Curriculum Vitae
Last updated: April 2025
Education
- PhD Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
- Spring 2024 - present
- Advisor: Dr. Houtan Jebelli
- GPA: 3.87/4.00
- Robotic, Automation, and Intelligent Sensing (RAISe) Lab
- Graduate Fellow, Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Fall 2023
- University Graduate Fellowship
- Master of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- 2019 - 2021
- Research fields: Robotic Construction, 3D Printing, Computational Design
- GPA: 3.97/4.00
- Bachelor of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- 2014 - 2019
- Research fields: Computational Design
- GPA: 3.85/4.00
- Undergraduate Study, Department of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- 2013 - 2014
Research Interests
- AI and machine learning algorithms for seamless human-robot collaboration
- Computer vision techniques for automated inspection tasks
- Construction robotics
- Robotic control and navigation
- Digital architecture and robotic construction
- Computational design and 3D printing
Academic Experiences
- Robotic Construction Safety Training Prototype with Immersive Technology (VR), Fall 2023
- Graduate Student Course, Icon Lab, Penn State University
Role: Team Leader Supervisor: Professor John Messner - Connected ROS (Robot Operating System) with Unity 3D to control robot arm mounted UGV in immersive simulation environments
- Developed an interactive, game-based prototype for collision-avoidance safety training
- Robotic Construction Research Series, Sep. 2022 - Apr. 2023
- Master’s Thesis Research, Robotic Construction Group, Tsinghua University
Role: Teaching Assistant PI: Professor Weiguo Xu - Advising master students with graduation projects related to robotic construction
- Digital Architecture and Robotic Construction Research, Jul. 2021 - Apr. 2023
- DAIC (Digital Architecture and Robotic Construction) Lab, Tsinghua University
Role: Research Assistant PI: Professor Weiguo Xu - Extracted design information to program and control robot arms for large-scale 3D printing
- Developed software plug-ins for robotic construction
- Large-Scale Multi-Robots 3D Printing Construction Planning, Spring 2021
Master’s Thesis and Graduation Design Instructor: Professor Weiguo Xu - Tsinghua University
- Research on the Spatial Cognitive Characteristics of Traditional Villages Based on VR Technology, 2016 – 2017
- Built Environmental Virtual Reality Lab, Tianjin University
Role: Student Assistant Instructor: Professor Sinan Yuan - Sponsor: National Natural Science Foundation
Professional Experiences
- Research Engineer, Institute of Future Human Habitats, Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)
- 2021 - 2023
- Developed large-scale robotic construction technology based on composite consumables and practical building materials
- Developed software interface to streamline input and control
- Robotic Construction Designer, Heqing Digital Building Technology Co.
- 2020 - Apr. 2023
- Participated in several on-site robotic construction projects in China and the US
- Intern Architect, Zaha Hadid Architects
- Jun. - Sept. 2020
- Project Director: Satoshi Ohashi
- Participated in design stage of final winning bid-competition - design of Tower C of Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters
- Intern Architect, China Architecture Design & Research Institute
- Jun. - Sept. 2018
- Project Director: Professor Xinggang Li
- Participated in design of the National Sliding Center in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games
Teaching Experience
[Or manually list teaching experiences if not using the teaching collection]
Publications
Understanding the Impact of an Exoskeleton System On Metabolic Cost of Workers During Common Repetitive Construction Tasks
Ojha, A., Gautam, Y., Zhao, X., Sharifironizi, A., Jebelli, H., and Martin, A. (2024). "Understanding the Impact of an Exoskeleton System On Metabolic Cost of Workers During Common Repetitive Construction Tasks." 2024 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (Accepted).
Improving Heat Strain Prediction in Construction Workers: A Transfer Learning Approach to Overcome Variability Challenges
Ojha, A., Zhao, X., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., and Jebelli, H. (2024). "Improving Heat Strain Prediction in Construction Workers: A Transfer Learning Approach to Overcome Variability Challenges." 2024 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (Accepted).
Grounding Large Language Models in Robot Control: Facilitating Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction
Zhao, X., and Jebelli, H. (2024). "Grounding Large Language Models in Robot Control: Facilitating Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction." 2024 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (Accepted).
Adaptive Intelligence for Robot Navigation Efficiency with a Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Cyber-Physical System
Zhao, X., Ren, T., and Jebelli, H. (2024). "Adaptive Intelligence for Robot Navigation Efficiency with a Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Cyber-Physical System." 2024 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (Accepted).
