Ruichen Zhang

Ruichen Zhang

Research Fellow

Ruichen Zhang (张锐晨)

Hi! I am currently a Research Fellow at the College of Computing and Data Science, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, working with Prof. Dusit Niyato (President’s Chair Professor, FIEEE). Prior to this, I obtained my PhD degree at Beijing Jiaotong University in Sept. 2023, Beijing, China, under the guidance of Prof. Ke Xiong and Prof. Yang Lu.

I am also honored to serve as a Managing Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering (IEEE TNSE), assisting the Editor-in-Chief and the entire editorial board in supporting the journal and the broader research community. My research primarily focuses on Agentic AI for networking, where autonomous, goal-driven agents leverage LLMs/foundation models, tool use, and reinforcement learning to enable closed-loop network autonomy (e.g., perception, planning, decision-making, and action) for next-generation wireless and edge networks. This includes generative AI-enabled networking, LLM-empowered networking, and RL-enabled wireless communication systems for tasks such as network operation, resource orchestration, and adaptive optimization in dynamic environments. If you are interested in our work, you may refer to this repository for the latest updates of our group: https://jyc5559.github.io/GAINET.github.io/ . In addition, I also develop novel AI models to extract meaningful scientific insights in the plasma turbulence domain; related updates can be found here: https://ntufusion.github.io/

If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating with me, please feel free to email me (ruichen.zhang@ntu.edu.sg)!

Representative papers (first author and corresponding author papers)

For all publications, please refer to Publications or my google scholar.

  1. H. Du, R. Zhang, Y. Liu, J. Wang, Y. Lin, Z. Li, D. Niyato, et. al, “Enhancing Deep Reinforcement Learning: A Tutorial on Generative Diffusion Models in Network Optimization”, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2024. (IF: 34.4, An1) (Co-first author)

  2. R. Zhang, G. Liu, Y. Liu, C. Zhao, J. Wang, Y. Xu, D. Niyato, et. al, “Toward Edge General Intelligence with Agentic AI and Agentification: Concepts, Technologies, and Future Directions”, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2024. (IF: 34.4, An1)

  3. R. Zhang, H. Du, Y. Liu, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, A. Jamalipour, and D. I. Kim, “Generative AI Agents with Large Language Model for Satellite Networks via a Mixture of Experts Transmission”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 2024. (IF: 13.8, CCF A, An1)

  4. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, Y. Lu, P. Fan, D. W. K. Ng, and K. B. Letaief, “Energy Efficiency Maximization in RIS-assisted SWIPT Networks with RSMA: A PPO-based Approach”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 1413-1430, May 2023. (IF: 13.8, CCF A, An1)
    • Selected by ESI Highly Cited Paper

  5. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, Y. Lu, B. Gao, P. Fan, D and K. B. Letaief, “Joint coordinated beamforming and power splitting ratio optimization in MU-MISO SWIPT-enabled HetNets: A multi-agent DDQN-based approach”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 677-693, Feb. 2022. (IF: 13.8, CCF A, An1)

  6. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, Y. Lu, D. W. K. Ng, P. Fan, and K. B. Letaief, “SWIPT-enabled Cell-Free Massive MIMO-NOMA Networks: A Machine Learning based Approach”, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, accepted, 2024. (IF: 8.9, An1)

  7. R. Zhang, C. Zhao, H. Du, D. Niyato, J. Wang, S. Sawadsitang, X. Shen, and D. I. Kim, “Embodied AI-Enhanced Vehicular Networks: An Integrated Vision Language Models and Reinforcement Learning Method”, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 2024. (IF: 7.7, CCF A, An2)

  8. R. Zhang, C. Zhao, H. Du, D. Niyato, J. Wang, S. Sawadsitang, X. Shen, and D. I. Kim, Compact LLM Deployment and World Model Assisted Offloading in Mobile Edge Computing, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 2025. (IF: 7.7, CCF A, An2)

  9. R. Zhang, X. Luo, J. He, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, and Y. Li, “Covert Prompt Transmission for Secure Large Language Model Services”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 2025. (IF: 13.8, CCF A, An1)

  10. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, W. Guo, X. Yang, P. Fan and K. B. Letaief, “Q-Learning-Based Adaptive Power Control in Wireless RF Energy Harvesting Heterogeneous Networks”, IEEE System Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 1861-1872, June 2021. (IF: 4, An2)

  11. R. Zhang, H. Du, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, A. Jamalipour, P. Zhang, D. I. Kim, “Generative AI for Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks “, IEEE Wireless Communications, accepted, 2024. (IF: 10.9, An1)

  12. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, H. Du, D. Niyato, J. Kang, X. Shen and H. Poor, “Generative AI-enabled Vehicular Networks: Fundamentals, Framework, and Case Study”, IEEE Network, 2024. (IF: 6.8, An2) • Selected by IEEE Network Popular Documents - Jul. and Aug. 2024

  13. R. Zhang, H. Du, Yinqiu Liu, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Sumei Sun, X. Shen and H. Poor, “Interactive AI with Retrieval-Augmented Generation for Next Generation Networking”, IEEE Network, 2024. (IF: 6.8, An2)

  14. R. Zhang, J. He, X. Luo, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, Y. Li, B. Sikdar, “Toward Democratized Generative AI in Next-Generation Mobile Edge Networks”, IEEE Network, 2023. (IF: 6.8, An2)

  15. R. Zhang, S. Tang, Y. Liu, D. Niyato, Z. Xiong, S. Sun, S. Mao, Z. Han, “Toward Agentic AI: Generative Information Retrieval Inspired Intelligent Communications and Networking”, IEEE Communications Magazine, 2024. (IF: 8.3, An1)

  16. R. Zhang, H. Du, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, P. Zhang, D. I. Kim, “Optimizing Generative AI Networking: A Dual Perspective with Multi-Agent Systems and Mixture of Experts”, IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 2024. (IF: 5.8, An2)

  17. R. Zhang, K. Xiong, X. Tian, Y. Lu, P. Fan and K. B. Letaief, “Inverse Reinforcement learning Meets Power Allocation in Multi-user Celluar Networks”, IEEE INFOCOM WKS, 2022.

  18. R. Zhang, J. Wang, Y. Liu, G. Sun, D. Niyato, S. Mao, and S. Sun, STELLAR: Large Language Model-Assisted Optimization for Satellite Networks with RSMA, IEEE Globecom, 2025.

  19. H. Du, R. Zhang, D. Niyato, J. Kang, Z. Xiong, S. Cui, X. Shen, D. I. Kim, “Reinforcement Learning With LLMs Interaction For Distributed Diffusion Model Services”, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, accepted, 2025. (IF: 18.6, An1)

  20. J. Cao, M. Zhou, R. Zhang^, D. Niyato, W. Nie, Z. Han, “Robust Optical Quantum Imaging Framework with Entangled Photons in Oceanic Turbulent Environments”, IEEE Transactions on Communications, accepted, 2024. (IF: 7.2, An2)

  21. Y. Guo, J. Fan, R. Zhang^, B. Zhang, D. W. K. Ng, D. Niyato, D. I. Kim, “Secrecy Energy Efficiency Maximization in IRS-Assisted VLC MISO Networks with RSMA: A DS-PPO approach”, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, accepted, 2024. (IF: 8.9, An1)

  22. H. Hu, R. Zhang^, Z. Ding, F. Jiang, R. Jiang and D. Niyato, “Optimizing AoI in RIS-aided Wireless Powered Backscatter-Active Communication Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025 (IF 6.1, An2).

  23. Z. Ma, R. Zhang^, B. Ai, Z. Lian, L. Zeng, D. Niyato, and Y. Peng “Deep Reinforcement Learning for Energy Efficiency Maximization in RSMA-IRS-Assisted ISAC System,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025 (IF 6.1, An2).
  24. H. Hu, Haizhou Tang, R. Zhang^, F. Jiang, Z. Ding, and D. Niyato, “Joint Scheduling and Power Control in AoI-Oriented WP-IoT Networks: An HVF-Based PPO Approach,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025 (IF 6.1, An2).
  25. H. Hu, Qiuyu Yu, R. Zhang^, Yinghui Ye, F. Jiang, J. Jiang, and D. Niyato, “Minimizing Energy Consumption in UAV-Assisted Maritime Wireless Powered Networks With Constrained Age of Information,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025 (IF 6.1, An2).

Awards

  1. Best Paper Award, IEEE Trustcom, 2025
  2. Best Paper Award, IEEE IWCMC, 2025
  3. Best Workshop Paper Award, IEEE IWCMC, 2025
  4. 首都前沿学术成果, 北京市科学技术协会, 2024
  5. Best Paper Award, Electric Power, 2024
  6. Best Paper Award, Electric Power, 2023
  7. Third Prize in the 19th China Post-Graduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling, Association of Chinese Graduate Education, 2021
  8. Multiple Scholarships, including National Scholarship, Enterprise Scholarships, and University Honors, 2014–2018; 2018-2023

Academic Services

  1. Managing Editor: IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering (IEEE TNSE).
  2. Editor: IEEE Transactions on Communications (IEEE TCOM).
  3. Lead Guest Editor: IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking Special Issue on “Agentic AI for Communications and Networking with Embodied Intelligence”.
  4. Guest Editor*: IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence Special Issue on “Sustainable Large AI Models for Edge Intelligence”.
  5. Symposium Co-Chair: IEEE WCSP “Wireless Networking, Services, and Security Symposium”.
  6. Workshop Lead Chair: IEEE Globecom “Agentic AI Empowered Wireless Communications and Networking”.
  7. TPC Member, IEEE GLOBECOM 2024, IEEE PIMRC 2024, Track 2 - Networking & MAC, etc.
  8. Reviewer: IEEE JSAC, COMST, TMC, TCOM, TWC, IOTJ, TCCN, TIFS, TVT, WCL, etc.

“The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for！”

———《For Whom the Bell Tolls》 written by Ernest Hemingway