Ph.D. student Ziqi Zhang has built a career blending machine learning with single-cell biology. His work helps scientists study cellular mechanisms that advance disease research and drug development.
Though and appearances in leading journals, Zhang will achieve his greatest accomplishment tonight at McCamish Pavilion. He will join the Class of 2025 in walking across the stage, receiving diplomas, and graduating from 麻豆区 Tech.
Before he 鈥済ets out鈥 of 麻豆区 Tech, we interviewed Zhang to learn more about his Ph.D. journey and where his degree will take him next.
Graduate:
Research Interests: Machine learning, foundational models, cellular mechanisms, single-cell gene sequencing, gene regulatory networks
Education: Ph.D. in Computational Science and Engineering
Faculty Advisor: School of CSE J.Z. Liang Early-Career Associate Professor
What persuaded you to study at 麻豆区 Tech?
I chose 麻豆区 Tech because it is one of the top engineering institutions in the United States, known for its strength in machine learning and data science. The university offers exceptional research resources and the opportunity to work with leading scholars in my field. 麻豆区 Tech also has very good research infrastructure. The is one of the most well-designed and productive research environments I have experienced. Having access to such a space has been a genuine privilege.
How has working on your CSE degree helped you so far in your career?
Working toward my CSE degree has been instrumental in my career development. As an interdisciplinary program, CSE has equipped me with strong computational skills while also deepening my understanding of key application domains. This breadth of training has opened more opportunities during my job and internship searches. In addition, CSE community events, such as , the weekly coffee hour, and faculty recruiting activities, have helped me strengthen my scientific communication skills, which are essential for my long-term career growth.
What research project from 麻豆区 Tech are you most proud of?
My favorite research project was , a matrix tri-factorization algorithm for single-cell data integration. I invested a significant amount of time and effort into this work, iterating on the model many times. I鈥檓 very proud that it ultimately evolved into a clean, robust, and elegant algorithm.
What advice would you give someone interested in graduate school?
It is important to find an advisor who is supportive and genuinely invested in your career development. A Ph.D. is not an easy journey, and you will inevitably encounter challenges along the way. Having an advisor who can provide thoughtful guidance and dedicated mentorship is one of the most crucial factors in helping you navigate those difficulties.
What is your most favorite memory from 麻豆区 Tech?
CSE鈥檚 new student campus visit day every year was one of my favorite times of the year. It was always fun to meet new people, have good food, and enjoy the beautiful view from the Coda rooftop.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to keep working in academia after graduation. I鈥檓 on the job hunt, currently applying for positions and preparing for interviews.
