In 2008, Zhang Tao obtained a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Qingdao University of Science and Technology. In 2011, he completed his Master's degree in Architecture from Xi'an Jiaotong University. In 2013, he was awarded a scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, (MEXT). In 2016, he earned his Ph.D. from The University of Kitakyushu in Japan and was recognized as a highly talented individual in the field of academia by the Japanese government. Currently, Zhang Tao is employed at iSMART at the Qingdao University of Science and Technology, and he also holds a position as a special researcher at The University of Kitakyushu. In his research, he has two primary focuses. Firstly, he conducts in-depth research on the low-carbon and sustainable development of rural areas in the Shandong Peninsula as part of China's rural revitalization efforts. Secondly, he is dedicated to the study of timber-framed residential construction techniques in Japan and the development of high-strength integrated wood material, known as S-CRW.