Bios

Mingming Zhang, IEEE Senior Member, is a tenured Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Southern University of Science and Technology. He has been awarded several prestigious titles, including National Young Talent, Young Scientist of the National Key R&D Program, and Guangdong Outstanding Youth Scholar. He directs the Brain‑Robot Rehabilitation Technology Laboratory. His research covers intelligent rehabilitation robotics, sports engineering, and brain‑computer interfaces. He has developed multiple applied systems, such as an integrated smart cane‑exoskeleton, a tactile‑mediated group‑coupled rehabilitation robot, a task‑oriented BCI system, and a UWB/IMU wearable motion‑sensing platform, which have been deployed in rehabilitation training for tens of thousands of patients. He has authored over 100 papers in journals and conferences including Nat. Commun., IEEE TRO, TFS, TII, TIE, TMECH, TASE, TIM, TNSRE, RAL, JBHI, TBME, ICRA, and IROS. He holds more than 50 patents (30 granted). He has led projects funded by the NSFC, Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Major‑Cornerstone), and Shenzhen Medical Research Fund. His work has been recognized with awards such as the Chinese Rehabilitation Medical Science and Technology Award, Guangdong Science and Technology Invention Award, and the GBA Artificial Intelligence and Automation Society Natural Science Award. He serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE TASE, TNSRE, RAL, and TMRB.

Lab website: https://zhangmmlab.com

Education

2012-2016, Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2009-2011, M. S. in Mechatronics, Chongqing University

2005-2009, B. S. in Mechanical Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology

Work Experience

May of 2024-Present, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology

August of 2018-May of 2024, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology

2017-2018, Visiting Research Fellow, The University of Auckland, New Zealand

2017-2018, Chief Technology Officer, CASTIOT LIMITED, New Zealand

2015-2016, Postdoc Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Honors and Rewards

1. Second Prize (Rank 1/9), Guangdong Provincial Technology Invention Award, 2025

2. First Prize (Rank 1/9), Guangdong Provincial Robotics Science and Technology Award, 2024

3. First Prize (Rank 1/4), Natural Science Award of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) Association of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, 2024

4. First Prize (Rank 2/10), Science and Technology Award of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association, 2024

5. Second Prize, Science and Technology Award of the Guangdong Rehabilitation Medicine Association, 2024

6. Young Editor, Cyborg and Bionic Systems (Science Partner Journal), 2021‑2023

7. Associate Editor, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2022‑Present

8. Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2023‑Present

9. Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics, 2023‑Present

10. Lead Guest Editor / Associate Editor, Special Issue on “AI in Automation for Healthcare Applications”, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2019‑2021

11. Associate Editor, IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), 2019‑2023

12. Best Conference Paper Award, The 29th IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP), 2023

13. Outstanding Teaching Award, Southern University of Science and Technology, 2023

14. Best Conference Paper Finalist, IEEE International Conference on Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics (ARM), 2022

15. Best Student Paper Finalist Award, IEEE International Conference on Real-time Computing and Robotics (RCAR), 2022

16. T.J. Tran Best Paper in Robotics Finalist Award, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, 2020‑2021

17. Outstanding College Mentor Award, Southern University of Science and Technology, 2021

18. Special Prize (Top 2 University‑wide) in the 5th Young Faculty Teaching Competition, Southern University of Science and Technology, 2021

Selected Papers

1. C. Wang, Y. Liu, C. Sun, P. Li, Y-F. Chen, M. Dong, Z. Li, L. Liu, M. Zhang*, “Augmented Tank-Based Control Guarantees Passive Individual Interaction Environment for Multi-User Haptic-Enabled Robotic Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2026. DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2026.3651680.

2. C. Wang, Y. Liu, C. Sun, L. Liu, M. Zhang*, “A Two-layer Task Model for Rendering Stable Cooperative Haptics in Multi-user Haptic-enabled Robotic Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 2025. DOI: 10.1109/TII.2025.3647544.

3. X. Lu#, Y-F. Chen #, Z. Li, J. Zhao, Y. Zhou, D. Wu, M. Zhang*, “EEG Enables Continuous Decoding of Hand Motion Angles in Polar Coordinates”, Cyborg and Bionic Systems, 2025. DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0469.

4. Y. Lin, F. Zhu*, Y. Zhang; H. Lin, M. Zhang*, “Open-Environment Evidential Learning for Reliable Myoelectric Locomotion Prediction”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2025. 33: 4477-4486.

