X. Shelly Zhang

For More Information

• Research Group Website (MISSION Laboratory)

Education

• Ph.D., Structural Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. December 2018
• M.S., Structural Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. May 2014
• B.S., Civil Engineering (with honors), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. May 2012

Biography

Dr. Xiaojia Shelly Zhang is a David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds affiliate appointments at the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Dr. Zhang directs the MISSION (MuIti-functional Structures and Systems desIgn OptimizatioN) Laboratory. She holds a B.S. (Honors) degree in Civil Engineering (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign), an M.S. degree in Structural Engineering (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign) with Computational Science and Engineering Diploma, and a Ph.D. degree in Structural Engineering (Georgia Tech).

Dr. Zhang received both the department-level (2018) and institution-level (2019) Best Ph.D. Thesis Awards and a faculty fellowship from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) in 2019. She is the recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics Award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA), the AFOSR Young Investigator (YIP) Award, the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, the DARPA Director's Fellowship, and the ASCE EMI Leonardo da Vinci Award.

Dr. Zhang serves on the Executive Committee of the International Society of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO) and is a Review Editor for the Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Mechanics. Her research interests are in the general areas of topology optimization, additive manufacturing, data-driven models, multi-scale materials and structures, 3D/4D printing, and uncertainty quantification. Her research group focuses on exploring multi-physics topology optimization, stochastic and machine learning algorithms, and additive manufacturing to develop multi-functional, sustainable, and innovative civil structures, robots, and metamaterials for applications at different scales, from as large as high-rise buildings to as small as material microstructures. Her research has been supported by NSF, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO.

Academic Positions

• David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2023 - present
• Faculty Scholar, Office of Risk Management & Insurance Research (ORMIR), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2022 - 2023
• Faculty Affiliate (0%), Computational Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2020 - present
• Faculty Fellow (0%), National Center of Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2019 - present
• Faculty Affiliate (0%), Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2019 - present
• Assistant Professor (100%), Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2019 - present

Research Interests

• Design optimize, simulate, and fabrication of multifunctional, resilient, and intelligent engineering structures and materials
• Soft active materials with programmable behaviors
• Tough and damage-resilient materials and structures
• Topology optimization informed civil structures innovations
• Multi-scale lattice design for resilient and lightweight metamaterials and structures
• Bridging topology optimization and additive manufacturing
• Robust design optimization under uncertainty through stochastic programming
• Theoretical and algorithmic development of topology optimization to handle multi-objective and multi-constraints

