About

Dr. Dan Zhang is a Kaneff Professor and Tier 1 York Research Chair in Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University. From July 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015, Dr. Zhang was a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Advanced Robotics and Automation, was a founding Chair of the Department of Automotive, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering with the Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science at University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Laval University in June, 2000.  Dr. Zhang’s contributions to and leadership within the field of robotic and automation have been recognized with several prestigious awards, within his own university (Lassonde Innovation Awards — Established Researcher in 2018, Research Excellence Award both from university level in 2009 and faculty level in 2008), the Province of Ontario (Early Researcher Award in 2010), the professional societies (election to Fellow of the CAE in 2017, the ASME in 2016, the EIC in 2012 and the CSME in 2010) and federal funding agencies (Canada Research Chair in January 2009 and renewed in January 2014). As well, he was awarded the Inaugural Teaching Excellence by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science of UOIT in 2006 and the Best Professor Award by UOIT Engineering Students’ Society in 2012. Dr. Zhang was listed as the World’s Top Two Percent Researchers by Stanford’s Standardized Citation Indicators in 2020. In addition, he and his students won the 2020 ASME Journal of Mechanical Design Editors’ Choice Award.

Dr. Zhang is the editor-in-chief for International Journal of Mechanisms and Robotic Systems, the editor-in-chief for International Journal of Robotics Applications and Technologies, the section editor-in-chief for Machines (Automation Systems), Associate editor for the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, the International Journal of Robotics and Automation (ACTA publisher) and guest editors for many other international journals.

Dr. Zhang served as a member of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Grant Selection Committee and committee member for the Early Researcher Awards (ERA) program by Ministry of Colleges and Universities Ontario. Dr. Zhang was director of Board of Directors at Durham Region Manufacturing Association and director of Board of Directors of Professional Engineers Ontario, Lake Ontario Chapter. Dr. Zhang is a registered Professional Engineer of Canada, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a Fellow of Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME), a Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a Senior Member of SME.