Graduate Student of the Month

Janbazialamdari’s research centers on precision agriculture, smart sensor systems and machine learning for soil condition monitoring. She applies machine learning, signal pattern recognition and computer vision to data from soil-related sensors to support real-time decision-making in tillage operations with the goal of developing automated systems that maximize the efficient use of cultivators and automated tillage tools for the future. Janbazialamdari is from Tabriz, Iran, and her hobbies include cooking and dancing. Her favorite foods are zereshk polo ba morgh (Persian barberry rice with chicken) and dolmeh, and her top bucket list item is to travel around the world.

Adeoye’s research focuses on alloy catalyst design for diameter-controlled synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes, or SWCNTs, and dry reforming of methane. He is motivated by the need to understand how alloy catalyst composition, structure and support interactions govern SWCNT properties such as chirality, diameter and their electronic type. He is equally interested in how the various effects of alloy catalysts, such as their synergistic, electronic, geometric and stabilizing effects influence their catalytic performance and reduce coking in the case of dry reforming of methane. Adeoye is from Nigeria, and his hobbies include listening to music and reading. His favorite food is jollof rice, and his top bucket list items are to visit all U.S. states and learn to play the piano.

Alfaidi’s research focuses on using analytical and numerical models to enhance the flexural and shear capacity of reinforced concrete structures through the application of Fiber Reinforced Polymers, or FRP. He aims to deepen the understanding of the plausible contributions and limitations of FRP materials and to develop innovative ideas — supported by parametric studies — that further advance their strengthening potential. Alfaidi is from Saudi Arabia, and his hobbies include reading novels, watching action films, camping and traveling. His favorite food is lamb mandi, and his top bucket list item is to do a cross-country road trip from the west coast to the east coast.

Dalal’s research focuses on developing machine learning methods to reduce hallucinations in large language model outputs for knowledge graph construction from unstructured data. By improving the fidelity of extracted entities and relations, this work aims to increase trust in self-supervised language models and make their behavior more explainable. Dalal is from New Delhi, India, and his hobbies include going to the gym and trying new food. His favorite food is momos, and his top bucket list item is to road trip around the Grand Canyon.

Fu’s research explores the intersection of large language models and hardware security. He develops domain-specific AI models and hardware-aware optimization frameworks that enhance the security, reliability and efficiency of AI running on edge. Fu is from China, and his favorite hobby is traveling. His favorite food is hotpot, and his top bucket list item is to see the Northern Lights.

Al Mansour’s research aims to develop a multi-objective optimization model that integrates goal programming with the cell transmission model to manage afternoon commuter demand. It will optimize the release schedule of major traffic sources to reduce network congestion, demonstrating that effective demand management is possible even without detailed origin-destination data. Al-Mansour is from Kuwait, and his hobbies include watching movies, running and weightlifting. His favorite food is his wife’s Japanese curry, and his top bucket list item is to summit Mt. Everest.

Heidarshenas’ research focuses on two-phase flow, specifically, studying how fluid interfaces, electromechanical forcing and material properties interact to control droplet motion and stability. Heidarshenas is from Ahvaz, Iran, and his hobbies include playing soccer, traveling and mountain climbing. His favorite food is ghormeh sabzi, and his top bucket list item is to go to the moon.