5. Z. Fu#, Y. Lin#, G. Xu*, M. Zhang*, “Comparative Performance of IMU and sEMG in Locomotion Mode Prediction Across Transitional and Steady-State Cyclic/Non-cyclic Gaits”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 2025. DOI: 10.1109/JBHI.2025.3623132.

6. Z. Li#, Y-F. Chen#, J. Yu, M. Zhang*, “WavTSK: An Interpretable Fuzzy Network with Learnable Wavelet-Based Feature Extraction for Motor Imagery EEG Decoding”, IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 2025. DOI: 10.1109/TFUZZ.2025.3623122.

7. M. Dong, H. Ruan, Z. Wang, C. Sun, S. Zuo, Y-F. Chen, J. Li*, M. Zhang*, “Toward Physician-Level Performance in Robot-Assisted Ankle Rehabilitation via Imitation Learning with Empirical and Temporal Adaption”, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2025. 41: 5360-5377.

8. Y-F. Chen, H. Zi, J. Zhong, C. Zhang, M. Dong, J. Yuan, M. Zhang*, “Effect and Sensitivity Analysis of VR Gaming on Human Contact Force Perception”, IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems, 2025. 55(4): 629-638.

9. Y. Lin, Y. Zhang, W. Zhong, Z. Xi, Y-F. Chen, M. Zhang*, “Leveraging Extended Windows in End-to-End Deep Learning for Improved Continuous Myoelectric Locomotion Prediction”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2025. 33: 1170-1179.

10. W. Yan, Y. Lin, Y-F. Chen, Y. Wang, J. Wang, M. Zhang*, “Enhancing Neuroplasticity for Post-Stroke Motor Recovery: Mechanisms, Models, and Neurotechnology”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2025. 33: 1156-1168.

11. C. Wang, C. Zhang, W. Ye, M. Zhang*, “SCPR: A Slider-Crank-Inspired 2R1T Parallel Robot Enables High Orientation Capability without Parasitic Motion”, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2025. DOI: 10.1109/TMECH.2025.3543506.

12. M. Zhang, K. Guo, Z. Gao, J. Wu, Y. Chen*, M. Dong*, “Power Modulation Enables Reduced Motor Power Requirement of Ankle Assistance Exosuit”, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2024. DOI: 10.1109/TASE.2024.3488714.

13. C. Sun, Y. Liu, C. Wang, Y. Lin, Y. Chen, J. Wu, J. Long, M. Zhang*, “A Unified Control Framework Enables Robust Robotic Haptic Rendering of Bimanual Rehabilitation Tasks”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2024. 9(11): 10636-10643.

14. P. Fu#, W. Zhong#, Y. Zhang, W. Xiong, Y. Lin, Y. Tai, L. Meng, M. Zhang*, “Predicting Continuous Locomotion Modes via Multidimensional Feature Learning from sEMG”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 2024. 28(11): 6629-6640.

15. M. Zhang*, C. Wang*, C. Zhang, P. Li, L. Liu, “A Unified Switching Control Framework for Continuous Robot-Assisted Training”, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2024. 29(4): 2743-2755.

16. C. Zhang, C. Wang, P. Li, Y. Liu, Y. Chen, M. Zhang*, “Robot-Assisted Haptic Rendering for Nail Hammering: A Representative of IADL Tasks”, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2024. 21(3): 4028-4041.

17. Y. Jiang, C. Zheng, R. Ma, Y. Chen, S. Ge, C. Sun, J. Long, P. Fang, M. Zhang*, “Within-session Reliability of fNIRS in Robot-assisted Upper-limb Training”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2024. 32: 1302-1313.

18. W. Zhong#, L. Zhang#, Z. Sun, M. Dong*, M. Zhang*, “UI-MoCap: An Integrated UWB-IMU Circuit Enables 3D Positioning and Enhances IMU Data Transmission”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2024. 32: 1034-1044.

19. R. Ma#, Y. Chen#, Y. Jiang, M. Zhang*, “A New Compound-limbs Paradigm: Integrating upper-limb swing improves lower-limb stepping intention decoding from EEG”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2023. 31: 3823-3834.

20. H. Liu#, F. Wu#, B. Zhong, Y. Zhao, J. Zhang, W. Niu, M. Zhang*, “Close-Range Human Following Control on a Cane-Type Robot with Multi-Camera Fusion”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2023. 8(10): 6443-6450.

