Chinese government awards URI doctoral student in engineering

Yufei Tang, a doctoral student in electrical engineering at the University of Rhode Island, receives the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad from China’s Consul General Qiyue Zhang. / COURTESY YANG ZHANG
Yufei Tang, a doctoral student in electrical engineering at the University of Rhode Island, receives the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad from China’s Consul General Qiyue Zhang. / COURTESY YANG ZHANG

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – A University of Rhode Island graduate student has received the 2015 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad.
Yufei Tang, who is expected to receive his doctorate in electrical engineering from URI this summer, is one of 500 Chinese students studying in 29 countries recognized with the award.
Tang, 30, received the award, which included a $6,000 prize, at a ceremony in New York City at the Chinese consulate in April. Tang also received a certificate from the nonprofit China Scholarship Council that provides financial support to Chinese students studying overseas.
Tang’s research at URI focuses on designing intelligent control systems for the smart grid using nature-inspired computational methods, to provide more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly energy.
“I’m honored to receive this award,’’ Tang said in a statement. “It’s a recognition of the work I’ve done at URI over the last five years. The award will also inspire me to work harder in the future.’’
Tang, who grew up in Huanggang, a city in Hubei Province in central China, earned his master’s degree in power systems at a Chinese university. He joined URI in 2011 to work with Haibo He, the Robert Haas Endowed Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering at URI, and He’s research group.
Tang, who described He’s lab as “a perfect lab,” said he was interested in its work on computational intelligence and how to apply those techniques to real problems. The professor said Tang is a hard-working student, and deserving of the award.
Funding for Tang’s research comes from the National Science Foundation and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Tang hopes to find an academic position at an American university this fall to continue his research and teach.

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