“Dr. Qian introduced me to the world of scientific machine learning and mathematics. Because of that experience, I was able to go to Germany,” Zhang said. “The Data Assimilation group at University of Potsdam hosts a diverse group of researchers. It was incredible to realize that, as an engineer, I could find myself working in mathematics alongside biologists and computer scientists.”

While research drives her academic interests, Zhang's fascination with aerospace began much earlier. Although she lives in Duluth, Georgia, she grew up near NASA's Stennis Space Center in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. Field trips to the INFINITY Science center, which hosts the NASA Stennis Visitor center, sparked her imagination.

“Before coming to Georgia Tech, I wasn't aware of all the various aspects of aerospace engineering. As a kid, I always said I wanted to be a scientist or engineer, but I didn’t really understand what that meant. It was being at Tech, taking classes, and surrounding myself with engineers that made me realize I wanted to pursue aerospace as a career,” she said. “I am grateful to the professors and friends who have supported me along the way.”

When she isn’t in the lab, Zhang also enjoys teaching: as a part of Georgia Tech’s Tutoring and Learning Enrichment team, she has served as a Learning Assistant (LA) and Tutor for over five semesters, supporting courses in engineering, physics, and mathematics. Additionally, she serves as a mentor within the LA program and as an undergraduate research ambassador (URA). Zhang is applying to graduate programs and fellowships as she prepares to pursue a Ph.D. and continue her research in computational science and aerospace engineering.