Dong Zhao

Dong Zhao is an Associate Professor of Construction Management in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with a joint appointment in Civil and Environmental Engineering within the College of Engineering. His research pioneers human-building integration for smart and sustainable urban environments through advanced computational approaches.

Education:

• Ph.D. from Virginia Tech
• Postdoctoral research at Virginia Tech

Dr. Zhao's work fundamentally bridges human factors with building systems to optimize energy efficiency, productivity, and occupant health. His expertise spans smart building energy retrofitting, sustainable EV charging infrastructure, virtual design/construction methodologies, and systemic risk mitigation in built environments. This research creates actionable frameworks for transforming cities into responsive, sustainable ecosystems where technology serves human needs.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award
• ASCE ExCEEd Teaching Award
• ASCE Best Journal Paper Award

Secured major funding from the National Science Foundation, US Department of Transportation, US Economic Development Administration, and Michigan Department of Transportation. Serves as officer for ASCE's Data Sensing and Analysis Committee and reviews for over 50 international journals. As a LEED AP and TEDx speaker, he actively translates research into sustainable building practices and policy initiatives.