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Students Mentoring as the Major Professor
Doctoral Students
Victor Wu
Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering, Spring 2024 – current
M.S., Business Analytics, University of Nottingham
B.S., Pure and Applied Mathematics, Jinan University
Email: jwu71@vols,utk.edu
Victor is studying machine learning and physical (analytical/numerical) modeling for additive friction stir deposition, wire arc additive manufacturing, papermaking in collaboration with NSF ERC-HAMMER, SEAMTN and ORNL.
Dissertation topic: A Dynamical Systems Modeling Framework for Machine-Tool-Materials Interactions in Additive Friction Stir Deposition and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
Winner of UTK Perfect Pitch Competition, NSF ERC-HAMMER (2025)
Convergence Research Lead, NSF ERC-HAMMER Student Leadership Council (2025)
Lead modeling effects of residual stress integrating microstructure for metal additive manufacturing in NSF ERC-HAMMER
Abir Ray
Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering, Spring 2024 – current
D. Eng., Cybersecurity Analytics, George Washington University
M.A., Software Engineering, Harvard University
M.Eng., Systems Engineering, Cornell University
B.A., Interdisciplinary Study, University of Virginia
Email: aray49@vols.utk.edu
Abir is studying the AI-enabled integration of model-based systems engineering and digital twins for the fundamental research in spectrum control and optimization
Dissertation topic: An AI-Enabled Systems Engineering Framework for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation in Contested Heterogeneous Environments
Supported by AI Tennessee Seed Grant and SEAMTN
Heather Drieling
#1 metallurgist in my heart.
D.Eng. student in Industrial Engineering, Fall 2024 – current
M.S., Materials Science & Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Email: hdrielin@vols.utk.edu
Dissertation topic: A Porosity Monitoring and Control System Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Online Ultrasonic Testing for Quality Improvement of Industrial Aluminum Sheet and Plate Production
Dr. Alisa Ren
Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Fall 2021 - Fall 2025
B.S., Financial Mathematics and Statistics, University of California Santa Barbara
Email: mren5@vols.utk.edu
Dissertation: A Multiscale Manufacturing Operations Management Study from Discrete-Event Dynamics to Machining Dynamics by Machine Learning based Modeling and Optimization
Lead cutting mechanics-based machine learning modeling of machining dynamics for Southeastern Advanced Machine Tools Network (SEAMTN)
Selected Poster Presentation, Artificial Intelligence for Robust Engineering & Science (AIRES 4) Workshop, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, April 2023
Initial placement: Business Operations Analyst at a Manufacturing Firm in Beijing
Dr. Mason Ma
Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Fall 2020 - Spring 2026
M.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., Management Science and Engineering, Peking University
B.S., Automation, Tsinghua University
Email: hma19@vols.utk.edu
Dissertation: Machine Learning-Enabled Modeling, Bifurcation and Stability Analysis, and Control for Machine Tool Dynamics
Lloyd W Crawford Fellowship (2020), GATE Fellowship (2021, 2022)
Winner of UTK Perfect Pitch Competition, NSF ERC-HAMMER (2024)
Convergence Research Lead, NSF ERC-HAMMER Student Leadership Council (2024)
Lead machine learning, modeling and control efforts for machining, WAAM and WAAM-BAM, towards its system integration with Agility Forge and machining in NSF ERC-HAMMER
Initial placement: Senior Data Scientist in Smart Manufacturing & AI at Micron
Master Students in Engineering Management
Karzan Mohamad-Ali
Graduated in Fall 2021
Capstone title: An Analysis of Construction Project Performance Analysis with Last Planner System Integration
Mechanical Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers
Benjamin Larkin
Graduated in Fall 2021
Capstone title: Rapid Continuous Improvement on Plant Efficiency and Productivity.
Operations Manager, Snap-on
Carole Reeves
Graduated in Spring 2021
Capstone title: Process Improvement in Development Cleaning Operations at Y-12.
Process Engineer, Y-12.
Undergraduate Students
Chase Post
Fall 2022 - Spring 2024
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Chase studied machine learning for machining and additive manufacturing.
Digital Leadership Development Program at RTX – Project Manager, Collins Aerospace
Franklin Zhang
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Franklin studied statistical learning for dynamic systems with control.
Transferred to Mathematics and Computer Science Major at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sarah Von Hollen
Spring 2022
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sarah studied data-driven method for milling dynamics.
Moved to Dr. Rigoberto Advincula’s group for biomedical research
Faculty Advisor for Undergraduate Career Development
2025: Jones Ethan, Reed Smith, Caroline Reid
2024: Isabella Coffey, Caden McBride, Breton Stanley
2023: Riley McCormick, Eric Elwell, Tucker Tremayne
2022: Lauren Williams, Gabriel Qualls
Students Mentoring as a Committee Member
Summary: As a committee member, I have mentored 19 Ph.D. students in Mechanical Engineering (7), Electrical Engineering (2), Mathematics (1), Sports Psychology and Motor Learning (1), Data Science and Engineering (1), as well as Industrial Engineering (7). In addition, I have mentored 12 Master students including 10 distance students.
