Jiangnan University | China
Author Profile
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Dr. Hongjuan Yang began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Information Engineering from the Ocean University of China in 2017. Demonstrating early promise and commitment to scientific advancement, she pursued a doctoral degree in Acoustics at the prestigious Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under the supervision of Academician Chenghao Wang, she specialized in ultrasonic imaging, laying a strong theoretical and technical foundation that would shape her future contributions in the field of nondestructive testing and composite materials.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Dr. Yang’s professional trajectory has been marked by a steady progression in academia and research. After completing her doctorate, she joined the Dalian University of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher and assistant researcher from 2022 to 2025, where she focused on ultrasonic phased array inspection of composite materials under the guidance of Professor Zhanjun Wu. In July 2025, she was appointed Associate Professor at Jiangnan University, China, further establishing her academic presence and leadership in ultrasonic diagnostics and structural health monitoring.
Dr. Yang’s primary research contributions revolve around ultrasonic wave propagation, phased array imaging, and nondestructive evaluation of advanced composite materials, particularly carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs). Her work innovatively integrates energy compensation algorithms, reverse time migration, and machine learning to improve the detection and imaging of structural defects in composite structures. She has led national-level scientific projects, including the Youth Science Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and a Doctoral Research Startup Project under the Liaoning Provincial Natural Science Foundation. These projects highlight her technical ingenuity in developing new methods for ultrasonic inspection of irregular and thick-walled CFRPs.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Dr. Yang’s influence in the field of ultrasonic imaging and nondestructive evaluation is evident through her impressive portfolio of scholarly publications and citations. As the first or corresponding author, she has published nine SCI-indexed papers—six of which appeared in JCR Q1 journals—alongside four EI-indexed papers. Her publications in leading journals such as Ultrasonics, Composite Structures, and Measurement demonstrate both breadth and depth in theoretical and applied acoustics. Notably, one of her review papers has amassed 85 citations, and another has been recognized as a “highly cited paper” with 161 citations, underscoring the academic relevance and practical significance of her work.
ACADEMIC CITES AND PATENTS
Dr. Yang’s academic visibility is amplified by the high citation rates of her most influential papers. Her collaborative work in guided ultrasonic wave-based structural health monitoring is particularly recognized internationally. In addition to her publications, Dr. Yang holds four national invention patents in China. These patents include innovations in ultrasonic imaging and deep learning-based damage detection in bonded structures, showcasing her ability to translate scientific insight into applicable technologies. One of her patent-based methods has been granted authorization in 2024, and another in 2025, indicating her continuous commitment to real-world impact.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Dr. Yang has received significant recognition for her scientific excellence. Her paper on ultrasonic testing of carbon fiber composites was selected for promotion under the China Association for Science and Technology’s “Bilingual Communication Project 2024,” a prestigious honor that highlights the academic value and international relevance of her research. She also earned the “Excellence Award” at the Second National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition – Liaoning Selection, reflecting her distinction in postdoctoral research and innovation.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
As a rising academic leader, Dr. Hongjuan Yang is shaping the future of nondestructive testing through her interdisciplinary expertise in acoustics, mechanics, and artificial intelligence. Her legacy lies in the integration of physical modeling and data-driven algorithms for complex composite material analysis. Looking forward, her ongoing projects are poised to further redefine ultrasonic phased array technology by addressing structural irregularities in real-world applications. Her future contributions are expected to bridge scientific rigor with industrial applications, fostering smarter, safer, and more sustainable material diagnostics in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering sectors.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Beyond her research and teaching, Dr. Yang serves as a reviewer for reputed journals like Research in Nondestructive Evaluation, contributing to academic peer review and quality assurance in her domain. Her collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary projects enhance academic partnerships and foster innovation. As an associate professor, she continues to mentor the next generation of researchers and engineers, reinforcing her role as a thought leader in ultrasonic science and engineering.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
"Modeling and designing of a phased array comprising piezoelectric stack transducer for ultrasonic Lamb wave-based damage detection"
- Author: Hongjuan Yang
- Journal: Structural Health Monitoring
- Year: 2025