Li Ang Zhang is a Senior Information Scientist at RAND and a Professor of Policy Analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His research sits at the intersection of machine learning (ML), optimization, and mathematical modeling as applied to complex defense and technology policy challenges. His current work explores the boundaries of AI in defense contexts, applications for space domain awareness, and adversarial red-teaming of large language models to characterize their risks and limitations for defense and policy stakeholders.
Beyond research, he developed the RAND's first LLM-assisted research applications, RANDChat and AskRAND, to enable AI-assisted research across RAND. His contributions have been recognized with the Schaffer Medal Award, RAND's highest institutional honor, as well as multiple Bronze, Spotlight, and Innovation awards.
Prior to RAND, he specialized in developing model-based decision support systems to combat clinical challenges associated with sepsis, a severe inflammatory syndrome. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ph.D. in chemical engineering, University of Pittsburgh; B.S. in chemical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
