Q&A with faculty mentor Wenlong Zhang - Fulton Forge Student Research Expo

Wenlong Zhang, an associate professor of manufacturing engineering in the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, has been a mentor for FURI and MORE student researchers since he joined ASU in 2015. His research is focused on the design, modeling and control of robotics and autonomous systems for applications in health care, mobility and manufacturing. Zhang leads the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory, or RISE Lab.

An ASU FURI student works in the lab with his mentor.

What made you want to get involved as a FURI and MORE faculty mentor?

I have been passionate about involving undergraduate students in my labs’s work on robotics, so I immediately started working with undergraduate students when I started my lab.

What is your favorite part about seeing your students conduct research?

There are maybe two aspects. The first one is to really see them go deeper into the subjects and become interested in robotics research. The second one is to see them work together as a team and exchange ideas. The sense of having a cohort of students working together toward the same research goal is very exciting.

How have your FURI and MORE students affected your research? Have they come up with any research surprises or proposed new directions for your lab?

Oh yeah, all the time. For example, I had a FURI student, Jonathan Bush, who started a new research topic for an autonomous bicycle. He has been working on this topic for the past several years, and now he is a PhD student in my lab working on a National Science Foundation project to continue exploring this exciting direction!

What have you gained from being a FURI and MORE mentor?

I think the most rewarding part is to understand how to work with students who have different aspirations in research and develop a personalized mentoring plan for each student to help fulfill their ambitions and prepare for their careers.

What advice would you give to students who might be interested in participating in FURI or MORE?

Don’t be shy to reach out — sometimes we might not have an immediate opening but feel free to reach out again after a semester. Please check our lab website periodically to see updates and new openings, and be ready to explain your passion and interests in robotics!

Why should other faculty members become FURI and MORE mentors?

It is a great way to work with talented students and get inspired by them.

Three researchers in a robotics lab. — FURI student Raj Kodithyala, Associate Professor Wenlong Zhang and graduate research associate Jahnav Rokalaboina.

Prof. Wenlong Zhang not only provided me with the resources and facilities needed to successfully execute my research project, but also guided me on how to approach complex problems by asking the right questions.

Thanks to his support, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 7th International Conference on Soft Robotics where I was exposed to cutting-edge research and had the chance to network with leading experts in the field. This experience was transformative for my professional development and greatly expanded my understanding of the latest trends and innovations in robotics. His mentorship also helped me submit a research paper to the 2025 International Conference on Robotics and Automation, one of the most prestigious conferences in our field.

Yogesh KumarRobotics and autonomous systems MORE student