Haoyu Zhang

Research Interests

  • Articular cartilage wear and damage
  • Treatment of osteoarthritis
  • Cartilage biomechanics
  • Medical device design

Education

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 2022
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 2024
  • M.Phil. Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 2026

About

Haoyu is deeply passionate about biomechanics and joined the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab to study the mechanical behavior of biological tissues. His research focuses on cartilage biomechanics, particularly the mechanisms of wear, fatigue damage, and failure in articular cartilage, as well as strategies to prevent or treat osteoarthritis. His recent work investigates how synovial fluid protects cartilage from mechanical damage under cyclical loading, helping to clarify the fundamental mechanisms that maintain joint health.

Currently, his primary project involves developing a 3D-printed biological knee joint designed to restore function in severely damaged joints. This approach aims to create living, functional replacements that integrate with the body, offering a potential alternative to traditional joint replacement implants.

Beyond research, Haoyu enjoys staying active through sports, including tennis, badminton, squash, golf, and ping pong.

Full-Length Papers

Zhang, H., Kaltalioglu, S., Audric, J., Sakhrani, N., Hung, C. T., & Ateshian, G. A. (2026). Synovial fluid delays delamination wear in immature bovine cartilage under pure cyclical compressive loading. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2026.02.004

Kroupa, K., Kepecs, R., Zhang, H., Weiss, J. A., & others. (2026). Intrinsic viscoelasticity of type II collagen contributes to the viscoelastic response of immature bovine articular cartilage under unconfined compression stress relaxation. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4070964

Ateshian, G. A., Zhang, H., & Hung, C. T. (2025). Synovial fluid protects cartilage against fatigue failure in cyclical compression. Annals of Anatomy – Anatomischer Anzeiger. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152768