Zheng Zhang

Zheng Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on neural networks, quantum computing, uncertainty quantification, and optimization, with particular emphasis on tensor networks, low-rank compression methods, and hardware-efficient machine learning systems. He leads efforts in developing memory-efficient training algorithms for large language models (LLMs), tensorized optical networks, and physics-informed neural PDE solvers.

Key contributions include FLAT-LLM for LLM compression, FETTA hardware accelerators, and DeepOHeat for thermal simulation in 3D-IC design. His work spans cross-disciplinary areas such as quantum-inspired algorithms, stochastic control, and yield-aware optimization of photonic ICs. He holds a faculty position in the College of Engineering and is affiliated with the ECE department.

Research trends in his 2025 publications emphasize scalable training techniques for transformers, zeroth-order optimization methods, and optical computing integration. His work consistently addresses computational efficiency, memory constraints, and hardware acceleration across domains like AI, quantum computing, and electronic design automation.

Notable grants and lab affiliations include projects on FPGA-based neural training, quantum circuit simulation, and tensor-compressed PDE solvers. He advises on edge computing, neuromorphic systems, and uncertainty-aware design tools for integrated circuits.