Two researchers from CDE have been awarded the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship. The programme, launched in 2022, aims to enhance discoveries in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The two fellowship awardees are Wang Tao from the Department of the Built Environment and Zhang Yuxiang from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
AI-driven urban energy analysis
Originally from China, Wang Tao completed his BEng and MSc in the UK before joining NUS where he completed his PhD in 2024.
Wang’s research under the fellowship will focus on using AI and satellite imagery to support large-scale urban energy analysis. By extracting building characteristics across entire cities, his hybrid AI-physics model will provide insights into energy consumption patterns without the need for extensive manual data collection.
Wang says his approach aims to equip city planners and policymakers with data-driven tools to identify high-impact areas for intervention, model policy outcomes, and implement cost-effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment.
Smarter, greener transport systems
Zhang Yuxiang received her BSc and PhD degrees from the College of Automotive Engineering at Jilin University in China before joining NUS as a Research Fellow in 2022.
Zhang’s fellowship research will develop AI-driven tools to enhance intelligent transportation systems, supporting Singapore’s push toward net zero emissions by 2050. By integrating advanced language models, her work aims to improve decision-making in transport operations, making AI-driven systems more transparent and efficient.
Zhang says these innovations will help optimise energy use, reduce emissions, and position Singapore as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility solutions.
‘Pressing challenges’
Supported by Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, the AI in Science Fellowship seeks to support upcoming postdoctoral talents in their research who are incorporating AI techniques into the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematical science.
Commenting on the awarding of the fellowships, Professor Silvija Gradecak, Vice Dean for Research & Technology at CDE said: “This fellowship is a testament to the outstanding potential of young researchers like Wang Tao and Zhang Yuxiang. By harnessing AI to tackle pressing challenges in urban energy and transportation, their work has the potential to drive meaningful change in sustainable development. Supporting emerging talent in AI-driven research is crucial, and we look forward to seeing the impact of their contributions.”