Selected Articles in Journals

• Z. Zhao#, R. D. Kundu#, O. Sigmund, X. S. Zhang*. "Extreme nonlinearity by layered materials through inverse design". # Equally contributing authors. Science Advances. In Press. 2025.
• Y. Jia, R. D. Kundu, X. S. Zhang*. "Stress-constrained versus fracture-based topology optimization: A comparative study". Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 441, pp. 117949. 2025.
• C. Wang, Z. Zhao, Z. Li, Y. Jia, A. A. Sharma, X. S. Zhang*. "Direct Ink Writing of Magnetic Soft Materials with Optimal Printing Path". Additive Manufacturing. Vol. 104770. 2025.
• Y. Jia, W. Li, X. S. Zhang*. "Multimaterial topology optimization of elastoplastic composite structures". Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Vol. 196, pp. 106018. 2025.
• R. D. Kundu, X. S. Zhang*. "Sustainability-oriented multimaterial topology optimization: designing efficient structures incorporating environmental effects". Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 68, No. 1, pp. 1-20. 2025.
• Y. Jia, K. Liu*, X. S. Zhang*. "Modulate stress distribution with bio-inspired irregular architected materials towards optimal tissue support". Nature Communications. Vol. 15, pp. 4072. 2024.
• C. Wang, Z. Zhao, J. Han, A. A. Sharma, H. Wang, X. S. Zhang*. "Wireless Magnetic Robot for Precise Hierarchical Control of Tissue Deformation". Advanced Science. Vol. 2308619. 2024.
• Y. Jia, K. Liu, X.S. Zhang*. "Unstructured growth of irregular architectures for optimized metastructures". Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Vol. 192. 2024.
• W. Li , O. Sigmund, X. S. Zhang*. "Analytical realization of complex thermal meta-devices". Nature Communications. Vol. 15, pp. 5527. 2024.
• Z. Zhao, C. Wang, X. S. Zhang*. "Multiphysics topology optimization of magnetic materials with continuous magnetization orientations". Mechanics of Materials. Vol. 198. 2024.
• W. Li, X. S. Zhang*. "Computational morphogenesis for liquid crystal elastomer metamaterial". npj Computational Materials. Vol. 10, 125. 2024.
• Y. Jia, C. Wang, X.S. Zhang*. "FEniTop: A simple FEniCSx implementation for 2D and 3D topology optimization supporting parallel computing". Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 67, No. 8, pp. 1-39. 2024.
• Y. Jia, Ke Liu, X. S. Zhang*. "Topology optimization of irregular multiscale structures with tunable responses using a virtual growth rule". Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 425, pp. 116864. 2024.
• W. Li, Y. Wang, T. Chen*, X. S. Zhang*. "Algorithmic encoding of adaptive responses in temperature-sensing multi-material architectures". Science Advances. Vol. 9, No. 47, pp. eadk0620. 2023.
• W. Li, X. S. Zhang*. "Arbitrary curvature programming of thermo-active liquid crystal elastomer via computational morphogenesis". Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 417, pp. 116393. 2023.
• R. D. Kundu and X. S. Zhang*. "Additive manufacturing of stiff and strong structures by leveraging printing-induced strength anisotropy in topology optimization". Additive Manufacturing. Vol. 75, pp. 103730. 2023.
• Z. Zhao, C. Wang, X. S. Zhang*. "Tuning buckling behaviors in magnetically active structures: topology optimization and experimental validation". Journal of Applied Mechanics. Vol. 90, No. 9, pp. 091006. 2023.
• C. Wang, Z. Zhao, X. S. Zhang*. "Inverse Design of Magneto-active Metasurfaces and Robots: Theory, Computation, and Experimental Validation". Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 413, pp. 116065. 2023.
• R. D. Kundu and X. S. Zhang*. "Stress-based topology optimization for fiber composites with improved stiffness and strength: integrating anisotropic and isotropic materials". Composite Structures. Vol. 320, pp. 117041. 2023.
• Z. Zhao and X. S. Zhang*. "Encoding reprogrammable properties into magneto-mechanical materials via topology optimization." npj Computational Materials. Vol. 9, No. 57. 2023.
• W. Li, Y. Jia, F. Wang, O. Sigmund, X. S. Zhang*. "Programming and physical realization of extreme three-dimensional responses of metastructures under large deformations". International Journal of Engineering Science. Vol. 191, pp. 103881. 2023.
• Y. Jia, O. Lopez-Pamies, and X. S. Zhang*. "Multi-objective Topology Optimization for Improved Fracture Properties: Harnessing Fracture Nucleation and Propagation in Heterogeneous Geometries." Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Vol. 173, pp. 105227. 2023.
• W. Li, F. Wang, O. Sigmund, X. S. Zhang*. "Digital synthesis of free-form multimaterial structures for realization of arbitrary programmed mechanical responses". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). Vol. 119, No. 10, pp. e2120563119, 2022.
• R. Kundu, W. Li, and X. S. Zhang*. "Multimaterial stress-constrained topology optimization with multiple distinct yield criteria." Extreme Mechanics Letters. Vol. 54, pp. 101716, 2022.
• Z. Zhao and X. S. Zhang*. "Topology optimization of hard-magnetic soft materials." Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Vol. 158, pp. 104628, 2022
• Z. Zhi and X. S. Zhang*, "Additive manufacturing of topology optimized graded porous structures: An experimental study." The Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (JOM), SI: Leveraging Materials in Topology Optimization. Vol. 73, pp. 2022–2030, 2021.
• Z. Zhao, X. S. Zhang*. “Design of graded porous bone-like structures via a multi-material topology optimization approach.” Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 64, pp. 677–698, 2021.
• W. Li, F. Wang, O. Sigmund, X. S. Zhang*. “Design of composite structures with programmable elastic responses under finite deformations”. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Vol. 151, pp. 104356, 2021.
• W. Li, X. S. Zhang*. “Momentum-based accelerated Mirror Descent Stochastic Approximation for Robust Topology Optimization under Stochastic Loads”. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering. Vol. 122, No. 17, pp. 4431-4457, 2021.
• X. S. Zhang*, W. Li, Y. Ouyang. “Paved guideway topology optimization for pedestrian traffic under Nash equilibrium”. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 63, pp. 1405–1426. 2021.
• X. S. Zhang*, H. Chi., Z. Zhao. “Topology optimization of fiber-reinforced hyperelastic structures under large deformations”. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 378, pp. 113496, 2021.
• C. Wang, Z. Zhao, M. Zhou, O. Sigmund, X.S. Zhang*. "A comprehensive review of educational articles on structural and multidisciplinary optimization." Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 64, pp. 2827–2880, 2021.
• X. S. Zhang*, E. de Sturler, and A. Shapiro. "Topology optimization with many right-hand sides using mirror descent stochastic approximation -- reduction from many to a single sample. " Journal of Applied Mechanics. Vol. 87, No. 5, pp. 051005, 2020.
• X. S. Zhang*, H. Chi. "Efficient multi-material continuum topology optimization considering hyperelasticity: achieving local feature control through regional constraints. " Mechanics Research Communications. Vol. 105, pp. 103494, 2020.
• X. S. Zhang, H. Chi, G. H. Paulino. "Adaptive multi-material topology optimization with hyperelastic materials under large deformations: A virtual element approach. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 130, pp. 112976, 2020.
• X. S. Zhang, G. H. Paulino, A. Ramos Jr. “Multi-Material Topology Optimization with Multiple Volume Constraints: A General Approach Applied to Ground Structures with Material Nonlinearity.” Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 57, pp. 161-182, 2018.
• X. S. Zhang, G. H. Paulino, A. Ramos Jr. “Multi-material Topology Optimization with Multiple Volume Constraints: Combining the ZPR Update with a Ground-structure Algorithm to Select a Single Material Per Overlapping Set.” International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering. Vol. 114, pp. 1053–1073, 2018.
• X. S. Zhang, E. de Sturler, G. H. Paulino. “Stochastic Sampling for Deterministic Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases: Density-Based and Ground Structure Approaches.” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 325, pp. 463-487, 2017.
• X. S. Zhang, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. “Material Nonlinear Topology Optimization Using the Ground Structure Method with a Discrete Filter Scheme.” Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 55, No. 6, pp. 2045–2072. 2017. (Most Downloaded Journal Article of Springer in Mechanics 2017.)
• X. S. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. “Closure to “Macroelement and Macropatch Approaches to Structural Topology Optimization Using the Ground Structure Method.” ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Vol. 144, No. 10, pp. 07018009-1 to 4. 2018.
• X. S. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. “Macroelement and Macropatch Approaches for Topology Optimization of Trusses Using a Ground Structure Method.” ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Vol. 142, No. 11, pp. 04016090-1-14. 2016.

