Dr Xihong Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Curtin University, where he leads research within the Centre for Infrastructure Monitoring and Protection (CIMP) on protecting and decarbonising the built environment. His work spans three connected streams: multi-hazard infrastructure resilience against extreme natural and man-made hazards (blast, impact, cyclone and hydrogen safety); sustainable, circular-economy construction materials; and the digitalisation of infrastructure through structural health monitoring, AI and digital twins.

Dr Zhang is an internationally recognised researcher, named a Stanford Top 2% Scientist Worldwide for five consecutive years (2020–2024) and the author of five Clarivate Highly Cited Papers, with more than 160 peer-reviewed articles, an h-index of 39 and over 5,100 citations. His research consistently translates into real-world impact: his hydrogen-safety modelling informed the EU's 2024 hydrogen-safety policy; and his field monitoring supported the safe commissioning of Perth's Matagarup Bridge. He has secured more than $6.3M in competitive funding — including an ARC DECRA, ARC Discovery Project and three ARC Linkage Projects.

As Industry Engagement Lead and Civil Discipline Lead, Dr Zhang has built enduring partnerships with Woodside, BHP, Main Roads WA, BGC and Fastbrick Robotics, and advises the WA Government's Westport Program. He leads a team of eight PhD candidates and two research associates and has sponsored three early-career colleagues to nationally competitive ARC fellowships.