Computational Optimization and Smart Systems Lab

• Dr. Zhu received the UH GEAR grant to develop a mechatronics device for interoperative surgical planning through collaobration with Dr. Merchant and Dr. Gregory Reece (MD Anderson Cancer Center) in March 2023.
• Dr. Zhu received the EPA grant “Demonstrating the Nurtient Removal in Urban-dominated Watersheds using Floating Macrophytes” (PI. Dr. Balan, Co-PI, Drs. Zhu and Shan) through collaboration with PVAMU (Drs. Ray and Neelgund) and ODU (Dr. Kumar) in March 2023.
• Dr. Zhu received the UH infrastructure grant “Large-Scale Testbed at UH Sugarland Campus for Promoting Biotechnology Research” (PI. Dr. Balan, Co-PI, Drs. Zhu and Benhaddou) in January 2023
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF grant #2220683 “Industries of the Future Research Experience for Preservice Teachers in STEM Settings” (PI Dr. Zhu, with Drs. Evans, Balan, Benhaddou, L. Fan, G. Song, T. Greer, and Ms. Mateer) in July 2022;
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF grant #2141674 “3D Printing Integrated Engineering Design Education for Preservice STEM Teachers” (PI Dr. Zhu, co-PI Drs. Manuel and Evans) in July 2022;
• Dr. Zhu received the USDA grant #13424031 “Developing Automated Robotic System for Mushroom Harvesting” (PI Dr. Zhu, co-PI Drs. Benhaddou, Balan, and Merchant) in July 2022;
• Dr. Zhu was granted NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) University Ambassadorship in Feb 2022;
• Dr. Zhu was promoted to Full Professor in May 2021 at University of Houston;
• Dr. Zhu received the USDA grant #13111855 “IOT Based Smart Automated Mushroom Production System” (PI Dr. Balan, co-PI Drs. Benhaddou and Zhu) in May 2021;
• Dr. Zhu received the subaward grant from ABS/LU Maritime Safety Research in June 2020;
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF grant #1950036: tH-ACCESS Noyce Program in Mar 2020 (PI: Dr. Evans);
• Dr. Zhu received the Advanced Manufacturing Institute grant with PI Dr. Yu (ME) (Phase II) in Feb, 2020;
• Dr. Zhu received a NASEM grant #200011064 on Offshore Safety through collaborating with ABS (PD: Dr. McSweeney) and LU in Jan 2020;
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF grant #1855147: UH EEC-RET Site Program in Sept 2019;
• Dr. Zhu received the subaward grant from ABS/LU Maritime Safety Research in Aug 2019;
• Dr. Zhu received the Advanced Manufacturing Institute grant with PI Dr. Yu (ME) (Phase I) in Feb, 2019;
• Dr. Zhu joined University of Houston as a tenured Associate Professor in Aug 2018

• Dr. Zhu was selected as University Scholar 2018, the highest research award at Lamar University;
• Dr. Zhu was promoted to Full Professor in May 2018 at Lamar University;
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF grant #1608886: LU EEC-RET Site Program;
• Dr. Zhu received three grants from Office of Undergraduate Research, Lamar University;
• Dr. Zhu received two grants from Gill Foundation about 3D Printing and Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality;
• Dr. Zhu received two grants from Center of Advances in Port Management;
• Dr. Zhu received the NSF Grant #1457880: SCOPE Scholarship Program;
• Dr. Zhu was selected as Distinguished Faculty Fellow 2015-2018 term at Lamar University (LU);
• Dr. Zhu served in 15 NSF panels since 2008 and 5 NIH panels since 2012;
• Surgical simulator developed by Dr Zhu with mySmartSim Inc.
• Dr. Zhu received the University Merit Award 2009 at Lamar University

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