Dr. Yutsun Shao

Assistant Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Yutsun Shao. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Yutsun Shao received his B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University in 2012 and his Ph.D. in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018. Following his doctoral studies, he completed postdoctoral work at Cornell University. In 2023, he joined the University of Southern California as an Assistant Professor in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. His research focuses on the development and application of advanced electron microscopy techniques to understand materials and devices at the atomic scale. His current projects explore the interplay of spin, lattice, polarization, and charge in quantum materials, utilizing 4D-STEM to study multiferroic crystals and investigate the microscopic origins of various interactions. Shao has received several awards for his contributions to the field, including the Robert P. Apkarian Memorial Postdoctoral Scholar Award in 2021 and the Presidential Student Award in 2016. His lab aims to push the frontiers of electron microscopy and its applications in materials science.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2023-01-01 — Present

Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science • Los Angeles, CA

Joined as an Assistant Professor focusing on electron microscopy and materials science.

Awards

#

Robert P. Apkarian Memorial Postdoctoral Scholar Award

2021-01-01
#

Presidential Student Award

2016-01-01

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:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.