Zhiyang Yao, PhD, MBA
About Zhiyang Yao, PhD, MBA
Zhiyang Yao, PhD, MBA, serves as the Lead Data Scientist at Electrify America, where he has developed a strategic plan for data monetization and optimized forecasting models for electric vehicle charging stations. With a background in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in data science across various industries, he has held significant roles at PwC, Cadillac, and Johnson Electric.
Work at Electrify America
Zhiyang Yao has served as the Lead Data Scientist at Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), since 2018. In this role, he developed a five-year strategic plan for data monetization, which focused on both internal and external channels. He regularly reported progress to the C-suite team, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives. His responsibilities also included implementing strategies for data retrieval and sharing, as well as managing data terms in legal contracts. Yao has led multi-million dollar projects such as 'Data as Service' and 'Insight as Service', which supported various industries including original equipment manufacturers (OEM), map providers, and utilities.
Education and Expertise
Zhiyang Yao holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, where he studied from 1999 to 2002. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgetown University between 2012 and 2014. Prior to his Ph.D., he completed both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering at Tsinghua University, studying from 1990 to 1995 and 1995 to 1998, respectively. His educational background provides a strong foundation in engineering and business, which he applies in his data science role.
Background
Zhiyang Yao has a diverse professional background that spans academia and industry. He worked as an Assistant Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2003 to 2007. Prior to his current position, he served as a Senior Data Scientist at Cadillac from 2016 to 2018, focusing on corporate strategy and data science. His earlier experience includes a role as a Senior Associate at PwC in the Washington D.C. Metro Area from 2014 to 2015 and as an Engineering Manager at Johnson Electric in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2011. He also gained practical experience as a Summer Intern at Eaton Corporation in 2013 and as a Research Associate at the University of Maryland from 1999 to 2003.
Achievements
Zhiyang Yao has achieved significant milestones in his career, particularly in the field of data science. He optimized forecast models for electric vehicle charging station utilization using machine learning algorithms, which aided in site planning. He also provided a model to forecast electric vehicle density at the census tract level across the USA. Additionally, he led a team in collaboration with Georgetown's MAB program to propose new revenue streams for Charge Point Operators. His work has contributed to advancements in data-driven decision-making within the automotive and energy sectors.