"Numbers rule the universe."

Pythagoras

Biography

Chizhi Chris Zhang works at the intersection of data science and engineering, with sustained interests in data prediction, reliability, prognostics and health management (PHM), signal processing, and artificial intelligence. His work develops statistical learning and predictive modelling strategies that support diagnosis, monitoring, and decision-making in complex physical systems.

He is based at the Advanced Computing and Digital Technology Research Centre (CDTC), Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and contributes to graduate teaching and doctoral supervision through the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).

Research Themes
Data science for engineering systems Data prediction and predictive modelling Signal processing and monitoring Reliability and uncertainty analysis PHM and fault diagnosis Artificial intelligence for decision support

Current work brings together predictive modelling, reliability evaluation, signal-informed analysis, and deployable AI tools for engineering systems operating under uncertainty.

News

2024

Presented recent work on acoustophoretic separation of circulating tumor cells at the 15th International Conference on Hydrodynamics in Rome.

2023

Began the current academic stage at CIOMP and UCAS, bringing together digital engineering, signal processing, PHM, and doctoral supervision.

2023

Selected for the Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Academic Appointments

 
 
 
 
 
Associate Professor in Digital Engineering
The Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP)
2023 - Present Changchun, China
Leads research on digital engineering, AI-enabled simulation, and digital twin technologies for complex engineering systems, while contributing to graduate teaching and supervision through UCAS.
 
 
 
 
 
Lecturer
University of Hull
Mar 2023 - Dec 2023 Hull, UK
Delivered teaching in engineering mathematics, fluid mechanics, programming, and control while supporting applied research in digital engineering.
 
 
 
 
 
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Hull
Mar 2020 - Mar 2023 Hull, UK
Worked on data-driven modelling, computational analytics, and offshore wind research, including software development for wind turbine blade analysis.
 
 
 
 
 
Research Fellow
University of Cambridge
Sep 2019 - Apr 2020 Cambridge, UK
Investigated computational methods for acoustophoretic separation of circulating tumor cells in a microfluidics research setting.

Education

 
 
 
 
 
Non-degree study
MA in Global Public Policy
University of Birmingham
2024 - 2025 Birmingham, UK
Academic coursework and writing experience; not listed as an awarded degree.
 
 
 
 
 
Non-degree study
BA in International Business
University of Hull
2021 - 2024 Hull, UK
Coursework and dissertation-style academic writing; not listed as an awarded degree.
 
 
 
 
 
PhD in Computer-Aided Engineering
University of Greenwich
Dec 2014 - Jun 2019 London, UK
Doctoral research on fatigue damage modelling, reliability assessment, and maintenance strategy for wind turbine composite blades.
 
 
 
 
 
MSc in Engineering
University of Bradford
Sep 2013 - Dec 2014 Bradford, UK
Advanced training in engineering analysis, numerical methods, and computational modelling.
 
 
 
 
 
BEng in Civil Engineering
Chongqing University
Sep 2009 - Jun 2013 Chongqing, China
Foundation in structural analysis, mechanics, and engineering computation, following an internal transfer from Management studies in 2009.
 
 
 
 
 
Transferred major
Undergraduate Study in Management
Chongqing University
2008 - 2009 Chongqing, China
Initial bachelor's study before transferring internally to Civil Engineering.

Selected Publications

Representative journal and conference publications. A fuller record is available in the CV.

Selected Journal Articles
  1. Reliability-based lifetime fatigue damage assessment of offshore composite wind turbine blades C. Zhang, H. P. Chen, K. F. Tee, and D. Liang. Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2021.
  2. Fatigue damage assessment of wind turbine composite blades using corrected blade element momentum theory C. Zhang, H. P. Chen, and T. L. Huang. Measurement, 2018.
  3. Stochastic modelling fatigue crack evolution and optimum maintenance strategy for composite blades of wind turbines H. P. Chen, C. Zhang, and T. L. Huang. Structural Engineering and Mechanics, 2017.
Selected Conference Papers
  1. Numerical study of the acoustophoretic separation of circulating tumor cells C. Zhang, J. Dong, and D. Liang. 15th International Conference on Hydrodynamics, Rome, 2024.
  2. Improvement measures for structure system conversions caused by utilizing SPMTs to lift trusses Z. Wen, J. Zhou, J. Dong, and C. Zhang. International Conference on Civil Engineering, 2021.
  3. Probabilistic deterioration modelling of fatigue cracking in wind turbine blades C. Zhang, H. P. Chen, and T. L. Huang. SHMII 2019, St. Louis, 2019.
  4. Application of gamma process and maintenance cost for fatigue damage of wind turbine blade C. Zhang and K. F. Tee. Energy Procedia, 2018.
View Full CV Research Centre Profile

Teaching & Supervision

Representative Teaching
  • Mathematics and Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers
  • Programming and Control
  • Advanced analytics and data-driven engineering topics
Supervision Interests
  • Digital engineering and digital transformation
  • AI for simulation and intelligent engineering systems
  • Reliability, PHM, and digital twin technologies
Approach

Teaching and supervision connect theory, computation, and application, with emphasis on modelling, coding, simulation workflows, and research problems grounded in real engineering systems.

Awards

2023

Hundred Talents Program, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This award marks the transition into the current phase of academic work at CIOMP and UCAS.