Dr. Quan Zhang of School of Mines
The International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM) recently announced the results of the 2025 Rocha Medal competition. Dr. Quan Zhang from the School of Mines was awarded the Rocha Medal Runner-Up for his doctoral dissertation titled "Investigation on Principles and Applications of Directional Rock Breaking by Instantaneous Expansion." Nominated by the Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering (CSRME), Dr. Zhang earned this international honor through outstanding research achievements. This marks the first time a faculty member from our university has received this award since its establishment in 1982.
The award ceremony will be held at the ISRM European Rock Mechanics Symposium (Eurock 2025) in 2025, where Dr. Zhang will receive the Runner-Up Certificate signed by the ISRM President.
Dr. Quan Zhang obtained his Ph.D. from China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) in June 2022 under the supervision of Academician Manchao He of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He joined CUMT in the same year, focusing on efficient rock breaking and non-pillar mining with gob-side entry formed by roof cutting and pressure relief (NPRM-GEFRC). He has secured 10 research projects including the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scholars, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province for Young Scholars, Jiangsu Provincial Youth Science and Technology Talent Support Project, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (General Program), and Open Fund of State Key Laboratory. He has published 16 SCI/EI-indexed papers as first/corresponding author in journals including International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, holds 14 patents (as primary/secondary inventor), and possesses 1 software copyright. His honors include the 2025 Rocha Medal Runner-Up, ZGC Green Mine Industry Alliance Youth Talent Support Plan (2024), Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology Youth Talent Support Project (2023), CSRME Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (2023), Jiangsu Provincial Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (2023), and ZGC Green Mine Industry Alliance Top 10 Graduate Thesis Award (2023).Dr. Zhang serves as Council Member of CSRME's Committee on Intelligent Mining and Strata Control in Coal Mines, Committee Member of CSRME's Technical Committee on Low-Carbon Energy Rock Mechanics and Engineering, and Committee Member of the Nonferrous Metals Society of China's Committee on Deep Mining Construction and Resource Development. He is also a Youth Editorial Board Member for 7 journals including International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, Geohazard Mechanics, Deep Resources Engineering, Journal of Engineering Science, and Journal of China University of Mining & Technology. His research outcomes have been applied in coal mines, tunnels, gold mines, and phosphate mines.
The Rocha Medal was established in 1982 by ISRM to honor the contributions of its late President Manuel Rocha, aiming to encourage young scholars in rock mechanics. As ISRM's highest distinction for doctoral thesis research in rock mechanics and engineering, the medal is awarded annually to only one Champion and one or two Runners-Up worldwide.
News Source: Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering
