Dr. Rui Xu

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Rui (Ray) Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California, beginning January 2025. Prior to joining USC, he was a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University and the PULSE Institute at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 2019, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University in 2014, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2012. His research centers on multiscale reacting flow modeling to enable sustainable high-speed aerospace propulsion and facilitate clean energy transitions. He has received several awards, including the American Chemical Society Wiley Computers Chemistry Outstanding Postdoc Award in 2024. His work includes developing high-performance computational approaches to study reacting flows, integrating fast quantum chemistry calculations with chemical kinetic modeling, and applying machine learning methods to enhance data-driven research in sustainable aviation fuel design and high-speed flow physics.

Research Interests

Experience

Postdoctoral Scholar

— Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Conducted research in the Department of Chemistry and PULSE Institute focusing on multiscale reacting flow modeling.

Awards

#2025

Charles Lee Powell Foundation Faculty Research Award

#2024

American Chemical Society (ACS) Wiley Computers Chemistry Outstanding Postdoc Award

#2022

American Conference Theoretical Chemistry (ACTC) AFOSR Scholar Award

#2018

NSF Student Travel Award

#2012

Graduated with Highest Distinction

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science
Application Checklist
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE General scores
  • TOEFL scores (International)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
Specialization Notes

Requires general GRE for all graduate degrees.