Heng Zhang

Heng Zhang

Postdoctoral Researcher at IRCN, University of Tokyo

Developing bio-inspired AI systems for computer vision and NLP through predictive processing and self-organization principles.

Background

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology. My research develops bio-inspired AI systems for computer vision and natural language processing by drawing on principles of predictive processing and self-organization observed in biological systems.

I focus on creating adaptive and robust learning frameworks that excel in dynamic, uncertain environments. My work spans unsupervised learning, dynamical systems, neural representations, and sequence learning. Through computational modeling of brain functions—particularly prediction and complex sequence processing—I aim to develop artificial intelligence that reflects the efficiency and resilience of biological cognition.

Specialties

Deep Learning Computer Vision NLP Reservoir Computing Self-Organization Dynamical Systems Unsupervised Learning Robustness PyTorch TensorFlow Python MATLAB

Professional Experience

April 2025 — Present

Postdoctoral Researcher

International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo

Collaborative initiative with KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Computational modeling of brain functions including prediction and complex sequence processing for bio-inspired AI.

Oct 2024 — Mar 2025

Postdoctoral Researcher

Kyushu University

Developing robust and adaptive machine learning models. Building bio-inspired AI systems resistant to adversarial attacks and noise corruptions.

May 2024 — Mar 2025

System Engineer

MiraiX.org

3D open-world game development, machine learning engineering, and UI/UX design.

June 2022 — Sept 2024

Research Assistant

Kyushu University

Research assistant for projects in mathematics and information engineering. Lab assistant for stem cell culturing.

Academic Background

Oct 2021 — Sept 2024

Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence & Information Science

Kyushu University

Thesis: "Adaptive and Robust Learning with Self-Organizing and Nonlinear Dynamics." Full-funded by SPRING program from JST.

Sept 2019 — Dec 2020

MSc. Communications & Signal Processing

University of Manchester

First-Class Honours. Outstanding Distinction grade in master's thesis on human gait classification using machine learning.

Sept 2015 — July 2019

BEng. Electronic & Information Engineering

Shenzhen University

Top 10 GPA

Additional Information

Languages

  • English - Highly proficient
  • Chinese - Native
  • Cantonese - Native
  • Japanese - Limited Conversational

Teaching Experience

  • Teaching Assistant
    Prompt Engineering, Kyushu University
    Apr 2024 - Sept 2024
  • Lecturer
    Education Career Planning, New Oriental Education & Technology Group
    Apr 2022 - Sept 2022

More of me

Get in Touch

Location International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN)
The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 113-0033
Email rogerzhangheng [at] gmail [dot] com