Meet CSE Profile: Ph.D. Graduate Ziqi Zhang
Ph.D. student Ziqi Zhang has built a career blending machine learning with single-cell biology. His work helps scientists study cellular mechanisms that advances disease research and drug development.
Though decorated with awards and appearances in leading journals, Zhang will achieve his greatest accomplishment tonight at McCamish Pavilion. He will join the Class of 2025 in walking across the stage, receiving diplomas, and graduating from Georgia Tech.
Before he “gets out” of Georgia Tech, we interviewed Zhang to learn more about his Ph.D. journey and where his degree will take him next.
Graduate: Ziqi Zhang
Research Interests: Machine learning, foundational models, cellular mechanisms, single-cell gene sequencing, gene regulatory networks
Education: Ph.D. in Computational Science and Engineering
Faculty Advisor: School of CSE J.Z. Liang Early-Career Associate Professor Xiuwei Zhang
What persuaded you to study at Georgia Tech?
I chose Georgia Tech because it is one of the top engineering institutions in the United States, known for its strength in machine learning and data science. The university offers exceptional research resources and the opportunity to work with leading scholars in my field. Georgia Tech also has very good research infrastructure. The Coda Building is one of the most well-designed and productive research environments I have experienced. Having access to such a space has been a genuine privilege.
How has working on your CSE degree helped you so far in your career?
Working toward my CSE degree has been instrumental in my career development. As an interdisciplinary program, CSE has equipped me with strong computational skills while also deepening my understanding of key application domains. This breadth of training has opened more opportunities during my job and internship searches. In addition, CSE community events, such as HotCSE, the weekly coffee hour, and faculty recruiting activities, have helped me strengthen my scientific communication skills, which are essential for my long-term career growth.
What research project from Georgia Tech are you most proud of?
My favorite research project was scMoMaT, a matrix tri-factorization algorithm for single-cell data integration. I invested a significant amount of time and effort into this work, iterating on the model many times. I’m very proud that it ultimately evolved into a clean, robust, and elegant algorithm.
What advice would you give someone interested in graduate school?
It is important to find an advisor who is supportive and genuinely invested in your career development. A Ph.D. is not an easy journey, and you will inevitably encounter challenges along the way. Having an advisor who can provide thoughtful guidance and dedicated mentorship is one of the most crucial factors in helping you navigate those difficulties.
What is your most favorite memory from Georgia Tech?
CSE’s new student campus visit day every year was one of my favorite times of the year. It was always fun to meet new people, have good food, and enjoy the beautiful view from the Coda rooftop.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to keep working in academia after graduation. I’m on the job hunt, currently applying for positions and preparing for interviews.
