Graduate School Newsblog

I am deeply honored to receive the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship and would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this recognition. I am especially thankful to my advisors, Dr. Darrel Robinette, and Dr. Jeff Naber, for their guidance, mentorship, and unwavering support throughout my Ph.D. journey. I also appreciate the support of the Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics Department and APS Labs, whose resources and collaborative environment have played a vital role in my research development.

My Ph.D. journey at Michigan Technological University began in Fall 2021 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics, where I have focused on advancing intelligent and energy-efficient connected and automated vehicle (CAV) systems. It was a wonderful experience to be part of the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E NEXTCAR II project, targeting 30% energy savings for PHEV light-duty connected and automated vehicles. My research integrates advanced perception, real-time vehicle modeling, and control strategies to improve the performance and sustainability of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs/PHEVs) in dynamic driving environments.

A major focus of my work has been the development of dynamic mass and road load learning algorithms for EV and PHEV platforms, achieving estimation accuracy within 3%. I have also implemented automated vehicle following strategies that leverage advanced perception systems, resulting in energy savings of up to 15%. Additionally, my work on optimizing vehicle approach and departure strategies at signalized intersections has demonstrated energy savings of up to 35% per signal, contributing significantly to energy-efficient urban mobility.

As I enter the final phase of my doctoral studies, I look forward to completing my research and pursuing a career at the intersection of intelligent transportation, energy systems, and autonomy—where I aim to contribute to sustainable and transformative solutions in mobility.

I am profoundly grateful to the Graduate Dean Advisory Panel for honoring me with the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Award. This recognition represents not only acknowledgment of my research contributions but also provides essential support during this critical phase of my academic journey, enabling me to fully dedicate my efforts toward finalizing research that addresses critical safety challenges in high-risk industrial environments.

My academic journey began in the field of mining engineering. Throughout my professional development, I recognized the transformative impact of modern digital technologies on engineering disciplines. This insight highlighted the transformative potential of computational approaches in addressing complex engineering challenges, prompting me to expand my expertise through a master’s degree in computer science in 2022. Acquiring this interdisciplinary skill set deepened my interest in developing computational solutions for complex engineering problems through my research at the National Center of Artificial Intelligence.

To further strengthen my academic foundation and pursue pioneering research in this emerging field, I enrolled in the Ph.D. program in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Tech in August 2022. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, I have been able to pursue advanced research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and mining engineering.

My dissertation focuses on developing specialized large language models designed to comprehend and interpret safety-specific language. This work addresses a significant gap in occupational health and safety management, where current approaches often fail to fully capture the nuanced language present in safety documentation and incident analyses. By applying Large Language Models to safety domains, my research aims to enhance risk assessment protocols, incident analysis methodologies, and hazard identification processes across various industrial sectors.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Graduate Dean Award Advisory Panel for granting me this Finishing Fellowship. This support enables me to dedicate my full attention to completing my dissertation and advancing the practical applications of my research findings. I am particularly appreciative of Dr. Chatterjee’s mentorship throughout my doctoral studies, as well as the comprehensive support provided by the faculty and staff of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences.

As I conclude this phase of my academic journey, I anticipate continuing to explore the integration of artificial intelligence with engineering practices to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency in industrial environments.

I began my PhD journey at Michigan Technological University with a desire to make healthcare more accessible through low-cost, reliable diagnostics. My research focuses on developing molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) biosensors—customizable, shelf-stable devices designed as alternatives to traditional antibody-based systems. By tailoring the polymerization conditions and integrating nanomaterials, I aim to enhance the sensitivity and stability of these sensors for use in point-of-care applications.

This work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to timely medical testing. MIP sensors hold great promise for use in underserved areas, where refrigeration or specialized lab equipment may not be available. Their potential to address healthcare gaps in remote or low-resource settings is one of the most exciting parts of my research.

During my time at Michigan Tech, I have published two articles on MIP-based cortisol and lactate sensors, with a third currently pending publication. I’ve had the honor of receiving the Health Research Institute Fellowship and several presentation awards. Beyond research, I’ve served as a Graduate Student Government representative, helping organize events such as the Alumni Poster Session, 3-Minute Thesis, and Graduate Research Colloquium—experiences that have strengthened my commitment to supporting the graduate student community.

One of the highlights of my time at MTU has been serving as a teaching assistant and mentoring students in our lab. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a future career in academia, where I hope to foster curiosity and hands-on learning in the next generation of engineers.

I am sincerely grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this fellowship. I’d also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Yixin Liu, the Chemical Engineering Department, and my friends and family for their unwavering support.