Invited Lectures

• Invited Plenary State-Of-The-Art talk: Optimization of complex structures and systems
• ASME CONCAM distinguished lecture on computational mechanics: Programmable soft metastructures via multi-material topology optimization
• Invited keynote lecture: Topology optimization of hyperelastic structures with anisotropic fiber reinforcement under large deformations
• Invited webinar: Adaptive multi-material topology optimization with hyperelastic materials under large deformations: A virtual element approach
• Invited panel: An Introduction to Systems Engineering and What it Means to Structural Engineers
• Invited lecture: Leveraging Materials in Topology Optimization -Design of Composite Materials with Multi-material Topology Optimization with Many Constraints
• Invited keynote: Adaptive multi-material topology optimization with many constraints: A novel approach with material and geometric nonlinearities.
• Multi-material, multi-constraint, and multi-objective topology optimization: from structural to multidisciplinary engineering
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• Achieving Structural Innovation and Resilience through Topology Optimization with Many Objectives, Many Constraints, and Many Materials
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases
• A Primer on Michell's Optimality Conditions
• Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials, Multiple Constraints, and Multiple Load Cases

Magazine Articles

• "Researchers introduce programmable materials to help heal broken bones", Illinois News Bureau, May 21, 2024. Also featured in UIUC Campus News, Yahoo, ScienceDaily, WCIA, Materials Square, Helium Trades, 3Printr.com, Technology Networks, and Phys.org.
• "Researchers engineer a material that can perform different tasks depending on temperature", Illinois News Bureau, November 28, 2023. Also featured in UIUC Campus News, TechXplore, NewsBeezer, Life Technology, ScienceDaily, Lab Manager, and Science Tech Updates.
• "New approach to flexible robotics and metamaterials design mimics nature, encourages sustainability", Illinois News Bureau, February 28, 2022. Also featured in UIUC Campus News, TechiLive, News Azi, NewsTime, TechXplore, and Bioengineer.