A Computational Method for Real-time Roof Defect Segmentation in Robotic Inspection
Zhao, X. and Jebelli, H. (2024). "RRD-SegNet: A Computational Method for Real-time Roof Defect Segmentation in Robotic Inspection." Computer‐Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. (Journal Under Review).
Reusable Assembled Lightweight 3D Concrete Printed Components Based on Tessellation Patterns
Zhao, X., Xu, Z., Xu, W. (2023). "Reusable Assembled Lightweight 3D Concrete Printed Components Based on Tessellation Patterns." IASS Symposium 2023. (Abstract Accepted).
Porous Space — Biomimetic of Tafoni in Computational Design
Ye, W., Chen, S., Zhao, X., Xu, W. (2022). "Porous Space — Biomimetic of Tafoni in Computational Design." Architectural Intelligence, 18 (2022).
Simulation Algorithm Based on Weathered Rock Morphology and Optimization Algorithm for Design Applications
Ye, W., Zhao, X., Xu, W. (2022). "Simulation Algorithm Based on Weathered Rock Morphology and Optimization Algorithm for Design Applications." in Hybrid Intelligence: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2022). Online and Global, 2022.
Research Progress and Application Status of 3D Printing Construction Technology
Zhao, X., Xu, W. (2021). "Research Progress and Application Status of 3D Printing Construction Technology." Chinese & Overseas Architecture, 10(2021):7-13.
You can also find my publications on Google Scholar.
Talks and Presentations
Conference Proceeding talk 3 on Relevant Topic in Your Field
Conference proceedings talk at Testing Institute of America 2014 Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Talk 2 on Relevant Topic in Your Field
Talk at London School of Testing, London, UK
Tutorial 1 on Relevant Topic in Your Field
Tutorial at UC-Berkeley Institute for Testing Science, Berkeley, CA, USA
Talk 1 on Relevant Topic in Your Field
Talk at UC San Francisco, Department of Testing, San Francisco, CA, USA
[Or manually list talks/presentations if not using the talks collection]
Skills
Computer Skills
Robot Programming/OS: ROS, Industrial Robot Language (URScript), C#
Programming: Matlab, Python, R, C++
Simulation Software: Unity, Unreal Engine
Statistical Analysis Software: IBM-SPSS
Drawing and Building Information Modeling: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Sketch-Up, SolidWorks, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
General Software/Platform: MS-Office, Latex, Google Colab, Jupyter Notebook
Languages
- English: Professional proficiency
- Chinese: Native
Awards and Honors
Academic Scholarships
- University Graduate Fellowship, Pennsylvania State University (2023)
- College of Engineering Scholarship, College of Engineering, PSU (2023)
- China National Scholarship (1/101) (2018)
- China National Scholarship (1/97) (2016)
- China National Scholarship (1/94) (2015)
- Sponsor: Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China
Academic Awards
- Outstanding Graduate Award (2019)
- Outstanding Graduation Design Award (2019)
- Tianjin University’s Outstanding Student Award (1/1000) (2019)
- Outstanding Project Assignment in National Higher Education Institutions (2017)
- Honorable Mention - Skyscraper Competition (eVolo) (2018)
- China Architecture Newcomers Competition – Top 100 Award (2017)
- 4th National Tournament of Green Building Innovation – First Prize (2015)
- Sponsor: The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Leadership and Activities
- Student Member, The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Fall 2023 – present
- Team Leader, Data Forum Center, Tsinghua University Student Union, Fall 2020
- Activity Manager, Sports Department of Graduate Student Union, Tsinghua University, Fall 2019
- Event Organizer, Purple (LGBTQ+ Community), Tsinghua University
- Team Member, Women’s Soccer Team, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, 2019 - 2020
Exhibitions and Invited Speeches
- Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2022, Apr. 2022 – Jan. 2023
- Title: Assembled 3D Printed Concrete Urban Miniature Garden
Role: Lead Exhibit Designer Kingway Brewery, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Design as Solution: Shenzhen Design Week 2021, Dec. 2021
- Title: Robotic 3D Printed Concrete Construction Works
Role: Keynote Speaker & Lead Exhibit Designer UpperHills, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Future-Home: Beijing Urban Architecture Biennale 2021, Oct. 2021
Role: Exhibit Designer Zhangjiawan Design Town, Beijing Urban Vice Center
References
Available upon request.