Prof. Zhang has focused on the development of advanced structural/functional materials through microstructure-based alloy design principles. By integrating theoretical modeling and computer simulation with multiscale experimental methods, his work has contributed to the understanding, predicting, and designing of microstructures during materials processing and deformation. Specifically, he has proposed a novel concentration modulation strategy to design a highly heterogeneous microstructure in steel, HEAs, and Ti-alloys with exceptional strength-ductility synergy. His group is also interested in the deformation mechanism of metastable alloys, and based on the knowledge, designing next-generation high performance metallic materials.