2022 News Archive

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Alumni Q&A: Grace Porter

Grace Porter, '18 is not only working to improve the state's transportation infrastructure, she is also passionate to mentor and prepare the next generation of engineers.

USC researcher continues quest to find new therapeutics for Alzheimer’s

USC researcher Melissa Moss has studied Alzheimer's disease for decades, and she's coming closer to finding medicines that will help patients keep their memories longer.

Artificial Intelligence, real application

On his way to earning his Ph.D. in computer science, Manas Gaur has worked to integrate more "human knowledge" into artificial intelligence. His work has applications in a wide range of fields from mental health care to autonomous driving.

2022 Year in Review

It has been another successful calendar year with innovative research, student success and recognition, and alumni achievements. Take a look back at some of the research, awards and events throughout 2022.

December 2022 Graduate Spotlight: Madasen Kasprisin

Chemical engineering major Madasen Kasprisin will graduate next week from the University of South Carolina, a school she initially had no intentions of attending. Four years later, she is ready to begin her professional engineering career at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

CEC's Summer Start program builds community, paves way to success for first-generation students

About 150 first-generation, first-year students attend the College of Engineering and Computing each year, and a three-week residential experience during the summer is designed to support first-generation students' transitions to university life.

New minor focuses on sustainable engineering

A new minor introduced this semester within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will help prepare students for a career in sustainable environmental fields.

Applied mechanics

December graduate Sarah Anne Livingston didn’t just ace her engineering classes. She also engineered her future by racking up a whopping six internships with three different companies.

Applying next-generation batteries as green alternatives

Assistant Professor Golareh Jalilvand's current research has been making progress in expanding lithium-sulfur batteries efficiency and potential.

USC to launch Apple iOS coding certifications for students, residents across SC

The University of South Carolina, in partnership with Apple Inc., is launching a free coding certification course in the Spring 2023 semester to teach Apple’s iOS language to students in the USC system and to community members across South Carolina.

Protecting soldiers against ballistic impacts

Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Subramani Sockalingam is currently working on research that aims to better understand structure-property relationships of body armor materials that will help with soldiers' safety.

Burn tiger burn

Meet the students behind this year's signature event

Utilizing microstructure modeling for eliminating defects

Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Lang Yuan is utilizing his expertise in 3D printing to develop a machine learning enhanced understanding of functionally gradient materials.

Downey one of 60 early career engineers to attend NAE symposium

Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Austin Downey was one of only 60 individuals worldwide selected to attend a recent National Academy of Engineering symposium that also facilitated international and cross-disciplinary research collaborations.

Women researchers at USC embody goals of Title IX in their educational journeys and careers

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Two USC women in research, Dr. Sanaz Sadati and Dr. Melissa Nolan, exemplify how Carolina is actively engaged in changing the culture for women beginning careers in academia and research. Their stories mark the first of a three-part series on Title IX’s impact by the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Developing alternative fuels for the U.S. Navy

Faculty from four CEC departments are utilizing their expertise to assist the U.S. Navy by determining alternative fuels to limit carbon emissions for improving vessel performance and to combat climate change.

Engineering professor teaches students to think differently

Juan Caicdeo is Garnet Apple teaching award winner

Understanding Alzheimer's disease

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. But one Ph.D. candidate is dedicated to better understanding methods of early detection and the disease's progression that could lead to improved outcomes.

Alumni Q&A: Dr. Caila Boyd Magazine, '15

A CEC alum has aligned her biomedical engineering education and skills into medicine. It also served as solid foundation and preparation for the rigors of medical school.

Motivation in Montana

A trip out west helped motivate Civil and Environmental Engineering senior Roland Herbkersman to improve the infrastructure of dams.

Pierce becomes CIEL director

As director of the Center of Integrative and Experiential Leaning, Pierce hopes to make opportunities for engagement more accessible and equitable for all students.

Student Spotlight: Caroline Boozer, '23

Cyber intelligence helps organizations better understand current and future threats to their digital infrastructure. One CEC student is planning to use her life-long interest and experiences in computer science to help protect against cyberattacks.

