Jian Cao
Professor @ Northwestern University
Jian Cao is a startup investor at Northwestern University. Professor Cao’s major research interests include innovative manufacturing processes and systems, particularly in the areas of deformation-based processes and laser processes.Prof. Cao's work has made fundamental contributions to the characterization of the effects of material structure on forming behavior of metals and woven composites. Herresearch has integrated analytical and numerical simulation methods, control and sensors, design methodologies to advance manufacturing processes. Her research group has designed unique manufacturing equipment for microforming, dieless sheet forming, and additive manufacturing. Current research has direct impacts on energy-efficient manufacturing, surface engineering, and distributed manufacturing.Prof. Cao has published over 300 technical articles, including more than 175 journal articles, 10 book chapters, and 15 patents. She has given more than 130 invited talks.Prof. Cao has been active on national and international stages. She served as the Program Director of Materials Processing and Manufacturing (MPM) program at NSF from 2003 to 2005. During that short two-year period, she conducted the WTEC Study on Micro-manufacturing co-sponsored by four government agencies and more than ten NSF programs. She increased funding for her program by over 20% through collaboration with other NSF programs and federal agencies. Prof. Cao has served as President of North American Manufacturing Research Institute of SME and Chair of ASME Manufacturing Engineering Division. She is the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Committee on Forming and the Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Additive Manufacturing of CIRP. Prof. Cao is a Board member of mHUB, the Chicago-based incubator for physical-based startups.As Associate Vice President for Research at Northwestern University, Prof. Cao oversaw the unit that administers the university's core facilities. Working with faculty, staff and leadership at schools and the university, she successfully launched new funding models for key scientific instruments and software, and led initiatives for strengthening major supporting units, such as machine shop, electronics shop and clean rooms. Several University Research Centers now report to her, primarily in the physical sciences and engineering. Prof. Cao helps with collaboration between the physical sciences and engineering, as well as with other disciplines across and beyond NU.She is the founding director of the Northwestern Initiative for Manufacturing Science and Innovation, aiming to undertake multi-disciplinary research and education initiatives associated with the broad spectrum of manufacturing related both to computational design and manufacturing and to emerging hyper-customized and personalized manufacturing. Cao is a member of the Technical Advisory Board of the National Manufacturing Institute’s Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII).
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About Northwestern University
For a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree from a school with history and prestige, look no further than Northwestern University, a Big Ten school located in Evanston, Illinois.Northwestern is a large school and features many different areas of study. Though the school is known for its strong arts programs, many students also enroll inscience, engineering, and medical fields.Programs include Biological Sciences, Computer Engineering, Drama, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Film and Media Studies, Integrated Marketing Communication, Journalism, Performance Studies, Sociology, and Theatre, as well as many others.Don’t allow the idea of tuition keep you from attending school. In the financial aid options, counselors can point you toward loans, grants, and work-study programs. There are also many scholarships to choose from including the Northwestern University Scholarship.The annual job fairs aren’t the only resource for students looking to find employment. There are also internship and job listings, as well as programs to explore majors and career options.If Evanston isn’t convenient to you, Northwestern also has a campus in Chicago and even a new satellite campus in Qatar for those studying overseas.As far as student life goes, NU is the place to be. Northwestern University has over 200 extracurricular groups for students be involved in their interests and socialize with others. There is also a museum, concert hall, cinema, and theater for daily entertainment, and a strong athletic program.
Northwestern University Contacts
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Aviv Nevo
Professor of Economics and Marketing
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Francesca Cornelli
Dean
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Jian Cao
Professor
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Paul Sagan
Life Trustee
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William Osborn
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
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