PI: Yuhao Zhong (钟毓豪)
Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech
[yuhao at vt dot edu] [Google Scholar] [Linkedin]
Our lab focuses on advancing data science methods and harnessing sensors, machines, and human capabilities to address fundamental challenges in quality, safety, and performance assurance, and to facilitate scientific discovery—primarily in manufacturing processes and systems, and more broadly in Industry 4.0 and 5.0 contexts.
We are actively recruiting self-motivated students to join our research team. Interested students should email their CV and research interests/goals to [email protected]. A background in statistical/deep learning, advanced manufacturing, robotics, sensing, or applied mathematics is preferred.
Current Research Areas
- Explainable AI, generative AI, computer vision, and statistical methods
- Anomaly detection and prognostics
- Process-microstructure-property modeling, discovery, and control for quality assurance
- Performance and safety assurance in human-robot/AI collaboration
Latest News
- 07/2026 - [Award] Our research on AI-driven Microstructure Engineering, with Co-PI Dr. Ji Ma (University of Virginia), has received support from the 4-VA Collaborative Research Grant. We sincerely appreciate the support and collaboration!
- 04/2026 - [Award] We thank the VT SEC for supporting our robotic 3D printing project through the Big Contribution grant!
- 03/2026 - [Award] Dr. Zhong’s Ph.D. dissertation received Second Place in the IISE Pritsker Doctoral Dissertation Award.
- 12/2025 - [Talk] Guest Lecture on "Explainable AI‑Driven Quality Assurance" at VT-ISE5204 Manufacturing Systems Engineering.
- 09/2025 - [Talk] Dr. Zhong presented our lab’s research on "Towards AI‑enabled Human‑centric Smart Manufacturing" at the VT-ENGR 1014 Undergraduate Seminar Series.
Selected Awards
- IISE Pritsker Doctoral Dissertation Award Second Place, 2026
- Outstanding Paper Award in Manufacturing Processes, North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC), 2025
- U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship, 2024
- Fox Graduate Fellowship, 2024
- Texas A&M Institute of Data Science (TAMIDS) Student Ambassadorship, 2023 & 2024
- Winner, IISE Data Analytics & Information Systems (DAIS) Student Best Paper Contest, 2023