Zhengyao (William) Wang received his B.Tech. in automation systems engineering from McMaster University in 2024. In January 2025, he began his M.A.Sc. in electrical and computer engineering at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC), joining the electrified powertrain team in collaboration with Stellantis under the supervision of Dr. Ali Emadi. His current research focuses on model-based control strategies for electric vehicle powertrains and traction systems.
Full Profile
Zhengyao (William) Wang is a master of applied science student in electrical and computer engineering at McMaster University, working under the supervision of Dr. Ali Emadi at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC). His work contributes to the electrified powertrain research team in collaboration with Stellantis, where he focuses on control strategies and hardware-in-the-loop validation for next-generation electric vehicle (EV) powertrain and traction systems.
Driven by a strong interest in electromechanical systems, Zhengyao (William) Wang completed McMaster’s automation systems engineering program, earning a chemical engineering technology advanced diploma along with a business management certificate. His interest in traction system design deepened through graduate coursework in power converters and control of adjustable-speed drives. Outside the classroom, he’s a dedicated rail enthusiast who studies and rides electric trains whenever possible, blending personal curiosity with technical passion.
For his undergraduate capstone project, Zhengyao led the development of a CAN-based SCARA pick-and-place robot, integrating STM32-based closed-loop stepper control with a custom Python/Qt6 GUI and a computer vision system. This work showcased his ability to integrate embedded hardware, real-time control, and automation software into a production-ready prototype.
During a six-month internship at KUKA Robotics China in 2022, Zhengyao developed PROFEZIA—a Python/MATLAB-based tool for automating motor selection and performance simulation. He was also responsible for traction motor selection and setting up test benches for motors and resolvers, which enhanced his expertise in data acquisition, embedded testing platforms, and DAQ-device integration.
From 2023 to 2024, Zhengyao worked as a research assistant with the electrified powertrain team under Dr. Ali Emadi and Dr. Atriya Biswas at CERC@MARC. His contributions included porting a hybrid electric vehicle supervisory controller to NXP S32 hardware using the Model-Based Design Toolbox, building a Simulink-based CAN-encoding framework to replace DBC workflows, and supporting battery-in-the-loop experiments. His work was documented in a whitebook that is now a reference for other team members.
Now a full graduate member of MARC’s electrified powertrain research team, Zhengyao continues to electric drive module control, vehicle dynamometer applications, and hardware-in-the-loop validation platforms for next-generation electrified powertrain and traction systems.