Global Roster - Shi'an Wang
Assistant Professor Shi’an Wang is originally from Huanggang, Hubei Province, in central China. He completed his bachelor’s degree in automation at Chang’an University in Xi’an—the home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Wang then moved to Canada’s capital and earned his master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Ottawa. After graduation, he came to the United States and earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering, specializing in transportation engineering, from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
In 2025, Wang began teaching at KU. His teaching focuses on transportation engineering, traffic operations and transportation cyber-physical systems. He also enjoys developing courses that integrate emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, into transportation engineering.
His research lies at the intersection of transportation engineering, artificial intelligence and cyber-physical systems. He’s particularly interested in leveraging AI, optimization and control theory to develop intelligent, safe and sustainable transportation systems.
Why does your research matter outside of the lab and/or classroom?
Transportation is one of those things that everyone depends on, whether they’re commuting to work, taking their kids to school or traveling to major events like the FIFA World Cup. When thousands of fans are heading to the same stadium, even small improvements in how we manage traffic can make a huge difference in reducing delays, improving safety and creating a better experience for everyone.
That’s what motivates my research. I develop artificial intelligence and connected vehicle technologies that help transportation systems operate more efficiently and safely. Instead of individual vehicles making decisions independently, we explore ways for vehicles and infrastructure to communicate and cooperate with one another. This can reduce congestion, prevent traffic bottlenecks, lower fuel consumption and emissions and improve overall traffic flow.
What is your favorite thing about Lawrence and the University of Kansas? What about your home country do you miss the most?
One of my favorite things about Lawrence is its welcoming and close-knit community. It’s a city that’s large enough to have plenty of things to do, but small enough that it’s easy to get around and connect with people. I also enjoy the beautiful campus at the University of Kansas and the collaborative environment among faculty and students. Everyone has been incredibly supportive since I joined KU, and it’s been a wonderful place to build my research program and work with talented students.
What I miss most about China is my parents and my sister, especially since they are so far away. I also miss the food! Every region of China has its own unique cuisine, and there are many dishes from my hometown that aren’t easy to find here. Whenever I go back to visit, spending time with my family and enjoying those familiar foods are always at the top of my list.
What drew you to KU to teach?
I was excited by the opportunity to join a department with a strong reputation in civil engineering and a supportive, collaborative culture. During the interview process, I was impressed by how welcoming everyone was and how enthusiastic the faculty were about working together. That gave me confidence that KU would be a place where I could grow as both a researcher and an educator.
I was also excited about the opportunity to build a research program in intelligent transportation systems and work with outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. KU has a strong tradition of excellence in engineering, and I saw tremendous potential for interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, transportation, and data science.
Are you rooting for anyone in the World Cup? Has it brought up any memories or traditions from home for you?
I’ll definitely be cheering for Argentina in this World Cup. I’ve always enjoyed watching their style of play, and there’s something special about the energy and passion they bring to the game. Of course, with players like Messi, it’s hard not to be a fan. Beyond that, the World Cup is really about enjoying great soccer and appreciating how it brings people from all over the world together.
Growing up in China, the World Cup was always a big event. Even with the time difference, it was common for friends and family to stay up late to watch matches together. I have fond memories of those nights, watching games, sharing snacks, and discussing the highlights afterward. It was a fun way to connect with people and experience a sense of global community through sports.