Dr. Zifeng Zhao is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from Tongji University and was jointly trained at Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on the durability and sustainability of asphalt pavement materials, with special expertise in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), rubberized asphalt, and accelerated pavement testing. Dr. Zhao has participated in several U.S. national infrastructure projects in collaboration with MnDOT and other agencies, covering topics such as haul road maintenance, asphalt lift thickness, and sensor-based pavement monitoring. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed papers in top-tier journals, and serves as a reviewer for multiple international journals in the fields of pavement engineering and sustainable infrastructure.