Yang Zhang

Yang Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department at UCLA, leading the Human-Centered Computing and Intelligent Sensing Lab (HiLab). His research focuses on enhancing ambient computing through novel sensing technologies and energy-harvesting systems, advancing IoT, assistive technologies, and sustainable intelligence. He earned his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with prior work at Microsoft Research and Disney Research.

Research Interests: His work spans wearable computing, ubiquitous sensing, and hardware prototyping. Key areas include self-powered sensors (e.g., Sozu), laser-based environment sensing (Vibrosight), and body-centric interfaces (SkinTrack, ActiTouch). He emphasizes practical, inclusive, and energy-efficient solutions.

Awards & Recognition:

• CHI Best Paper (2020: Wireality)
• CHI Best Paper (2018: Wall++)
• Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (2017)
• Multiple Honorable Mentions at CHI/UIST

Teaching: Courses include Circuit Theory, Engineer Interactive Systems, and Electrical & Electronic Circuits.

Labs & Teams: Directs the HiLab, collaborating on projects like OptoSense, MorphingCircuit, and Wireality. His lab emphasizes cross-disciplinary innovation at the intersection of hardware and human-computer interaction.