Email: jingtang@umich.edu
Phone: (734) 936-2775
Office: 3458 G.G. Brown Laboratory
Graduate Students
Julian Lopez
Email: jlopezz@umich.edu
Julian Lopez is a ME Ph.D. Candidate supported by Rackham Merit Fellowship and ME Chair's Fellowship, with a keen interest in advanced characterization and diagnostic tools for batteries, earning him the nickname "Battery Doctor." Before embarking on his graduate studies, he earned his Bachelor's degree in Physics from Colgate University. Outside of his academic pursuits, Julian enjoys playing volleyball, mountain biking, and exploring the culinary world by learning to cook various types of cuisine.
Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
Email: hegang@umich.edu
Hegang (Sherman) Zhi is a ME Ph.D. Candidate awarded by Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant. He was previously mentored by Professor Greeshma Gadikota and Professor Johannes Lehmann at Cornell University and earned his Master's degree in Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on gaining fundamental insights into naturally occurring materials and electrochemistry methods for greenhouse gas removal. In his leisure time, Sherman enjoys training at the gym, where he finds inspiration in both symphonies and rock music, which fuel his research and lift his spirits.
Jiushi (Evan) Ma
Email: jiushi@umich.edu
Jiushi (Evan) Ma is a graduate student in Macromolecular Science and Engineering (Macro) supported by Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant. His research focuses on materials synthesis and Batteries.
Songtao Yang
Email: songtaoy@umich.edu
Songtao is a graduate student in Macromolecular Science and Engineering (Macro). His research focuses on electrochemistry, and advanced material design and synthesis.
Tavi Kipnis
Email: tkipnis@umich.edu
Tavi is currently pursuing a ME Masters degree through the SUGS Program.
Nishir Tripathi
Email: tnishir@umich.edu
Nishir Tripathi is a ME researcher focusing on solid-state batteries. His interests include battery manufacturing, process optimization, and design for manufacturability (DFM). He brings experience in CAD modeling, manufacturing, and mechanical process design from previous roles in the automotive and e-commerce industries. Outside of research, Nishir enjoys sketching, designing, and learning about space science.
Manas Asija
Email: masija@umich.edu
Manas Asija is a Master’s ME 590 student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, specializing in battery systems, design for six sigma, and automotive body structures. His research focuses on sustainable material recovery using Joule heating. He brings prior industry experience in battery diagnostics and service optimization. Outside of academics, Manas enjoys playing tennis and watching soccer.
Postdoctoral Scholars
TBA
Undergraduate Students
Jackson Mosher
Email: jdmosher@umich.edu
Jackson is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in ME. His research interests focus on sustainable energy storage, with a particular emphasis on high-performance batteries. Outside of academics, he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, cooking, and staying active at the gym.
Shunzhi (James) Zhang
Email: jzhangsz@umich.edu
Shunzhi (James) Zhang is a senior undergraduate researcher in ME, focusing on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques for battery characterization. In his free time, he enjoys exploring electronic music and playing golf, boasting a personal best score of 79 on a par-72 course.
UM Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Service and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Program
Group Honors, Awards and Milestones
We are very proud of the achievements our group members have made during their time in our lab.
Year 2025
Precandidate/Masters Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant - Jiushi (Evan) Ma
Journal of Materials Research Invited Article - Led by Julian Lopez & Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
MRS Communications Invited Article - Led by Hegang (Sherman) Zhi & Songtao Yang
ACS Fall Meeting Poster Presentation - Julian Lopez
Precandidate Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant -Julian Lopez
Rackham Travel Award - Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
247th ECS Meeting Poster Presentation - Julian Lopez
Passing RFE Qualified Candidacy Exam - Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
Passing RFE Qualified Candidacy Exam - Julian Lopez
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Gordon Research Seminar 2025 GRS Poster Presentation - Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Gordon Research Conference 2025 GRC Poster Presentation - Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
Rackham Travel Award - Julian Lopez
Year 2024
The ECS University of Michigan Student Chapter, 2024 Chapter of Excellence - Julian Lopez
Institute for Energy Solutions (IES) Graduate and Postdoc Fellowship Program, 2025 IES Fellows Cohort - Ka Man Chung
Precandidate Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant - Hegang (Sherman) Zhi
Precandidate Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant - Logan Wang
ME Chair's Fellowship - Julian Lopez
UM Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Service and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Program - James Zhang
Rackham Merit Fellowship - Julian Lopez
Year 2023
Stanford College - Cindy Shum
The Tang Lab at Michigan is energized by an interdisciplinary team of individuals who are passionate about tackling scientific challenges and problems and eager to acquire new knowledge. Go Blue!
For the Past Members, please check Alumni.