His research focus is the intersection among game theory, optimization and business decisions. He is especially interested in how to design optimal mechanisms under adverse selection, moral hazard and information asymmetry. His teaching interests at Duke Kunshan include microeconomics, mathematical economics and game theory.

His work “Setbacks, Shutdowns and Overruns” was published in Econometrica. He has been a member of the Society of INFORMS, POMS, MSOM, ASSA and ES Society since 2020.

Zhang has a B.A. in economics from Zhejiang University. He also received M.A. in economics and Ph.D in economics from Duke University, where he also served as a research associate since 2022.