Yifan Zhao

Professor Yifan Zhao (FHEA, SMIEEE) is a faculty member at the Centre for Life-cycle Engineering and Management, Cranfield University. His research spans Autonomous Systems, Digital Twinning, Human Factors, Sensor Technologies, and Through-life Engineering Services, integrating AI, computer vision, and signal processing to solve inverse problems in engineering and healthcare. Clients include Jaguar Land Rover, BAE Systems, and the NHS.

Dr. Zhao received his PhD in Automatic Control and System Engineering from the University of Sheffield (2007), with MSc and BEng in Automatic Control Engineering from the Beijing Institute of Technology. His work focuses on data-driven solutions for decarbonisation, non-destructive testing, driver monitoring, and digital healthcare, supported by grants such as the Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship and an Innovate UK £815K grant.

Recent publications highlight his expertise in EEG signal processing, structural health monitoring, and trustworthy AI implementation, with applications in aerospace, construction, and neurodegenerative disease diagnosis. Scientific awards include recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Senior Member of IEEE. Collaborations with industry leaders like Airbus and Thales, alongside supervision of research students (e.g., Isa Ismail, Yizhong Wang), underscore his impact.

Key projects include TRAMS-Enterprise (Trustworthy AI for construction) and CogShift (driver-cognition control authority shifting for autonomous vehicles). His lab, part of Cranfield's Manufacturing and Materials theme, develops innovative NDT technologies and AI frameworks for real-world applications.