Xiaojia Shelly Zhang Uiuc

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Xiaojia Shelly Zhang is an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana‘Champaign (UIUC), known for her pioneering work in topology optimization, additive manufacturing, and programmable materials. As a faculty member jointly appointed in civil and environmental engineering and mechanical science and engineering, she leads the MISSION Lab, which focuses on designing multifunctional materials, resilient structures, and soft robotic systems using advanced simulation, machine learning, and fabrication techniques. Her career is marked by prestigious awards and an expanding global research footprint.

Academic Background and Professional Appointments

Dr. Zhang earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from UIUC before completing her Ph.D. in structural engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2018, where she specialized in topology optimization contentReference[oaicite0]. After returning to UIUC, she joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and also holds affiliate roles in Mechanical Science and Engineering and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) contentReference[oaicite1].

Awards and Honors

  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2021)
  • DARPA Young Faculty Award (2022)
  • AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award (YIP, 2023)
  • ASME Thomas J. R. Hughes Young Investigator Award
  • ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics Award
  • ASCE EMI Leonardo da Vinci Award
  • David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar at UIUC

These accolades reflect her contributions to structural optimization, metamaterials, and sustainable engineering design contentReference[oaicite2].

MISSION Laboratory Vision and Research Focus

Dr. Zhang’s research is focused on integrating topology optimization with additive manufacturing and data-driven methods to create new classes of materials and structures. Her group, known as the MISSION (MuIti‘functional Structures and Systems desIgn OptimizatioN) Lab, works on several innovative directions

  • Multi-material and multimodal topology optimization
  • Stochastic and machine learning algorithms for uncertainty quantification
  • Additive manufacturing and 3D/4D printing techniques
  • Design of programmable, resilient structures and metamaterials

The lab tackles applications ranging from large‘scale civil infrastructure to bio‘inspired soft materials and robotic systems contentReference[oaicite3].

Recent Key Publications

  • A comparative study on stress‘constrained vs fracture‘based topology optimization (2025) contentReference[oaicite4]
  • Direct ink writing of magnetic soft materials with optimized printing paths (2025) contentReference[oaicite5]
  • Topology optimization of magnetic materials with continuous magnetization orientations (2024) contentReference[oaicite6]
  • Irregular architected materials for optimal tissue support in biomedical structures (2024) contentReference[oaicite7]

Teaching and Mentorship

At UIUC, Dr. Zhang is involved in both undergraduate and graduate teaching, advising students in computational mechanics, structural analysis, and design optimization. She mentors Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers working in topics like computational morphogenesis, machine‘learning guided optimization, and experimental validation via 3D printed structures contentReference[oaicite8].

Professional Service and Editorial Roles

Dr. Zhang serves on the executive committee of the International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO). She is also a review editor for the journal Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization and an associate editor for the Journal of Applied Mechanics. Additionally, she has served as guest editor for special issues in several engineering journals contentReference[oaicite9].

Community Engagement

  • Organized women’s networking events for ISSMO
  • Led outreach programs including UIUC STEM ambassador and K‘12 engagement camps
  • Collaborated on University‘wide initiatives like UIUC‘Carle PPE design projects during COVID‘19

Impact and Vision for the Future

Dr. Zhang’s work bridges fundamental research in structural optimization with real-world applications. Whether optimizing civil structures, designing soft robots, or engineering bio‘inspired metamaterials, her goal is to deliver sustainable, multifunctional solutions by blending simulation, advanced fabrication, and machine learning. Her lab remains open to self‘motivated students interested in pushing the boundaries of resilient and responsive structural systems contentReference[oaicite10].

Xiaojia Shelly Zhang is a rising leader in structural and civil engineering, combining deep expertise in topology optimization with practical insights into additive manufacturing and programmable materials. Her interdisciplinary approach and research leadership at UIUC’s MISSION Lab position her as a key figure in the design of future smart materials and sustainable infrastructures. With a growing portfolio of awards, publications, and mentoring opportunities, Dr. Zhang continues to inspire innovation and excellence in engineering research and education.