Xiaojia Zhang

Xiaojia Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and also holds an appointment at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). He is a David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar. His research focuses on topology optimization, multi-material systems, composite materials, and sustainable design, with applications in mechanical, biomedical, and environmental engineering. Zhang’s work integrates computational mechanics, advanced material science, and additive manufacturing to develop innovative materials and structures.

His key research interests include the design of meta-devices, programmable materials, and structures optimized for mechanical performance, energy dissipation, and environmental impact. Zhang has received prestigious awards such as the DARPA Director’s Fellowship Award (2024), DARPA Young Faculty Award (2022), and NSF CAREER Award (2021). His contributions span theoretical frameworks, computational tools (e.g., FEniTop software), and experimental validations of optimized structures.

• Labs/Teams: Active contributor to NCSA’s high-performance computing initiatives and collaborative projects in the College of Engineering.
• Advising & Grants: NSF CAREER-funded research in topology optimization and sustainability-focused grants. No formal advisee list provided.