Philosophy in Engineering

“It is human nature to look for better alternatives even after the problem is seemingly officially solved already. That nature of seeking never-ending improvements is the driving force to science and engineering. Without that, there would be no innovation. As researchers, we better understand the driving force underpinning all we do.”

Since the early 90s, ISyE Professor Shuzhong Zhang has found passion in the field of Optimization, and his research has evolved with the ever-changing landscape. He watched and became a part of the story of the growing field of optimization as he saw the advent of new and exciting models come to the forefront of research practices. And with new research landscapes on the horizon (such as quantum computing, which may change the field completely), Zhang is preparing to adapt accordingly, or perhaps even see existing tools become obsolete.

“In a time when I started my career, an optimization model with a few hundred variables was reasonable, and a few thousand was big. Now, there are billions and trillions of variables. Times have changed, especially with the growing interest in Artificial Intelligence. You have to adapt because the problem is different now. However, there are unchanging principles in a changing world. The challenge for a researcher is to understand the unchanging while adapting to an ever changing environment.”

Zhang is currently focusing his research on design algorithms to solve optimization models efficiently, as well as computing equilibrium solutions. For Zhang, these sorts of problems exist everywhere and all the time.

In collaboration with ISyE Professor Kevin Leder, for example, Zhang is working to optimize cancer treatment by observing and modeling how cancer cells respond and react to various treatment types, styles, and systems.

He is also working with researchers in the biomedical field to develop algorithms that help to more clearly identify which human protein-producing genes are responsible for what particular diseases.

“We are working to connect dots and observe associations between expressions of genes and disease, and understand what genes are important for what diseases. We also have to filter out the noise of other gene markers to make sure we find the gene or genes that are actually responsible for the disease,” Zhang explains.

Though his focuses are technical and are about fine tuning parameters in order for the system to behave the way it was intended, he sees the true nature of his work as one that reflects his values. Thus, in all of years in academia, Zhang reflects that one aspect of his research has never changed – the human aspect.

“My research topics have changed a lot. But many things haven’t really changed at all. My tastes for research problems - what is interesting, important, and what reflects my values - that haven’t changed. To look for the right problems and ask the right questions, that is the most important quality in a researcher. It goes beyond technical strengths or beyond being able to do complicated technical computations - not that those aren’t important - but these are less so than the quality and passion for what we do as researchers. After all, researchers define the meaning of research.”

Zhang’s empathetic approach to research and fellow researchers has always been a priority. Through his years as a researcher he has learned more about its impact on him, as well as on the academic departments where he had served. He explains that the researcher brings value to the research, and his time in academia has taught him to look deeper at the person behind the research.

“You shouldn't fully look at the outcome of someone’s work at face value - how many papers have they published or how many awards they have received. This can be misleading. In my opinion, the success of a researcher has to do with their drive and their tastes. Throughout my career I have learned to be able to tell someone’s quality beyond the paper value. By talking to and working with people, I have come to understand people. And for an academic unit to be successful, leaders must work with people, understand people, appreciate people, and be able to know someone’s quality before it has become apparent to all.”

As Zhang continues teaching, researching, and learning he is excited to be surprised of what the future holds for him.

“What I work on next has to be a meaningful project and meaningful insight has to be gained. I know many people in academia are driven by fame or success, but I don’t have that need. I value working with good people where we can collaborate on interesting problems, lift people up and be lifted up. I want to continue to look at the problems that are crucial for society.”

Though he loves to work with his math and computing background to improve and prove theorems and bounds, Zhang will continue to dream of problems that go beyond what can fit in research proposals.

“To me philosophical dreaming is important, as I will always have an interest and motivation in humanity. Can we see the big picture of changes coming our way? What are the reasons and what are beyond reasoning? If we take away the philosophical nature of research, then our intelligence probably won't stand a chance with artificial intelligence!”