Shuai Zhang

Dr. Shuai Zhang is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), specializing in early literacy education and reading/writing interventions. He joined USJ in 2022 and holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on dyslexia, teacher professional development, and the application of technology in literacy instruction. He previously served as a voluntary literacy interventionist in North Carolina schools and as a research assistant professor at Appalachian State University.

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Education, Texas A&M University
• B.S. in Education, Shandong Normal University

Research Interests: Dr. Zhang investigates evidence-based interventions for reading difficulties, particularly among linguistically diverse populations. He emphasizes teacher training programs and the use of intelligent tutoring systems in high-poverty schools. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing gaps between research and classroom application.

Publications: His research spans reading comprehension, graphic novel readability, and automated writing scoring using AI tools like ChatGPT. He frequently publishes in journals such as Scientific Studies of Reading and Journal of Learning Disabilities.

Awards:

• Servant’s Heart Award (2022) – Highest honor from the Watauga County Board of Education

Grants & Advising: Dr. Zhang collaborates on federally funded literacy projects and mentors graduate students in educational research. His work includes designing scalable interventions for multilingual learners and students with neurodiverse needs.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with interdisciplinary teams at USJ focusing on literacy innovation and teacher preparation programs.