Yaning Zhang is a dual PhD student at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Building and Real Estate and Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Management. With a background in civil engineering (BEng, NEFU, 2019) and management (2019–2020), he focuses his research on work-package optimisation, resource-constrained project scheduling, and carbon-aware construction. His work integrates advanced methodologies such as deep reinforcement learning, heuristic/metaheuristic algorithms, and blockchain-enabled IoT-BIM. Yaning has published in prominent journals, including Automation in Construction and Expert Systems with Applications, and has presented at international conferences. His research has been supported by grants from ECF, RGC GRF, NSFC, and PolyU. Among his accolades are NPU’s National Scholarship (2023) and best paper awards at the 27th–28th ISACMRE. Yaning’s dedication to sustainable and efficient construction practices positions him as a promising researcher in the field of construction engineering and management.