Professor Yang Zhang is a faculty member in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota. He earned his Ph.D. in Speech & Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington (UW) and completed postdoctoral training at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at UW. Prof. Zhang's research interests center around understanding the neural mechanisms of speech production and perception and how these processes can be influenced by language background, musical experience, aging, hearing loss, and other factors. Beyond his academic work, Prof. Zhang enjoys taking his kids to all sorts of extra-curricular activities (including piano/violin lessons and martial arts), exploring new cultures and cuisines, and spending time outdoors.
Prof. Zhang is interested in being a faculty fellow in the Honors program because he believes in the importance of cultivating intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills in young scholars. He sees the Honors program as a unique opportunity to engage with motivated and ambitious students who are passionate about learning and making a positive impact in the world. As a faculty fellow, Prof. Zhang hopes to inspire and support these students as they pursue their academic and personal goals.