Dr. Zhou (Joe) Zhang is an Assistant Professor at SUNY Farmingdale State College. Prior to this, he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and the Ph.D. Program of Computational and Data Science at Middle Tennessee State University from August 2022 to August 2024. From August 2017 to August 2022, Dr. Zhang was an Assistant Professor at the CUNY New York City College of Technology.
He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology, where his research focused on leveraging robotics and virtual reality to advance engineering education. Dr. Zhang also holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Southeast University and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southwest Jiaotong University.
With over seven years of industrial experience as both an electrical and mechanical engineer, Dr. Zhang brings significant practical expertise to his academic work. His teaching and research emphasize interdisciplinary approaches that seamlessly integrate Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, fostering a rich and comprehensive learning experience for students across these fields.
He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology, where his research focused on leveraging robotics and virtual reality to advance engineering education. Dr. Zhang also holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Southeast University and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southwest Jiaotong University.
With over seven years of industrial experience as both an electrical and mechanical engineer, Dr. Zhang brings significant practical expertise to his academic work. His teaching and research emphasize interdisciplinary approaches that seamlessly integrate Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, fostering a rich and comprehensive learning experience for students across these fields.
Latest Publications
Journal publications:
- Zhang, Z.*, and Ryn, Y, Li, W., and Wang, J., 2026, “Hybrid ai-quantum computational framework for efficient eddy current repulsion force simulation”, "International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering" (RIMNI), Accepted.
- Zhang, Z.*, and Ali, M., 2026, “Advancing virtual lab immersion through YOLO-powered gesture recognition in natural HCI”, ASEE Computers in Education Journal, Accepted.
- Ali, M., and Zhang, Z.*, 2024, “The YOLO framework: a comprehensive review of evolution, applications, and benchmarks in object detection”, Computers, Vol. 13, No. 12: 336.
Conference publications:
- Zhang, Z.*, Restrepo, J., Li, W., Yeong, R., and Hung, Y., 2025, “From research to coursework: an apprenticeship approach to implementing YOLO and MediaPipe for engagement scoring”, ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Conference, Presented.
- Li, W., Hung, Y., Zhang, Z., and Yu, N., 2025, “Incorporating Machine Learning into the MET Curriculum”, ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Conference, Presented.
- Zhang, Z.*, Li, W., Shirvani, K., Hung, Y., Chang, Y., & Esche, S., 2025, “Flipped Classroom and Collaborative Learning in Tool Design Education for Mechanical Engineering Technology”, 2025 ASEE Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada, June 22-25, 2025.
- Li, W., Hung, Y., Aultuger-Genc, G., Zhang, S., Tatoglu, A., & Zhang, Z., 2025, “Integrating AI/ML Learning in Senior Projects for Mechanical Engineering Technology Students”, 2025 ASEE Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada, June 22-25, 2025.
- Zhang, Z.*, & Chang, Y., 2024, “Leveraging Generative AI to enhance engineering education at both low-level and high-level study”, ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Conference, Farmingdale, NY, USA, October 25-26, 2024.
- Ali, M., and Zhang, Z.*, 2024, “Natural human-computer interface based on gesture recognition with YOLO to enhance virtual lab users’ immersive feeling”, ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon, USA, June 23-26, 2024.
Courses Taught
| MET117 | Manufacturing Processes |
MET 207 Tool Design
MET 406 Electronic Packaging Applications
MET 410W Senior Project
MET 417 Automation and Control Systems
Education
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering (Virtual Reality and Robotics in Engineering Education), Stevens Institute of Technology, 2017 – Summa cum Laude
- Master, Electrical Engineering (Power Electronics), Southeast University, 2009
- Bachelor, Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, 1999 – Summa cum Laude
Certificates & Licensures
- Certificate in Effective College Instruction, The Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education, 05/01/2021
Awards & Honors
- Honored Listee badge from Marquis Who’s Who, 2025.
- "Best Researcher Award" under the "International Research Awards on Computer Vision"., 2025.
