ACADEMIC DEGREES

• Ph.D. (June 2006) Materials Physics and Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, China, 2006
• M.S. (June 2003) Materials Engineering, Southeast University, China, 2003

EXPERIENCES

• February 2026 – Present, Interim Director, NanoEngineering Research Core Facility (NERCF), University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• July 2023 – Present, Research Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• January 2016 – June 2023, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• July 2014 – June 2016, Adjunct Research Assistant Professor, Portland State University, Portland OR
• July 2014 – July 2015, Research Scientist, Ocean NanoTech, San Diego, CA 
• March 2010 – July 2014, Postdoc, Portland State University, Portland OR
• April 2008 – March 2010, Postdoc, Peking University, Beijing, China
• September 2006 – October 2007, Visiting Research Scholar, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

COURSES TAUGHT

• MECH 492/892 -- Introduction to NanoEngineering Research Core Facility
• MECH 492/892 -- AFM Based Characterizations at Submicroscale

AREAS of RESEARCH and PROFESSIONAL INTEREST

My research focuses on understanding the fundamental relationships among processing, microstructure, and performance in advanced materials. By integrating advanced characterization methods with materials science principles, I investigate how complex three-dimensional microstructures form, evolve, and influence material behavior.

Current research interests include additive manufacturing, microstructural evolution, nanoscale mechanics, biomaterials, and multifunctional nanocomposites. A central theme of my work is the development of correlative and multiscale characterization approaches that connect processing history to microstructural features and material performance.

As Interim Director of the Nano-Engineering Research Core Facility (NERCF), I also work to advance research infrastructure that supports interdisciplinary discovery across engineering, physical sciences, and biomedical research.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Wang, M., Xiao, X., Siddika, S., Qian, W., et al. Glassy Gels Toughened by Solvent. Nature, 631, 313–318 (2024).
2. Wang, M., Zhang, P., Shamsi, M., Qian, W., et al. Tough and Stretchable Ionogels by In Situ Phase Separation. Nature Materials, 21, 359–365 (2022).
3. Qian, W., McConnell, M., Ley, J., Schwaninger, L., Chen, X., Cui, B., & Turner, J. A. Microstructural Investigation of Graphene Reinforced Nickel Aluminum Bronze Prepared via Laser Powder Bed Fusion. Journal of Laser Applications, 37, 032018 (2025). (Editor's Pick)
4. Qian, W., Gamsjaeger, S., Paschalis, E. P., Graeff-Armas, L. A., Bare, S. P., Turner, J. A., Lappe, J. M., Recker, R. R., & Akhter, M. P. Bone Intrinsic Material and Compositional Properties in Postmenopausal Women Diagnosed with Long-Term Type-1 Diabetes. Bone, 174, 116832 (2023).
5. Qian, W., Sun, S., Johnson, T., Nguyen, C., Ducharme, S., & Turner, J. A. Integrated Analysis of Chain Orientation Induced Anisotropy in Nanoimprinted PVDF-Based Copolymers. Polymer, 239, 124435 (2022).
6. Qian, W., Li, W., Nguyen, C., & Turner, J. A. Quantitative Nanoscale Measurements of the Thermomechanical Properties of Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). Journal of Polymer Science, 58, 1544–1552 (2020). (Cover Article)
7. Qian, W., Hao, R., Tian, Y., Shen, C., Gao, H., Liang, X., & Hou, Y. Solvothermal-Assisted Exfoliation Process to Produce Graphene with High Yield and High Quality. Nano Research, 2, 706–712 (2009). (Cover Article)