Email: le.zhao@ufl.edu
Office: NPB #2331
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Physics Ph.D. Student · University of Florida
Lexu Zhao (Gavin)
Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics · AI for Fundamental Science
My research spans theoretical condensed matter physics and AI for fundamental physics. I study correlated quantum many-body systems and topological quantum matter through mathematical methods, high-performance computing, and machine learning, with broader interests in quantum computing.
Previously, I worked in stellar astrophysics, building ML methods for the spectral classification of main-sequence stars and cool dwarfs. My long-term goal is to uncover new physical principles across scales, from quantum systems to the universe.
Last updated: 2026 Fall
Education
Education
2024–Present Ph.D. in Physics, University of Florida
Condensed Matter Theory, AI in fundamental Science (correlated quantum many-body systems, topological quantum matter,
physics-informed machine learning, quantum computing, etc.); Advisor: Jiabin Yu; Quantum Theory Project
2020–2024 B.S. in Mathematics, University of California San Diego
B.S. in Physics (Astrophysics), University of California San Diego
Stellar astrophysics and machine-learning-based spectral classification; Advisor: Chris Theissen
Publications & Preprints
Publications & Preprints
2026 Ideal Bands in Tight-Binding Models
L. Zhao, Y. Ge, S. Ryu, J. Yu · arXiv
2026 Two-magnon Response from Light Scattering in Altermagnets
S. Li, L. Zhao, C. Jia · arXiv
2025 Reduced Density Matrices Through Machine Learning
A. A. Azam, L. Zhao, J. Yu · arXiv (Co-first author)
2025 Classifying Cool Dwarfs: Comprehensive Spectral Typing of Field and Peculiar Dwarfs using Machine
Learning
T. Zhou, C. A. Theissen, S. J. Feeser, W. M. J. Best, A. J. Burgasser, K. L. Cruz, L. Zhao · The Astrophysical Journal 992, 93 · arXiv
Selected Conferences & Talks
Selected Conferences & Talks
Mar 2026 Wilson-Loop–Ideal Bands in Tight-Binding Models
APS Global Physics Summit, Denver, Colorado · Contributed presentation (Presenter) · Abstract
Mar 2026 Machine-Learning Accelerated Calculations of Correlation Functions
APS Global Physics Summit, Denver, Colorado · Contributed presentation (Co-first author; Presenter: Awwab Azam) · Abstract
Mar 2026 Two-Magnon Excitations in Altermagnetism Probed by Inelastic Light Scattering
APS Global Physics Summit, Denver, Colorado · Contributed presentation (Co-author; Presenter: Shuyi Li) · Abstract
Jan 2025 Hot Tech: Spectral Typing of M, L, and T Dwarfs with Machine Learning
245th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, National Harbor, Maryland (Co-author; Presenter: Tianxing Zhou) · Abstract
Jan 2024 Innovative Template Creation for Spectral Typing: A Study of Gaia DR3's Low-Resolution Spectra
243rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, New Orleans, Louisiana · Contributed presentation · Abstract
Aug 2023 Stellar Spectral Templates from Gaia Low-Resolution Spectroscopy
UC San Diego Summer Research Conference (SRC) · Talk
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA)
School of Physical Sciences, UC San Diego · 2023 · $7,500
NASA L'SPACE Academy NPWEE Fellow
NASA · 2023 · Certificate
Physics Honors Program
UC San Diego Department of Physics · 2023
Teaching & Engagements
Teaching & Engagements
Teaching Assistant, Physics
University of Florida · 2024 - Present
Courses/Labs Taught: PHY2004L, 2048L, 2053L
Teaching Assistant, Mathematics
University of California San Diego · 2023 - 2024
Courses Taught: MATH2, 3C
Stellar Data Lab Member
University of California San Diego · PI: Chris Theissen · 2022 - 2024
Cool Star Lab Member
University of California San Diego · PI: Adam J. Burgasser · 2022 - 2023
President, Astronomy Club
University of California San Diego · 2022 - 2023
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