Wenhua Zhao

Wenhua Zhao is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA), affiliated with the School of Earth and Oceans and the UWA Oceans Institute. He holds a PhD in Ocean Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research focuses on offshore hydrodynamics, AI-driven renewable energy technologies, and wave-structure interactions, with applications to offshore wind, floating solar, aquaculture, and green hydrogen systems. He leads projects funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), including a Future Fellowship (2023) and DECRA Fellowship (2019).

Education: PhD in Ocean Engineering (2014), Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Research interests include fluid-structure interactions, renewable energy infrastructure, and AI integration in ocean engineering. He serves as Deputy Editor of Ocean Engineering, Associate Editor of ASME Journal of OMAE, and editorial board member of Applied Ocean Research. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy, industry innovation, and climate action.

Grants include leadership roles in ARC hubs for offshore floating facilities and transformative energy infrastructure. Notable awards include the Mid-Career Research Award (2023) and selection as an Eight Innovation Partner for TetraSpar floating wind projects.

• Teaching: Coordinates courses on offshore energy design and advanced offshore systems at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Service: Graduate Research Coordinator, Board member of Postgraduate Studies Committee, and Research Committee member at UWA's Oceans Graduate School.
• Industry Relevance: Collaborates on projects like BW Ideol’s Floatgen and TetraSpar floating wind, advancing green hydrogen/ammonia technology.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Shell EMI Chair in Offshore Foundations and the UWA Oceans Institute. His research bridges fundamental hydrodynamics with applied offshore engineering solutions.