Education: Missouri University of Science & Technology | Computer Engineering | Ph.D. Huazhong University of Science & Technology | Automatic Control | M.S. Wuhan University of Technology | Electrical Engineering | B.S.
Expertise
Research Interests: Dr. Zhang’s research interests include computational intelligence, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, classification, clustering, and optimization, neurodynamic optimization, and various application fields, including big data science, time series prediction, biomedical engineering, and autonomous robot navigation.
Impact
Grants:
N. Zhang and P. Cotae, “Excellence in Research: Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms for Standoff Detection of Threat Chemicals by Active Infrared Backscatter Hyperspectral Imaging,” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2024 – 2028.
J. Xu, N. Zhang, K. Klein, and D. Shetty, “Understanding the Processing-Microstructure-Property of Additively Manufactured Parts, Multi-scale Modeling and Experimental Characterization,” Department of Defense (DoD). 2020 – 2026.
L. Thompson, N. Zhang, M. Denis, J. Chen, and A. Peebles, “NIA MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education at the University of the District of Columbia,” National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2020 – 2025.
W. Mahmoud, N. Zhang, and A. Shahirinia, “Workforce Development in Cyber-Physical Systems and Machine Learning,” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2020 – 2025.
N. Zhang and L. Thompson, “An Intelligent Optimization, Clustering and Classification Framework for Large Scale Photo-Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy (PT-IRIS) Big Data,” Department of Defense (DoD). 2017 – 2022.
L. Thompson and N. Zhang, “Nurturing Women’s Innovativeness and Strength in Engineering through experiential learning in biomedical engineering (WISE),” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2017 – 2023.
N. Zhang, “An Intelligent Optimization, Clustering and Classification Framework for High Dimensional, Overlapped Classes, and Imbalanced Data,” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2015 – 2020.
L. Thompson, N. Zhang, and S. Haghani, “Integration, Cultivation, and Exposure to Biomedical Engineering at the University of the District of Columbia,” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2015 – 2020.
Nian Zhang, Esther Ososanya, and Wagdy Mahmoud, “Collaborative Research on Computational Intelligence Systems in Renewable Energy Engineering Applications,” National Science Foundation (NSF). 2011.
Honors and Awards:
Springer Nature Editorial Contribution Award and Springer Nature Author Service Award, Complex & Intelligent Systems, 2025 and 2026.
Scholar Award (selected through university-wide voting, one awardee per year), University of the District of Columbia, 2025.
Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS), Senior Associate Editor, 2019-present.
IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics (TCYB), Associate Editor, 2016-present.
IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems (TCDS), Associate Editor, 2025-present.
IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, Associate Editor, 2022-present.
Complex & Intelligent Systems (CAIS), Editorial Board, 2020-present.
IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems (TNNLS), Associate Editor, 2018-2024 and 2010-2015.
Outstanding Associate Editor Award, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems (TNNLS), 2021.
Excellence in Research Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2016.
Excellence in Teaching Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2015.
Excellence in Student Mentoring and Scholarship Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2014.
Leadership:
Program Chair, The 16th International Conference on Information Science and Technology (ICIST 2026), Coimbra, Portugal, October 1-6, 2026.
Program Chair, The 13th International Conference on Intelligent Control and Information Processing (ICICIP 2025), Muscat, Oman, February 6-11, 2025.
Program Chair, The 13th International Conference on Information Science and Technology (ICIST 2023), Cairo, Egypt, December 8-14, 2023.
Program Chair, The 11th International Conference on Intelligent Control and Information Processing (ICICIP 2021), Dali, Yunnan, China, December 3-7, 2021.
Program Chair, The 17th International Symposium on Neural Networks (ISNN 2020), Cairo, Egypt, December 1-5, 2020.
Program Chair, The 9th International Conference on Information Science and Technology (ICIST 2019), Hulunbuir, China, August 2-5, 2019.
Program Chair, The Eleventh International Conference on Advanced Computational Intelligence (ICACI 2019), Guilin, China, June 7-9, 2019.
