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.