Dr Zhang has a multidisciplinary background in nursing and finance. She completed her undergraduate studies in China, qualifying as a registered nurse in 2018, and obtained an MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice from the University of Edinburgh in 2019. She completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 2024.

Dr Zhang contributed to several international research projects and published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. She was involved in projects such as the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Experiences of Accessing Research Evidence for Practice in Ghana (NEAR Ghana) study at the University of Edinburgh and the VRUnwind project at the University of Manchester, which focused on developing virtual reality–based mindfulness interventions for people living with type 2 diabetes.

Dr Zhang’s research areas focus on the co-design and evaluation of digital health interventions aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life. She has a particular interest in digital health innovation, patient and public involvement, and the implementation and evaluation of AI-enabled healthcare interventions. Her methodological expertise is in systematic reviews and realist evaluation.