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Students Mentoring as the Major Professor
Doctoral Students
Victor Wu
Ph.D. Candidate 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 physical (analytical/numerical) and machine learning modeling through the lens of dynamical systems 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 Understanding the Thermomechanics of Machine-Tool-Materials Interactions in Additive Friction Stir Deposition
Winner of UTK Perfect Pitch Competition, NSF ERC-HAMMER (2025)
Convergence Research Lead, NSF ERC-HAMMER Student Leadership Council (2025)
Lead the thermal and residual stress modeling effects for wire arc additive manufacturing in collaboration with the NSF ERC-HAMMER and DOD SEAMTN
Lead the thermomechanics modeling effects of machine-tool-materials interactions for understanding the process physics in additive friction stir deposition in collaboration with the DOD SEAMTN and NSF ERC-HAMMER
Abir Ray
Ph.D. Candidate 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 stability analysis and scalable stability boundary identification algorithms for the learning dynamics of multi-agent Q-learning in dynamic spectrum allocation.
Dissertation topic: Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation: Learning Dynamics, Stability, and Adversarial Robustness
Supported by AI Tennessee Seed Grant and DOD SEAMTN
Heather Drieling
#1 metallurgist in my heart.
D.Eng. Candidate 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
Position: 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
Position: Senior Data Scientist in Smart Manufacturing & AI at Micron Technology
Undergraduate Students
Kohen Kilburn
Mechanical Engineering, Fall 2026 - current
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kohen is studying thermal and thermomechanical modeling for wire arc additive manufacturing, with the integration of physics-based machine learning, in collaboration with the NSF ERC-HAMMER.
Chase Post
Industrial Engineering, 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
Computer Sicence, 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
Biomedical Engineering, 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
Master Students in Engineering Management at UTSI
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.
Students Mentoring as a Committee Member
Summary: As a committee member, I have mentored 18 Ph.D. students in Mechanical Engineering (7), Electrical Engineering (3), Data Science and Engineering (1), Sports Psychology and Motor Learning (1), as well as Industrial Engineering (6). In addition, I have mentored 12 Master students including 10 distance students.
Ph.D. Dissertation Committee
Peigong Wang, expected in 2027. Electromechanical Wave Propagation in Power Systems: Theory, Modeling, and Applications
Advisor: Prof. Kai Sun (Electrical Engineering)
Jun Son, 2026. Mechanistic Cutting Force Modeling and Surface Integrity in UD-CFRP Milling: Effects of Tool Geometry
Advisor: Prof. Uday Vaidya (Mechanical Engineering)
Kaiyang Huang, 2026. Modeling, Control, and Simulation of Multiscale Power Systems.
Advisor: Prof. Kai Sun (Electrical 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 Engineering Management, 2022. Powered Industrial Vehicle Fleet Optimization.
Joshua Patterson, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2022. Operational Configuration within the Group Management Office.
Ty Tabernik, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2022. Upgrade for Trevecca Nazarene University Computer Science Program Lab.
Eric Joyce, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2022. Enhanced Inventory Traceability for Error Rate Reduction in Warehouse Receiving Process.
Seth Allison, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2021. Process Improvement of Engineering Processes for Converting Aviation Components from Traditional to Additive Manufacturing Production.
Brandon Anderson, M.S. in Engineering Management, 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 Engineering Management, 2021. Modern Material Handling Methods Make a Big Difference.
Aaron Bryan, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2021. A Study of Scheduling Techniques to Reduce Lost Test Time at Arnold Engineering and Development Complex.
Jason W. Brawner, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2020. Analysis of Material Variances in an Injection Molding Facility.
Keaton M. Stamps, M.S. in Engineering Management, 2020. Improving Cost Estimate Documentation within the Missile Defense Agency.
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