Sciences and Mathematics Faculty and Staff

Short Bio

Jianjun (JJ) Dong is the Thomas and Jean Walter Professor of Physics at Auburn University. His research focuses on theoretical and computational condensed matter physics, with particular emphasis on thermal transport, phonon dynamics, and nonequilibrium statistical physics. His group develops first-principles and theoretical approaches to understand ultrafast and nano-scale heat conduction across diffusive, hydrodynamic, and quasi-ballistic regimes, with applications to thermal energy conversion and storage materials and thermal management. He has also developed first-principles theoretical models for predicting the thermal conductivity of Earth materials under the extreme pressure and temperature conditions of the deep Earth, helping to improve our understanding of heat transport in the Earth’s interior and its thermal and evolutionary history. His earlier research includes the computational design and discovery of novel materials under high pressure, the development of thermoelectric materials for efficient energy conversion, and modeling disordered and glassy solids. Dong has led and contributed to research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and NASA, and is actively exploring AI-enabled approaches for scientific discovery.