Rate My Professor Bob Zeng

Bob Zeng, known fully as Bob Zhiwei Zeng, serves as Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering Technology in the Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He joined the faculty in 2021 following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba, where he collaborated with industrial partners on research and development projects in machinery systems for sustainable agricultural production. Zeng earned his Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering and a Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from the University of Manitoba. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwest A&F University in China. As a licensed professional engineer, his primary expertise lies in machinery systems modeling, testing, automation, and numerical simulation, with a focus on soil-machine-plant interactions and precision agriculture technologies.

Zeng's research advances agricultural equipment design through the integration of digital modeling, discrete element method (DEM) simulations, and advanced manufacturing techniques. His projects address critical challenges in dairy farming, including efficient manure land application via innovative tillage systems and the development of Dairy Forage Fractionation (DFF) systems to optimize nutrient management. He has received multiple faculty research fellowships from the Dairy Innovation Hub, funding initiatives in 2023 and 2025. Key publications include "Modeling Soil–Plant–Machine Dynamics Using Discrete Element Method: A Review" (Agronomy, 2023), "Review on DEM Simulation of Soil-Plant Interactions: Challenges and Opportunities", "Leveraging Numerical Simulations to Design a Liquid Manure Applicator", and "Efficient Calibration of Discrete Element Method Parameters" (2026). In recognition of his innovative teaching, outreach, and collaboration, Zeng was awarded the Keith Wurtz Award for Teaching Excellence in 2025. He mentors undergraduate students in hands-on projects, such as improving the efficiency of older combines for small farms, fostering teamwork and practical research skills that enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.