Ph.D. Dissertation Committee
Jun Son, expected in 2026. Mechanistic Cutting Force Modeling and Surface Integrity in UD-CFRP Milling: Effects of Tool Geometry
Advisor: Prof. Uday Vaidya (Mechanical Engineering)
Elisha Brooks, expected in 2026. Topological Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Scientific Dynamic Data.
Advisor: Prof. Vasileios Maroulas (Mathematics)
Kaiyang Huang, 2026. Modeling, Control, and Simulation of Multiscale Power Systems.
Advisor: Prof. Kai Sun (Electrical Engineering)
Kaustubh Vibhandik, expected in 2026. Floating Bottlenecks in Manufacturing.
Advisor: Prof. James Ostrowski (Industrial Engineering)
Ryan Sitton, 2026. Uncertainty Based Probability of Failure Models for Complex System Analysis.
Advisor: Prof. Jamie Coble (Data Science and Engineering/Nuclear Engineering)
Gregory Corson, 2025. Dynamics Driven Cost Optimization for Hybrid Manufacturing.
Advisor: Prof. Bradley Jared (Mechanical Engineering)
Tobe Nwabueze, 2025. The Use of Experimental Setups and In Situ Milling Signals for Chatter Detection and Spindle Speed Selection by Scanned Periodic Sampling Frequency.
Advisor: Prof. Siamak Farhad (Mechanical Engineering)
Rachael Armayor, 2025. 2025 Generation Related Differences in the Job Satisfaction and Work Engagement of Civilian Department of Defense Scientists and Engineers.
Advisor: Prof. James Simonton (Industrial Engineering)
Mahsa Sajjadi, 2025. Participation Factor-Based Model Reduction and Partitioning for Accelerating Power System Simulations.
Advisor: Prof. Kai Sun (Electrical Engineering)
Jose Nazario, 2025. Dynamic Force Measurement for Milling Using a Constrained-motion Dynamometer and Time Domain Signal Analysis.
Advisor: Prof. Chad Duty (Mechanical Engineering)
Joshua Kincaid, 2025. Automated Path Planning for Additive Friction Stir Deposition.
Advisor: Prof. Tony Schmitz (Mechanical Engineering)
Aaron Cornelius, 2024. Milling Stability Map Identification and Machining Parameter Optimization using Bayesian Inference. Advisor: Prof. Tony Schmitz (Mechanical Engineering)
Ross Zameroski, 2024. Constrained-motion Drilling Dynamometer for Torque and Thrust Force Measurement.
Advisor: Prof. Tony Schmitz (Mechanical Engineering)
Andrew Strick, 2024. The Effects of a Novel Adaptive Method with Task Variations of Different Inherent Task Difficulty.
Advisor: Prof. Jared Porter (Sports Psychology and Motor Learning)
Kurtis Rookard, 2024. Cyber Threat Detection using Multifaceted Machine Learning Approaches.
Advisor: Prof. Anahita Khojandi (Industrial Engineering)
Jianxin Xie, 2023. Physics-Augmented Modeling and Optimization of Complex Systems: Healthcare Applications.
Advisor: Prof. Bing Yao (Industrial Engineering)
Michael J. Wilson, 2022. Optimizing the Maker Community to Address Covid-19 Supply Shortfall.
Advisor: Prof. Andrew Yu (Industrial Engineering)
Jeremy Hale, 2022. Partially Observed Markov Decision Process to Plan Preventative Maintenance and Repairs of Additive Manufacturing Machines Using Witness Parts.
Advisor: Prof. Ming Jin (Industrial Engineering)
Olawale Olabisi, 2021. Forecasting Nigeria’s Electricity Demand and Energy Efficiency Potential Under Climate Uncertainty.
Advisor: Prof. Andrew Yu (Industrial Engineering)
Master Thesis/Capstone Committee
Dylan Pollard, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2025. Mechanistic Force Model Calibration for Milling in Multiple Materials.
Hunter Reese, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2022. Powered Industrial Vehicle Fleet Optimization.
Joshua Patterson, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2022. Operational Configuration within the Group Management Office.
Ty Tabernik, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2022. Upgrade for Trevecca Nazarene University Computer Science Program Lab.
Eric Joyce, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2022. Enhanced Inventory Traceability for Error Rate Reduction in Warehouse Receiving Process.
Seth Allison, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2021. Process Improvement of Engineering Processes for Converting Aviation Components from Traditional to Additive Manufacturing Production.
Brandon Anderson, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2021. Increased Capacity of A Hypersonic Ground Test Facility.
Colton Ku, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2021. Periodic Replenish and Recount Policy to Address Record Inaccuracy from Stock Loss.
Justin Drake, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2021. Modern Material Handling Methods Make a Big Difference.
Aaron Bryan, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2021. A Study of Scheduling Techniques to Reduce Lost Test Time at Arnold Engineering and Development Complex.
Jason W. Brawner, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2020. Analysis of Material Variances in an Injection Molding Facility.
Keaton M. Stamps, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, 2020. Improving Cost Estimate Documentation within the Missile Defense Agency.
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