# Manchester researcher named to MIT Technology Review's Innovators 35 Under 35 global list > Source: > Published: 2026-09-15 09:09:29+00:00 # Manchester researcher named to MIT Technology Review's Innovators 35 Under 35 global list ## Dr Zhonghua Zheng has been named to the 2026 MIT Technology Review Innovators 35 Under 35 global list, recognising his pioneering work using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to improve urban climate and climate-energy modelling. The annual global Innovators Under 35 list celebrates 35 young scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world whose work is shaping the future of science and technology. Dr Zheng, Associate Professor in Data Science and Environmental Analytics at The University of Manchester and Co-Lead for Environmental Data Science & AI at Manchester Environmental Research Institute (MERI), was recognised in the Climate and Energy category for developing AI-enabled approaches that help improve understanding of how cities respond to climate change. His research combines AI with physics-based climate science to create faster, more accurate simulations of urban environments. These tools can help researchers, city planners and policymakers better understand challenges such as extreme heat, energy use and climate resilience in rapidly growing cities. One of Dr Zheng's key innovations is UCformer, a physics-guided AI framework designed to improve the representation of cities in climate models. His work has also advanced the integration of urban processes into Earth system models and led to the development of open-source, cloud-based tools that make sophisticated urban climate simulations more accessible to researchers and stakeholders worldwide. The recognition places Dr Zheng among a distinguished group of innovators from around the world. Previous University of Manchester researchers recognised by MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 programme include Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, who was named to the list in 2008 and later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, and Professor Radha Boya, who was recognised in 2017. It’s a great honour to be included in the MIT Technology Review Innovators 35 Under 35 list. Cities are on the front line of climate change and understanding how they respond is essential for creating more sustainable and resilient communities. My work aims to combine the power of AI, computing, and climate science to provide the insights needed for better planning and decision-making in a rapidly changing world. Read more about Dr Zhonghua Zheng’s research: - [__https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/helping-cities-tackle-heatwaves-and-air-pollution-with-ai-innovation/__](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/helping-cities-tackle-heatwaves-and-air-pollution-with-ai-innovation/) - [__https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/enhanced-climate-models-to-reveal-how-our-cities-are-driving-and-feeling-the-effects-of-climate-change/__](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/enhanced-climate-models-to-reveal-how-our-cities-are-driving-and-feeling-the-effects-of-climate-change/) - [__https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/heat-from-traffic-is-contributing-to-rise-in-city-temperatures-new-study-finds/__](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/heat-from-traffic-is-contributing-to-rise-in-city-temperatures-new-study-finds/) - [__https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/harvesting-rainwater-from-rooftops-could-help-cities-stay-cool-and-cut-the-number-of-heatwave-days/__](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/harvesting-rainwater-from-rooftops-could-help-cities-stay-cool-and-cut-the-number-of-heatwave-days/) - [__https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/new-research-calls-for-global-action-on-micro-and-nanoplastics-in-the-atmosphere/__](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/new-research-calls-for-global-action-on-micro-and-nanoplastics-in-the-atmosphere/)