He is an internationally known scholar in suicidology and has published both in China and the United States as well as other places of the world on social and cultural effects on suicide. He is a social scientist with numerous grants from various sources including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Professor Zhang teaches social psychology, sociological theory, social medicine, and research methods. He won the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2002, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service in 2005, Buffalo State President's Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creativity in 2007, and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities in 2012. Dr. Zhang is also Director of the Center for China Studies on campus.