Dr. Raymond Cao is a Professor and Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program at The Ohio State University (OSU). He also serves as the Director of OSU-Nuclear Reactor Lab (since 2016). Dr. Cao received his B.S. degree in nuclear physics from Lanzhou University, MS in nuclear physics from CIAE (2002), and Ph.D. from the nuclear and radiological engineering program at the University of Texas at Austin (2007). Before joining OSU in 2009, Dr. Cao was a research associate at the Positron Emission Tomography Lab at Harvard Medical School and at the Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Dr. Cao has served on the Ohio Nuclear Development Authority committee, appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in August 2024.

Dr. Cao’s research focuses on the intersection of applied physics and nuclear engineering, with emphasis on radiation and sensing technologies. His work centers on wide-bandgap semiconductor radiation sensors and their applications for neutron and gamma-ray detection in harsh and extreme environments, including those found in nuclear, space, and industrial settings. Visiting personal webpage.

Dr. Cao is also actively involved in the development of nuclear batteries, including nuclear betavoltaic and photovoltaic systems that harness decay energy to provide long-term, maintenance-free power for microelectronics and IoT sensors.

With extensive experience at four research reactors and serving as Director of the OSU Nuclear Reactor Laboratory since 2016, Dr. Cao is a recognized expert in the utilization of research reactors. His work includes instrumented in-core and near-core irradiation, as well as the testing of sensors and sensor materials under high-temperature and high-radiation conditions. 

He has published 200+ peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers and holds 33 patents.

Dr. Cao serves as a Senior Editor for IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 

He is appointed as an IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Distinguished Lecturer.

He is on the editorial board of Nuclear Science and Engineering.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Isotope and Radiation Division (IRD) of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and served as IRD Chair from 2015 to 2016.

Dr. Cao is a consultant for Awareability Technology, a startup focused on nuclear technology applications, and Hadron Energy, an advanced reactor developer.