Fan Zhang

Ph.D. Candidate in Robotics & Safe Control | NSF I-Corps National Entrepreneurial Lead | Seeking Full-Time Roles

Houston, Texas, United States

About

As a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering focusing on robotics and safe control, I am passionate about building safety-critical systems that thrive in highly uncertain real-world environments. My core expertise lies in advanced disturbance rejection and robust control, specifically leveraging Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) and Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) to ensure deterministic safety in complex dynamic systems. Beyond the lab, I am highly driven by the commercialization of deep-tech. I am currently serving as the Entrepreneurial Lead for an NSF I-Corps National team, translating theoretical control frameworks into scalable, real-time embedded solutions for intelligent mobility and industrial autonomy. As I approach my graduation, I am actively seeking full-time roles in the robotics and autonomous systems sectors. I am drawn to the dynamic, product-driven environment of the tech industry, looking for opportunities to bring my technical expertise to highly stable and impactful commercial projects.

Experience

  • Research Assistant at University of Houston
    Aug 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Visiting PHD Student at Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute
    Jun 2024 - Aug 2024 · 3 mos

  • Research Assistant at Cleveland State University
    Aug 2022 - Jul 2024 · 2 yrs

  • Iowa State University (Part-time · 2 yrs 10 mos)
    • Research Assistant
      Sep 2021 - May 2022 · 9 mos

    • Teaching Assistant
      Aug 2019 - May 2022 · 2 yrs 10 mos

  • System Engineer intern at AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collions Avonics Company
    Feb 2019 - May 2019 · 4 mos

    Ran verification test procedure for Integrated Surveillance System provided to Commercial Aircraft Corporation,C919, wrote and modified VTP documents • Programmed in C# to update functions of AFDX sniffer tool developed to capture, view raw data from A664 network, analyzed data packet and converted to readable data format.