Dong Zhao, Ph.D., LEED®AP
Affiliated Programs/Initiatives/Projects:
Dr. Zhao is the graduate director of construction management at MSU, where he directs the Human-Building Systems Laboratory. His work focuses on human-centered digital and smart construction, using AI and data-driven computing to improve building and infrastructure systems. By connecting digital data to real-world built environments, he creates engineering solutions that increase energy efficiency, construction productivity, worker well-being, and occupant health. An NSF CAREER Award recipient with multiple best teaching and best paper awards, he serves as the elected Chair of the ASCE Data Sensing and Analysis Committee. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and manages research funded by the NSF, DOT, USDA, EDA and DOD. He also serves as a reviewer for research foundations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America, and for more than 100 journals and conferences worldwide.
Expertise Areas
- Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Design & Construction (VDC)
- Green Buildings, Energy Modeling, and Sustainable Development
- Human Building Interactions and Sustainable Work Systems
- Smart Buildings, Smart Cities & Infrastructure
- Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality, and Data Sensing in Built Environment
Related Work
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MSU AgBioResearch adds four faculty to Administrative Fellows Program
Published on December 9, 2025
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Preparing for Future Digital Education
Published on December 1, 2022
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MSU Research Drives Smart Planning
Published on November 16, 2022
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MSU Assistant Professor Dong Zhao receives prestigious NSF CAREER Award
Published on February 19, 2021
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SPDC students received first-place at MSU’s 21st University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum
Published on June 24, 2019
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SPDC PhD student Leah Mo earns ESPP’s Summer Fellowship to support her urban environmental data analytics research
Published on January 17, 2019
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SPDC construction management students travel to Barton Malow to gain experience in Building Information Modeling
Published on December 4, 2018
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Construction Management’s Dong Zhao receives 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers ExCEEd Faculty Fellowship
Published on November 20, 2018
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MSU receives $417K NSF grant to study impacts of social network interventions on engineering project outcomes
Published on November 12, 2018