Student Bio: Xiaojia Zhang

Education

Graduate
	Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering	May 2014 - present
	School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	Georgia Institute of Technology

	Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering Option	Aug 2012 - May 2014
	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
*Undergraduate*
	Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Minor in Business	Aug 2008 - May 2012
	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Research Interests

Structural Topology Optimization

Applying stochastic sampling techniques to randomized topology optimization
Applying discrete filter to truss topology optimization using the ground structure method
Investigating material and geometric nonlinear behaviors of truss topology optimization using ground structure and density-based methods
Investigating truss topology design focused on pre-processing phase of Voronoi-based ground structure generation and its implications on the optimization process.

Publications

Journal Publications
	“Stochastic Sampling for Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases: Density-Based and Ground Structure Approaches.” X. Zhang, E. de Sturler, G. H. Paulino. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Under review.
	“A Discrete Filtering Scheme for Material Nonlinear Topology Design using the Ground Structure Method.” X. Zhang, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Under review.
	“Macroelement and Macropatch Approaches for Structural Topology Optimization using a Ground Structure Method.” X. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Available Online. DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001524.
Invited Lectures
	“Stochastic Sampling for Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load cases.” Laboratory of Scientific Computing and Visualization (LCCV), Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, AL, Brazil. July 20, 2016
	“Topology Optimization of Trusses Using the Ground Structure Method: New Techniques for Ground Structure Generation and Topology Resolution Control.” Laboratory of Scientific Computing and Visualization (LCCV), Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, AL, Brazil. July 22, 2015
Conference Presentations and Proceedings
	“A Discrete Filter Scheme for Material Nonlinear Topology Design using the Ground Structure Method.” X. Zhang, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2016, May 2016.
	“Topology design of trusses using a Voronoi-based ground structure method.” X. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. 10th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, May 2013.

Academic Appointments and Professional Experience

Graduate Research Assistant		Jan 2015 - present
	School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	Georgia Institute of Technology
*Structural Engineering Internship*		July 2014 - Aug 2014
	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Chicago, IL
Graduate Teaching Assistant		Aug 2014 – Dec 2014
	1. CEE300 - Behavior of Materials
	2. CEE201 - Systems Engineering and Economics
	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Teaching Assistant		Jan 2014 – May 2014
	CEE570 - Finite Element Methods
	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Teaching Assistant		Aug 2013 – Dec 2013
	CEE360 - Structural Engineering
	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
*Topology Optimization Ph.D. Advanced School Participant*		June 2013 - July 2013
	Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
*Computer Lab Consultant*		Aug 2010 – Feb 2013
	Engineering IT Shared Services
	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
*Structures Analysis Internship*		May 2011– Aug 2011
	Sunshine 100 Real Estate Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
*Field Construction Engineer Internship*		May 2010 – July 2010
	Beijing Huajian Youlian Information Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China

Awards and Honors

Teachers ranked as excellent by their students, Center for Teaching Excellence at UIUC	Fall 2014
Leadership Certificate, Leadership Certificate Program of UIUC	2014
James Scholar, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC	2008 - 2012
Dean’s List, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC	2008 - 2012

Leadership and Community Activities

*Founder of the Chinese Engineering Student Association*		Jan 2011 - present
	Organized mentoring program for engineering students and professionals on Campus. Advised young engineering students in both academic and living aspects
	Chinese Engineering Student Association of UIUC