Gerdes looking to foster innovation, belonging in Rhodos living learning community

As the new faculty principal of the Rhodos Fellows Living Learning Community, John Gerdes is expanding students’ horizons in information, design and computing.

Agostinelli to be featured panelist at AI Event

CEC Assistant Professor and artificial intelligence expert Forest Agostinelli will be part of an important discussion on the ethical and societal implications of using AI.

CEC alumni contribute to improving highways through major infrastructure project

The area in Columbia known as "Malfunction Junction" is receiving a significant makeover to improve the area's transportation infrastructure. Several CEC alumni are involved in the massive project for improving travel for thousands of South Carolinians and out-of-state drivers.

Using AI and digital threads for predicting failure, maintenance and system reliability

Professor Abdel Bayoumi has researched and helped improved predictive maintenance methods for 24 years. He is now working on implementing a digital transformation to create a sustainable predictive maintenance program for the next generation of mechanical, electrical and structural systems.

Can I eat this food or not?

A computer science and engineering graduate student is using artificial intelligence techniques to develop nutritional analysis from food images and meal recommendations based on a user's health conditions and food preferences.

Aerospace engineering program enjoys growth to fill unique needs

The CEC's aerospace engineering undergraduate program continues to grow from its humble beginnings in 2018 and remains the only program of its kind in South Carolina.

Research aims to produce cleaner and more efficient hydrogen

Producing hydrogen has negative impacts such as high costs and carbon dioxide emission. But Mechanical Engineering Professor Kevin Huang is conducting research that utilizes reversible solid oxide cells for clean, efficient and high-yield hydrogen production.

Transforming food waste to value-added products? Berge's research aims for sustainable conversion

Imagine someone using a wet waste, such as a banana peel, to efficiently extract and reuse its resources. Associate Professor Nicole Berge is conducting research to determine if these wet wastes can be converted to value-added products through a more sustainable and economically viable approach.

CEC announces CAREER Award winners

The College of Engineering and Computing announces three CAREER Award winners - Michael Gower, Monirosadat Sadati, and Sanjib Sur.

Utilizing smart sensors to assess levee risks and hazards

Accurately predicting levees' performance and hazards are essential for managing risk in flood-prone areas. Professor Jasim Imran's current research is developing a framework to better determine levee risk factors and predict where failures may occur.

CEC welcomes new faculty for 2022-2023 academic year

This academic year's new faculty bring several years of research and teaching experience in computer science, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Demuth awarded Robert Maher Memorial Scholarship

An accelerated bachelor's/master's degree student has received a scholarship that will help enable him to pursue his research and interest in nuclear engineering.

Cacuci releases new book on groundbreaking sensitivity analysis methodology

SmartState Endowed Chair Professor Dan Cacuci recently had his first of three volumes released that focuses on his methodology to overcome the curse of dimensionality.

Ph.D. student builds online community for biology enthusiasts

Candice Cheung, a third-year biomedical engineering Ph.D. student, has helped develop Biocord, an online community for biology enthusiasts. The group is now registered as a nonprofit with more than 20,000 members.

Gower aims to advance treatment of obesity-related disease through NSF research

Assistant Professor Michael Gower will utilize his NSF CAREER award to investigate and help researchers better understand and improve the medical field's response to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Developing advanced control systems for the next generation of naval destroyers

The U.S. Navy is interested in advanced control systems as they extend the lifespan of their current fleet and plan to increase production. Electrical Engineering Professor Herbert Ginn is currently expanding on previous control systems research by being part of a larger effort toward deploying advanced controls.

Breakthrough Star:Yu Qian

It’s one thing to be late for a haircut because of a crossing train. But when Yu Qian spotted an ambulance with lights flashing and siren blaring — but blocked by a train — he put his civil engineering expertise to work.

Harik pushes manufacturing of advanced composite structures with NASA grant

Associate Professor Ramy Harik is utilizing a $1.1 million NASA grant to develop new processes for more efficient manufacturing of advanced air vehicles and lightweight structures.

