Dr. Yan Zheng is a congressional fellow in the office of Senator Chris Coons, sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He focuses on developing policy that will boost R&D, support domestic manufacturing, and spur innovation and economic growth. Dr. Zheng has worked with leaders in federal agencies, congressional committees, advocacy groups, think tanks, and other stakeholders. This experiences has given him a unique perspective on leveraging technology commercialization to address regional economic growth.

Prior to this role Dr. Yan Zheng was a technology consultant with the firm Booz Allen Hamilton where he specializes in semiconductor-based microelectronics and optoelectronic devices. He has extensive experience in the growth of compound semiconductors as well as the fabrication and test of high-speed vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). Dr. Zheng supported several program managers in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop innovative technology programs. In the course of his work, Dr. Zheng regularly works with universities, small businesses, military, and government organizations on projects aimed at addressing the needs of both the commercial sector and national defense.

Dr. Zheng received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in electrical engineering. He was the program director of the Leadership In Team Engineering (LITE) program which he established to engage both student-led teams and local nonprofit organizations in solving technical problems for the community. Dr. Zheng was also a mentor in the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) research experience for undergraduates program as well as for local community college students where he mentored traditionally underrepresented students in engineering. Dr. Zheng is a member of IEEE, AAAS, and a founding member of the UCSD chapter of Eta Kappa Nu (HKN).