Zhiru received his PhD from UCLA in 2007 under the supervision of Prof. Jason Cong.  Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University.  His research investigates new algorithms, methodologies, and tools to extend the frontiers of design automation for high-performance and energy-efficient computer systems.  His research has been recognized with the UCLA Rising Professional Achievement Award (2018), a DARPA Young Faculty Award (2015), the IEEE CEDA Ernest S. Kuh Early Career Award (2015), an NSF CAREER Award (2015). Prior to joining Cornell, Zhiru co-founded AutoESL Design Technologies, Inc. with Prof. Jason Cong, Dr. Yiping Fan, and Dr. Jing Chang. AutoESL was acquired by Xilinx in 2011. Its high-level synthesis tool is now known as Vivado HLS, widely used in the industry.

The Rising Professional Achievement Award honors the early career achievements of alumni who are under the age of 40,  with impactful accomplishments in academia, industry or entrepreneurship; contributions to the engineering profession; a demonstrated commitment to mentorship; and notable service to the community and the profession.