21. Q. Huang, B. Zhong, N. Elangovan, M. Zhang*, J. Konczak*, “A Robotic Device for Measuring Human Ankle Motion Sense”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2023. 31: 2822-2830.

22. B. Zhong#, M. Shen#, H. Liu#, Y. Zhao, Q. Qian, W. Wang, H. Yu*, M. Zhang*, “A Cable-driven Exoskeleton with Personalized Assistance Improves the Gait Metrics of People in Subacute Stroke”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2023. 31: 2560-2569.

23. M. Zhang#, J. Wu#, J. Song, R. Fu, R. Ma, Y. Jiang, Y. Chen*, “Decoding Coordinated Directions of Bimanual Movements from EEG Signals”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2022. 31: 248-259.

24. Y. Chen#, F. Fu#, J. Wu, J. Song, R. Ma, Y. Jiang, M. Zhang*, “Continuous Bimanual Trajectory Decoding of Coordinated Movement from EEG Signals”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 2022. 26(12): 6012-6023.

25. Z. Sun#, Y. Jiang#, Y. Li#, J. Song, M. Zhang*, “Short-term Priming Effects: an EEG Study of Action Observation on Motor Imagery”, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems, 2022. DOI: 10.1109/TCDS.2022.3187777.

26. Y. Chen, S.-Z. Fan, M. F. Abbod, J.-S. Shieh, M. Zhang*, “Nonlinear Analysis of Electroencephalogram Variability as a Measure of the Depth of Anesthesia”, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2022. 71: 4004413.

27. W. Zhong#, X. Fu#, M. Zhang*, “A Muscle Synergy-Driven ANFIS Approach to Predict Continuous Knee Joint Movement”, IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 2022. 30(6): 1553-1563.

28. M. Zhang#*, C. Sun#, Y. Liu, X. Wu*, “A Robotic System to Deliver Multiple Physically Bimanual Tasks via Varying Force Fields”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2022. 30: 688-698.

29. P. Li, K. Guo, M. Zhang*, “Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control of Servo Systems via IMC Principle with Active Damping and Sliding Mode Techniques”, ISA Transactions, 2022. 129: 663-672.

30. YC. Jiang, R. Ma, S. Qi, S. Ge, Z. Sun, Y. Li, J. Song, M. Zhang*, “Characterization of Bimanual Cyclical Tasks from Single-trial EEG-fNIRS Measurements”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2022. 30: 146-156.

31. B. Zhong, K. Guo, H. Yu*, M. Zhang*, “Toward Gait Symmetry Enhancement via a Cable-Driven Exoskeleton Powered by Series Elastic Actuators”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2021. 7(2): 786-793.

32. C. Sun, K. Chu, Q. Miao, P. Li, W. Zhong, S. Qi, M. Zhang*, “Bilateral Asymmetry of Hand Force Production in Dynamic Physically-Coupled Tasks”, IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 2021. 26(4): 1826-1834.

33. P. Li, L. Wang, B. Zhong, M. Zhang*, “Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Two-Mass Systems Via Singular Perturbation Approach”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 2022. 18(5): 3022-3032.

34. P. Li#, L. Wang#, G. Zhu, M. Zhang*, “Predictive Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Servo Systems with Communication Delays via Sliding Mode Approach”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2021. 68(12): 12679-12688.

35. B. Zhong#, J. Cao#, A. McDaid, S. Xie, M. Zhang*, “Synchronous Position and Compliance Regulation on a Bi-Joint Gait Exoskeleton Driven by Pneumatic Muscles”, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2020. 4(17): 2162-2166.

36. P. Li, G. Zhu*, M. Zhang*, “Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Servo Motor Systems with input Delay via Internal Model Control Rules”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2020. 68(2): 1077-1086.

37. M. Zhang, S. Xie*, X. Li, G. Zhu, W. Meng, X. Huang, AJ. Veale, “Adaptive Patient-cooperative Control of a Compliant Ankle Rehabilitation Robot (CARR) with Enhanced Training Safety”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2018. 65(2): 1398-1407.

38. M. Zhang*, W. Meng, TC. Davies, Y. Zhang, S. Xie, “A Robot-Driven Computational Model for Estimating Passive Ankle Torque with Subject-Specific Adaptation”, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 2016. 63(4): 814-821.