Adnan Hilal, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2026
Growing up, I was always interested in solving practical engineering problems that could improve people’s everyday lives. That interest led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, where I study residential building electrification and energy efficiency in cold-climate communities. My research combines building energy modeling, machine learning, and local community data to identify practical and cost-effective pathways for transitioning homes from fossil-fuel heating to cold-climate heat pumps.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my research has been collaborating with community members, industry partners, and interdisciplinary researchers to develop solutions that can be applied in practice. Through my work, I hope to support more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy systems while helping rural communities navigate the transition to low-carbon heating technologies.
I am sincerely grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this recognition. I also thank my advisor, Dr. Ana Dyreson, for her mentorship and support throughout my doctoral studies, as well as my colleagues, collaborators, and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for providing an outstanding research environment.