Junfeng Zhao

Dr. Junfeng Zhao is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's Polytechnic School within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He serves as the Principal Investigator of the Battery Electric & Intelligent Vehicle (BELIV) Lab and holds graduate faculty appointments in both the Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS) and Clean Energy Systems (CES) programs.

Dr. Zhao's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University (2015), recipient of OSU Presidential Fellowship
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of British Columbia (2009)
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University (2007)

Dr. Zhao's research focuses on connected and automated vehicles (CAV), with expertise spanning system integration, safety assessment, motion planning and controls, cooperative perception, AI/ML applications in automotive systems, and electrified propulsion control. His BELIV Lab develops advanced systems for battery electric and intelligent vehicles, targeting safer, cleaner, and more energy-efficient transportation solutions. With industry experience at General Motors R&D and Cummins Technical Center, his work bridges theoretical research with practical automotive applications.

Analysis of Dr. Zhao's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on cooperative perception frameworks, safety assessment methodologies for automated driving systems, integration of satellite positioning for vehicle localization, and novel testing approaches using digital twin and augmented reality technologies. His research consistently addresses critical challenges in autonomous vehicle deployment.

Professional recognitions include:

• OSU Presidential Fellowship during doctoral studies
• 15 patents in automotive and vehicle systems

Dr. Zhao actively mentors 9 current graduate students across PhD and Master's programs, with research areas spanning autonomous driving, battery management systems, and intelligent transportation. His former students have secured positions at major companies including Caterpillar Inc., BYD North America, and TSMC. The BELIV Lab has established itself as an Autoware Center of Excellence, received funding from industry partners like Cox, and has been featured in media coverage including The State Press and documentaries on self-driving technology.

BELIV Lab maintains active industry collaborations and participates in outreach activities such as the 10th Annual Hands-on STEM Fair, demonstrating Dr. Zhao's commitment to inspiring future engineers and advancing autonomous vehicle technology through both academic research and practical implementation.