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence

Since establishing an Artificial Intelligence Institute in 2019, the university has seen growing interest in the subject across campus. There are now dozens of researchers throughout the university exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to advance fields from health care to manufacturing.

Alum creates innovative collaboration in leading Alzheimer's disease research

Ryan Geiser, '17 is bringing together researchers from several scientific and public health fields in the United Kingdom to better understand Alzheimer's disease and determine if any drugs are available for future study.

Coman earns battery division postdoctoral associate research award

Paul Coman was recently recognized for his work on improving safety in lithium-ion batteries.

Utilizing piezoelectric materials for better plasma applications

If you've ever generated an internal electric charge by using a cigarette lighter, you've utilized piezoelectric materials. To better understand the piezoelectricity phenomena, Associate Professor Tanvir Farouk is examining how combining these materials and plasma can be used in medical and other applications.

Breakthrough Star: Pooyan Jamshidi

Lifelong interest in robotics leads professor to research in artificial intelligence, machine learning.

IIT seniors work with business student to develop revolutionary stairs software

Business student Jake Birkmaier saw a need and brought his idea for a staircase software to develop in this past spring's Integrated Information Technology (IIT) Capstone Course. With the help of two IIT students, the team created a software system that saves time and ensures customer satisfaction.

CEC advisors recognized for innovative changes

The CEC advising office has been streamlining the advising process for undergraduate students. Their hard work has been recognized by the university with five awards that honor three outstanding advisors as well as the innovative processes of the office.

Sutton among the greatest scientists the field of applied mechanics has ever seen

This is Michael Sutton’s lifetime achievement award. His Major League Baseball Hall of Fame induction. His Heisman Trophy; maybe even his Nobel Prize. When Sutton receives the 2022 Timoshenko Medal on Nov. 2, he will officially be recognized as one of the greatest scientists the field of applied mechanics has ever seen.

Breakthrough Star: Jorge Crichigno

Associate professor of integrated information technology Jorge Chrichigno builds a virtual “playground” for IT education.

Fluor support creates diverse pipeline for engineering, business

Brenden Chavis, an informatics Ph.D. student in the College of Engineering and Computing, is able to pay for his own education thanks to programs funded by Fluor Corp.

Civil engineering team laying foundation for earthen block construction

For the past 10 years, Fabio Matta, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been engineering earthen building blocks made from local soil. Up close, the blocks don’t look like anything special, but their simplicity is the appeal — the blocks don’t require firing in energy-intensive kiln furnaces and can stand up to the worst Mother Nature can throw at them.

Preparing for 100% renewable energy with new grid and inverter systems

As complete renewable energy is expected in the future, Electrical Engineering Distinguished Professor Adel Nasiri and his research team are developing efficient and low-cost architecture utilizing solar panels and voltage grids.

Preparing for the next generation of wireless networks

Assistant Professor Sanjib Sur recently received a five-year, National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his research on developing sensing and imaging applications for real world devices on future and advanced wireless networks.

Improving space travel through nuclear propulsion and power

How can the U.S. maintain an edge in space exploration? Mechanical Engineering Chair and Professor Travis Knight is working on research that uses mixed carbide fuels for nuclear thermal propulsion for increasing efficiency and decrease costs, rather than electric or chemical processes.

Electrical engineering Ph.D. student receives prestigious DoD fellowship

Jared Cronin was recently awarded a highly competitive fellowship from the Department of Defense that will help assist his continued research and development of U.S. Navy power and energy systems.

Mechanical engineering graduate student earns DOD-SMART Fellowship

Jason Smith's fellowship will not only help support his research into digital twins but also allow him to utilize his knowledge and experiences by working with the U.S. Navy after completing his graduate studies.

Is your EV battery safe?

As the number of electric vehicles continue to increase worldwide, CEC researchers have discovered the possibility of fires or explosions when operating or storing batteries in cold temperatures.

CEC professor combines modeling, data and AI to identify structural damage

Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Sourav Banerjee is working with the U.S. Navy on research utilizing digital models of structures and AI to better detect defects and prevent catastrophic failure.

