I am Hongyi (Jack) Zhang, an M.S. student in Data Analytics and Statistics with an Honors Degree at Washington University in St. Louis, where I work as a Research Assistant advised by Prof. Shinjini Kundu.

My research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Mathematical Modeling, and Biomedical Informatics. I am especially interested in building reliable AI systems that connect rigorous statistical modeling with real-world clinical and engineering applications.

Beyond academia, I am also an open-source developer interested in leveraging coding agents to support open-source communities. I strongly believe in the open-source spirit and its potential to make technology more accessible, collaborative, and impactful.

I can be reached at hongyi.zhang@wustl.edu or hongyi.zhang.cn@gmail.com.

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), USA Aug 2024 - May 2026
  M.S. in Data Analytics and Statistics with Honors.
  Advisor: Professor Shinjini Kundu.
• Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), China Aug 2019 - Jul 2023
  B.S. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
  Advisor: Professor Jiaqiang Wen.

Research

• Jan 2025 - Present, Research Assistant, Washington University in St. Louis, Medical AI Lab, advised by Prof. Shinjini Kundu. Mapping Phosphorylated Tau Using MD-MRI in Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Sep 2024 - Jan 2025, Research Assistant, University of Southern California, advised by Prof. Weixuan Xia. Deep Neural Network Surrogate Modeling for High-Frequency Bitcoin Dynamics.
• Sep 2023 - May 2024, Research Assistant, Chinese Institute of Coal Science, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Mining, advised by Prof. Qingxin Qi. Intelligent Mining and Rock Mechanics Analysis.
• Sep 2023 - Dec 2023, Research Assistant, Duke University, advised by Prof. Rabih Younes. Computer Vision and Real-Time Face Recognition.
• Jan 2023 - Jun 2023, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Southern University of Science and Technology, advised by Prof. Jiaqiang Wen. Cryptocurrency Price Prediction Based on Machine Learning.

Honors

• 2026, The Outstanding Master’s Research Award, WashU.
• 2026, Master’s Honors Program, WashU.
• 2026, Student Marshal, WashU.
• 2022, SUSTech Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship, SUSTech.
• 2022, Honorable Mention, Mathematical Contest in Modeling, COMAP, Leader.
• 2021, Excellence Award, China Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling, CSIAM, Leader.
• 2020, Overall 7th Place, Joint University Investment Game, HKSI.
• 2019, SUSTech Freshman Scholarship, SUSTech.

Publication

In Preparation

Multidimensional MRI Maps Histology-Defined Phosphorylated Tau Burden in Alzheimer’s Disease

Hongyi Zhang, C. S. Latimer, C. D. Keene, D. Benjamini, S. Kundu

In preparation for submission to Brain, 2026.

• Developed a supervised machine learning framework using multidimensional MRI to estimate pTau concentration and spatial distribution in Alzheimer’s disease.

• Hongyi Zhang. Multidimensional MRI Maps Histology-Defined Phosphorylated Tau Burden in Alzheimer’s Disease. McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations, Washington University in St. Louis, 2026. [Thesis]
• Hongyi Zhang. Real-time face recognition method based on MTCNN-Inception-ResNet-v2-SVM model. Applied and Computational Engineering, 45, 179-189, 2024. [DOI]
• L. Hai, T. Du, B. Sun, W. Yang, B. Chang, Z. Zhao, H. Li, B. Jia, Hongyi Zhang. Bursting prevention of hard roof by axial slit cutting and fracturing with abrasive jet. Journal of Mining and Strata Control Engineering, 5(5), 053044-053044, 2023. [DOI]
• Y. M. Wang, S. Lei, Hongyi Zhang. Numerical simulation analysis of coal silos surrounding rock stability under different coal storage conditions. China Energy and Environmental Protection, 45(08), 6-10, 2023. [DOI]

For the latest citation information, please see my Google Scholar profile.

Industry

• Aug 2025 - May 2026, AI Agent Developer, Spect AI Inc., Remote.
• Jul 2021 - Aug 2021, Data Analysis Intern, CCTEG Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., Beijing.

Teaching

• 2025, Lead Teaching Assistant, Probability and Stochastic Processes, Washington University in St. Louis.
• 2025, Lead Teaching Assistant, Optimization, Washington University in St. Louis.
• 2026, Grader, Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Classification, Washington University in St. Louis.
• 2022, Teaching Assistant, Introduction to MATLAB, Southern University of Science and Technology.

Projects

• Sep 2024 - Mar 2025, Project Leader, Project-Based Learning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• 2022, Data Science Program, North Carolina State University, Grade: A+.

Leadership

• May 2026, Commencement Volunteer, Washington University in St. Louis.
• Feb 2026 - Present, Member, United Way of Greater St. Louis Volunteer Center.
• Jun 2025 - Present, Member, St. Louis Young Single Adult (YSA) Community.
• Apr 2024, Forum Volunteer, Mining Artificial Intelligence Forum.
• Nov 2023, Conference Volunteer, Digital Rock Mechanics Launch Conference.
• Mar 2022 - Sep 2022, Volunteer, SUSTech COVID-19 Prevention and Control Team.
• Mar 2020 - Sep 2022, Co-founder, SUSTech Powerlifting Club.
• Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Volunteer, SUSTech Undergraduate Admission Office.

Hobbies

• Hiking, traveling, kickboxing, basketball, fitness training, electronics, mechanical systems, automobiles, and investment research.