Written by Belle Vang, COSS Communications Student Assistant
The College of Social Sciences, would like to introduce the newest addition to the college.
Dr. Yu Zhang is joining us as an assistant professor in Criminology. She earned her Ph.D from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and previously taught at State University of New York where her class emphasis was on Criminal Justice Organization & Management and Police in America.
Zhang’s passion in criminology focuses on achieving justice for everyone and is reflected on her research on policing and computational criminology.
To better introduce Zhang to the faculty, staff, and students at Fresno State, she did a Q+A with us.
Question: How will your research make an impact here at Fresno State?
Answer: I have been doing research in policing for years, and the focus of one of my National Science Foundation research projects focuses on the implicit bias of law enforcement officers. My colleague and I established a simulation lab where police officers conduct shooting tests. We measure their reactions and speed of shooting decisions and explore the impact of implicit bias on police officers’ decision-making process. I hope this research can contribute to police training in the near future.
Question: What are you looking forward to the most here at Fresno State?
Answer: I have been impressed by the three D’s (Discovery, Diversity, Distinction) of Fresno State since the first time I visited the campus. I look forward to contributing to the diversity of Fresno State and help my students achieve distinction through discovery.
Question: How do you feel about joining the Criminology Department?
Answer: During my interview, I met many of my current colleagues in the department of Criminology, and I have been impressed by their diverse and distinguished backgrounds. I look forward to working with all my colleagues for the bright future of our department!
Question: What’s a fun fact that people may not know about you?
Answer: I’ve never lived on the west coast, so on the first day I arrived in August, I felt a “hot culture” shock at 107 degrees!
Fresno State College of Social Sciences 