معرفی
Qiang Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of Alabama, College of Engineering. He joined the Mechanical Engineering department in August 2023 after serving as an Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) Post-Doctoral research fellow at the UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Zhang's educational background includes:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wuhan University (2014)
- M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering from Wuhan University (2017)
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Pittsburgh (2019)
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & North Carolina State University (2021)
His research focuses on the intersection of robotics, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence to develop wearable robotic devices for rehabilitation. Key areas include biological signal-based neuromusculoskeletal modeling, human motion intent detection, nonlinear and adaptive control, and machine learning-based control. His work leverages surface electromyography and ultrasound imaging for real-time control of wearable robots, aiming to provide personalized assistance for individuals with mobility challenges such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Zhang's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating advanced machine learning techniques, particularly reinforcement learning and deep learning, with wearable robotics. His research emphasizes closed-loop control systems that adapt to individual users, with applications in ankle, hip, and hand exoskeletons. He has pioneered the use of ultrasound imaging for prosthetic control and human-robot interaction.
Among his notable scientific achievements:
- Finalist for the Best Student Paper Award, IEEE/RAS-EMBS ICORR 2019
- UNC/NCSU BME Department Ph.D. Student Research Award 2021
- ASME DSCD Rising Star Award 2022
- Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, UNC-Chapel Hill 2023
- Finalist for the Journal of Biomechanics Award 2023
- Diversity Travel Award at ASB 2023
- Finalist at the NIDILRR-sponsored Early Career Investigator Symposium 2023
Dr. Zhang mentors graduate students including PhD candidates Yun Chen and Oluwasegun Akinniyi. His research is supported by grants including funding from the SEC Faculty Travel Program and the Office for Research and Economic Development (ORED) at The University of Alabama. He serves as an associate editor for the IEEE RAS EMBS 10th International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob 2024) and as the ASME DSCD Mechatronics TC Secretary for 2024.
He leads the Enhanced NeuroRobotics Autonomy and Biomechanical Engineering (ENABLE) Lab, which brings together expertise in robotics, biomechanics, neuromuscular modeling, and artificial intelligence to create effective systems for improving quality of life. The lab utilizes multiple robotic platforms including Baxter manipulator, Kinova arm, and quadcopters for control development.
