Charlie Jianzhong Zhang: 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award recipient

PhD ECE ’03
Executive vice president, Samsung Research America

An electrical and computer engineer whose exemplary leadership in wireless communications has shaped global standards and advanced mobile network innovation.

Charlie Zhang came to UW-Madison to study power electronics engineering in 1998, but once he arrived, he was exposed to a wide range of topics. One of those was wireless communication, at the time an emerging field. “It was very exciting to me to have this technology that allows you to talk to anybody, anytime, anywhere,” he says. “That’s why I switched majors.”

It was a fateful choice both for Zhang and the wireless industry. Over the last three decades, he has helped wireless networks evolve from the first 1G systems to the powerful 5G networks that have redefined society. Now, he is at the forefront of developing 6G and other emerging network paradigms.

After working in technical roles at Nokia and Motorola, Zhang joined Samsung in 2007, leading various teams in research efforts on cellular air interface, radio-frequency prototyping, and international standardization. He has also led global initiatives researching 5G and 6G networks and is currently shaping future telecommunications systems designed for the AI era.

“If you told me in 1998 that everyone in 2026 would be carrying what is essentially a small supercomputer in the palm of their hand everywhere they go, I would have said you are crazy,” says Zhang. “And we’re still improving. We are bringing augmented reality and adding AI capability on top of the phone everyone owns. We are not done yet.”

What do you enjoy about your career?

The biggest thing that I enjoy is the ability to learn something new every day. Even though this field has been around for more than 30 years, it’s still evolving. It’s still very dynamic and really fascinating.

What advice would you give to today’s students?

Stay curious. Curiosity is really what drives me as an engineer to learn new technology and to overcome all the challenges. You’re in one of the best schools in the nation, in the world. Make use of the time. University is the time to experiment, try different ideas, go join clubs, have internships. Just try things out and see which one excites you the most.

Which do you like best?

Camp Randall Stadium or the Kohl Center or the UW Field House?
Camp Randall. I lived next to it for two years.

Favorite Babcock ice cream flavor?
Vanilla. Always vanilla.

UW Arboretum or Picnic Point?
Picnic Point

Favorite Madison experience?
I met my wife in Madison while she was pursuing her PhD at the McArdle Laboratory, not far from Engineering Hall. We have many wonderful memories of walking around campus and along Lake Mendota, and spending time on State Street. We were married at the synagogue in James Madison Park on a beautiful summer day in 2003.

Favorite campus experience?
I was captain of a soccer team for a couple years, and we won the intramural championship, which was not an easy feat because my team was mainly graduate students and junior professors in our late 20s and early 30s. We went up against 19-year-olds and won the whole thing, so that’s something I’m proud of.