M.A., University of California, Berkeley

B.A., Duke Kunshan University

Shengyue (Carly) Zhu is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Art and Architectural History. Her research explores the intersections of art, culture, and society, with a particular focus on Buddhist art and its role in the communication and exchange along the Silk Road.

Carly examines how Buddhist miraculous images in medieval China shaped everyday religiosity, considering the material, architectural, and narrative dimensions of these objects. Her work highlights how Buddhist art circulated and transformed across regions, revealing the complex cultural and social networks of the Silk Road. Beyond her research, Carly has experience in museum work and digital cultural heritage projects.