CEC students receive honors from UofSC Office of International Student Services

Chemical engineering graduate student Kidochukwu Atube and recent biomedical engineering graduate Tristan Marchena were recently recognized for their academic and research excellence.

SAGE SmartState Center brings solutions to power problems

Research at the College of Engineering and Computing and collaborations with statewide power and electric organizations is helping find new solutions using old technologies and storing energy from renewables.

All in the Gamecock family

When computer engineering major Dimitri Amiridis crosses the stage at commencement this spring, the South Carolina Honors College graduate will become the third member of his family with a degree from the University of South Carolina. The only member of his immediate family not to hold a degree from his new alma mater? Dimitri’s father, university President-elect Michael Amiridis.

Cyber training event engages technology educators and researchers

The CEC along with the New York State Education and Research Network and the Engagement and Performance Operations Center hosted a two-day, online workshop for IT educators and professionals.

CEC Ph.D. student serves on master modeler prize-winning team

Chemical engineering Ph.D. student Kevin Enyekwe teamed with a fellow doctoral student from the Darla Moore School of Business to sweep the awards at a recent competition focused on solving a business problem for a nonprofit or community-based organization.

CEC professors publish journal cover articles for chemical and biomedical engineering topics

Professors Chang Liu and Sanaz Sadati recently had their research findings published as cover articles in two prominent journals.

CEC alum establishes fund to immediately provide department needs

Jeff Mulliken is a three-time CEC graduate. He has established a fund to not only help cover expenses in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, but to also motivate fellow alumni to increase the fund for providing tangible needs and solutions.

Top leadership award winner puts education to use serving others

Mechanical engineering major Gabriel Nossar Carrilho is using what he’s learned at the University of South Carolina to serve the campus community, the Latinx community and even people in his native South America in need of clean water. For his efforts, Carrilho has been awarded the university’s top leadership award — the 2022 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

CEC student organizations host inaugural Diversity Gala

Students had the opportunity to connect and network with engineering professionals and listen to keynote speakers discuss STEM-related experiences at the inaugural Diversity Gala.

Department of Chemical Engineering Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients from the Department of Chemical Engineering reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

Biomedical Engineering Program Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients from the Biomedical Engineering Program reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

Department of Electrical Engineering Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients from the Department of Electrical Engineering reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

Computing Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients in computing programs reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

Department of Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Seniors

UofSC will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. Recipients from the Department of Mechanical Engineering reflect on their time at the CEC and being honored as an Outstanding Senior.

CEC seniors to be recognized on Awards Day

The University of South Carolina will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor student excellence. CEC students from each of the 10 undergraduate programs will be recognized for their achievements.

From Stage to STEM

IIT student Sloane Luckiewicz initially had plans to join a ballet company. But instead of dance, she has found a path towards a fulfilling career in web development.

There's Nothing Like Peaking at the Right Time - University of South Carolina Athletics

Seniors Abby Carroll and Whitley Ballard are making up for lost time.

UofSC researchers lending expertise to new $360 million national water alliance

The University of South Carolina is lending its expertise in hydraulics, river and stream modeling to a hydrologic project that has been awarded $360 million by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

CEC professors accelerating machine learning into microsecond timescale

Mechanical Engineering Professor Austin Downey and Computer Science and Engineering Professor Jason Bakos are working together to develop programming and software for machine learning systems that can make real-time decision-making while minimizing risk.

5 Faculty Honored with 2022 Garnet Apple Innovative Teaching Award

The Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation honors UofSC's most exceptional faculty who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best teaching practices and an ongoing record of developing innovative strategies to enhance student learning in their courses. 5 recipients received this year's award and are to be commended for their accomplishments, including Juan Caicedo.

Alumni Q&A: Kallie Metzger

An undergraduate experience working at a test reactor in Germany led Kallie Metzger on a path toward a nuclear engineering career. Today, the skills and experiences from her time at the CEC have contributed to her success as a program leader in the safe delivery of advanced nuclear fuels.

NSF funding to reduce defects in specialized manufacturing process

Improvements in manufacturing is essential as technologies evolve. Two CEC professors have embarked on research to better detect defects, leading to improved quality and reduced costs.