Journal Editorships

• Associate Editor, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 2024-present
• Review Editor, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (Flagship journal of Society of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization), 2021-present
• Guest Editor, Journal of Engineering Structures. Special Issue: Additively manufactured structures. 2022 - present
• Early Career Editorial Board Member, Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2021-present
• Guest Editor, Extreme Mechanics Letter (Impact factor: 4.806), 2021-present
• Editor, ISSMO Newsletter, initiated and created a societal Newsletter series for the International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO, the most prominent and influential society of PI's research field) during the pandemic to enable a healthy and supportive environment for researchers and students from diverse backgrounds to stay connected. 2020-2023

Conferences Organized or Chaired

• Minisymposium Organizer, Fast Solution Approaches for Complex Structural Optimization, 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM-XV), July 31-August 5, 2022.
• Congress Local Organizing Committee Member: 16th U.S. National Congress for Computational Mechanics (USNCCM) of U. S. Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM), Chicago, IL, 2021
• Symposium Organizer, Optimization of Materials and Structures, Including Shape and Topology: Direct and Inverse Problems", 16th U.S. National Congress for Computational Mechanics (USNCCM), Chicago, IL, 2021.
• Webinar Co-organizer (Co-organizer: Prof. Wei Chen), TOP Webinar (Topology Optimization Webinar) on Data-driven Approaches in Topology Optimization (DATO), January 26, 2021.
• Symposium Organizer, Daniel C. Drucker Medal Symposium, 2020 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE), ASME, November 16-19, 2020.
• Minisymposium organizer, New Trends in Topology Optimization, 15th U.S. National Congress for Computational Mechanics (USNCCM), Austin, TX, July 28-August 1, 2019.

Professional Societies

• Executive Committee, International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO, the most prominent and influential society of PI's research field), 2023-present.
• Chair, USACM (U. S. Association for Computational Mechanics), Technical Thrust Area (TTA) on Large Scale Structural Systems and Optimal Design, 2023
• Event Officer, Female Researchers Group (FRG) of U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM), 2020-present
• Vice-Chair, USACM (U. S. Association for Computational Mechanics), Technical Thrust Area (TTA) on Large Scale Structural Systems and Optimal Design, 2021-2023
• Honor Member, Chi Epsilon – National Civil Engineering Honor Society, 2021-present

Service on College Committees

• Team lead, UIUC-Carle Health Covid PPE project – led the design team for the N95 mask and face shield PPE project, 2020

Teaching Honors

• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Fall 2023)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Spring 2023)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Spring 2022)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Fall 2021)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Spring 2021)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Summer 2020)
• UIUC Center for Teaching Excellence List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (Spring 2020)
• ASCE Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Fellowship (2019)

Research Honors

• Dean's Award for Early Innovation (2025)
• Thomas J.R. Hughes Young Investigator Award, ASME (American Society of Civil Engineers) (2025 )
• EMI Leonardo da Vinci Award, ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) (2024 )
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Director's Fellowship (2024 )
• Dean's Award for Excellence in Research (2023-2024)
• David C. Crawford Faculty Scholar (2023 )
• Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) Award (2023 )
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) (2022 )
• Journal of Applied Mechanics Award, ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) (2022 )
• Faculty Scholar, Office of Risk Management & Insurance Research (ORMIR) (2022)
• National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award (2021 )
• Fellow, National Science Foundation (NSF) CMMI's Game Changer Academies (2021)
• Elected to be an Honor Member, Chi Epsilon - National Civil Engineering Honor Society (2021)
• National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) Faculty Fellowship (2019)
• Institution-wide Best Ph.D. Thesis of entire Georgia Tech, Sigma Xi Honor Society, Georgia Tech Chapter (2019)
• Department-wide Best Ph.D. Thesis, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Tech (2018)
• Third Place in Siemens FutureMakers Challenge, Siemens Corporation (2018)
• The Most Downloaded Journal Article in Springer (2017)