Wai-Yim Ching, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He got Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in physics from Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge. He is a group leader of the Electronic Structure Group (ESG) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and an invited speaker on many conferences. He is the Author or co-author of about 500 journal articles with total citations of over 25,200 and H index 81. His research area includes disciplines of condensed matter physics, chemistry, biology, material science, engineering, geophysics, and earth science.

His recent honors include Robert B. Sosman Award, American Ceramics Society. (2024), Fellow of the AAAS (2018), University of Missouri’s Presidential Award for Sustained Career Excellence (2017), Academician of World Academy of Ceramics (2016), Fellow of the American Physical Society (2008), the Royal Society of Chemistry (2007), the American Ceramic Society (2002).