Huynh's web apps save time and money for SCDOT

Construction projects often face delays long before any work begins. But Professor Nathan Huynh is expanding his previous research to avoid lengthy delays through more efficient web apps.

Water-analyzing aerial drone could get bigger and better

A new water sampling aerial drone developed by University of South Carolina professors has six motors, four pumps, two batteries, one six-foot-long collection hose and a zero-carbon footprint. But this proof-of-concept machine could become even more impressive if the team is able to secure NSF funding for a new level of capability.

CEC professor advances the role of satellite radar imagery in railway safety

Professor Dimitris Rizos will utilize satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence to improve rail safety by detecting failure conditions and mitigating risks.

$10 million research program aims to digitally replicate U.S. naval power and energy systems

Electrical Engineering Professor Roger Dougal recently began research on developing a ship-like electrical grid testbed for developing and evaluating simulation tools to address the management of power and energy on electric ships.

Sadati's NSF CAREER Award aims to better understand liquid crystals amid curved structures

Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Monirosadat (Sanaz) Sadati is in the early stages of a five-year research project to better understand and determine how liquid crystals can adjust and work within the unique properties of curved geometries.

Department of Energy-funded research aims to develop higher efficiency heating process to produce ethylene

The expertise of chemical engineering professors Sirivatch Shimpalee and John Regalbuto are working together on research to increase ethylene's efficiency and profit.

CEC graduate student finds balance among motherhood and academia

Chemical engineering Ph.D. student Jennifer Naglic has a busy schedule of academics, research, family responsibilities and volunteerism. But as a non-traditional student, Naglic has successfully balanced all her obligations while pursuing her passion.

Two CEC student-athletes overcome the hurdles of busy schedules to succeed

Multitasking and planning is necessary for all student-athletes. As Civil and environmental engineering seniors Kiera Hughes and Pressley Perry prepare to graduate in May, they have mastered managing their academic responsibilities with being track and field student-athletes.

Yu begins term as associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion

Mechanical Engineering Professor Lingyu (Lucy) Yu plans to continue cultivating the diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for everyone as the college's new associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Six graduate students awarded Koerner Family Foundation Fellowships

Six Ph.D. students have each received $10,000 to help cover research and educational expenses, thanks to the Koerner Family Foundation Fellows program.

Office of Naval Research Officials to Visit College of Engineering and Computing

The CEC will host a visit from two officials from the Office of Naval Research on February 2. Rear Admiral Lorin Selby, chief of naval research, and Thomas Fu, Ph.D., head of the Mission Capable, Persistent, and Survivable Naval Platforms Department will visit the campus.

Two CEC professors awarded significant funding from the Office of Naval Research

College of Engineering and Computing faculty Roger Dougal and Yi Wang have been awarded a combined $14.75 million in funding from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) for their respective research.

CEC alum's start-up company plans to prevent elderly falls and improve lives through intelligent infrastructure

A creative and inquisitive mindset and a passion for research has led alum Benjamin Davis on an entrepreneurial journey. He is currently working on how his smart technology can detect and even predict falls.

CEC professor leads field trials to strengthen South Carolina's transportation infrastructure

Professor Paul Ziehl is leading the development of strengthening methods for thousands of South Carolina's highway bridges, through a five-year study sponsored by a $960,000 grant from SCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

Research intends to develop a shift in testing and debugging for modern machine learning systems

Optimal software performance is essential for modern systems, but for developers, configuring these components can be challenging. One CEC professor is currently working on a different method for testing and fixing complex, highly configurable machine learning systems.

U.S. Navy-sponsored research aims to improve perception autonomous surface vessels

Associate Professor Yi Wang and collaborators will perform research to develop a perception system for unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Its goal is to perform as well or better than a trained human captain in detecting and recognizing a variety of objects, obstacles and ships in all weather conditions.

2022 Breakthrough Award honorees represent the best in UofSC research

The Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to present 2022 Breakthrough research awards to five senior faculty members, 13 early-career faculty members and 15 graduate students.