Thokozile Mazibuko | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Ms . Thokozile Mazibuko | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

Lecturer , durban university of technology , South Africa

Thokozile Fortunate Mazibuko is a dedicated electrical engineer with a concentration in Power and Renewable Energy Systems. She is passionate about innovation and creativity, consistently aiming to contribute to the field through research and teaching. With a strong technical aptitude and experience in both academia and industry, Thokozile is currently a lecturer at Durban University of Technology, where she focuses on developing new teaching methodologies and supervising research projects.

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Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Academic Background: Thokozile has a strong academic foundation, holding a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with Cum Laude from Tshwane University of Technology and another Master’s from RWTH Aachen University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the Durban University of Technology, focusing on renewable energy and power systems, which highlights her dedication to advancing her knowledge and expertise in this field.
  2. Research Expertise: Thokozile has contributed to several high-impact publications in the areas of power systems, renewable energy, and energy systems optimization. Her work on the application of synchrophasors for transient stability analysis and her involvement in the techno-economic design and optimization of hybrid energy systems demonstrate her capability to handle complex and critical issues in the energy sector.
  3. Teaching and Mentorship: Her experience as a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg reflects her commitment to academia. Thokozile has developed and implemented innovative teaching approaches, supervised research activities, and contributed to the academic development of her students, enhancing her institution’s research profile.
  4. Professional Experience: Thokozile has a robust professional background, with experience in both academia and industry. Her roles at Rand Water, Anglo American, and Anglo Platinum, where she handled responsibilities ranging from quality control to project management, provide her with a well-rounded understanding of the practical applications of her research.
  5. Technical Skills: Thokozile possesses a wide range of technical skills, including complex problem-solving, systems analysis, and technology design. These skills, combined with her research and teaching experience, make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Areas of Improvement 

  • Expanded Research Impact: While Thokozile has a solid publication record, expanding her research impact through collaborations, securing grants, and leading high-profile projects could further enhance her profile. Engaging in more interdisciplinary research could also broaden her influence in related fields.
  • Industry-Academia Collaboration: Increasing collaboration with industry partners could enhance the practical relevance of her research and lead to innovations that directly impact the energy sector. This could also provide more opportunities for funded research projects and applications.

Visibility in International Conferences: While Thokozile has presented at various conferences, increasing her presence at international conferences and workshops, especially in leadership or keynote roles, would raise her profile in the global research community.

Education 

Thokozile is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Durban University of Technology. She holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology (Cum Laude) and another Master’s degree from RWTH Aachen University in Germany. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering (Power) from Tshwane University of Technology and a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Durban University of Technology.

Experience 

Thokozile has extensive experience in both academic and industrial settings. Since 2020, she has been a lecturer at Durban University of Technology, where she develops innovative teaching approaches and supervises research projects. Before that, she lectured at the University of Johannesburg, focusing on Power Electronics, Protection Technology, and Control Systems. Thokozile has also worked as a Graduate Intern at Rand Water and held various roles at Anglo American, including Quality Control Coordinator and Engineering Trainee.

Research Interests 

Thokozile’s research interests lie in Power and Energy Systems, particularly in renewable energy sources. Her work focuses on the application of synchrophasors in multi-machine power systems for transient stability analysis and the optimization of hybrid energy systems. She is dedicated to advancing the field through her research, which combines technical expertise with practical applications.

Awards 

Thokozile has earned recognition for her academic achievements, including her Cum Laude distinction for her Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Her work has been consistently recognized for its impact on the field, contributing to the development of innovative solutions in power and energy systems.

Publications 

Thokozile has authored several research papers in esteemed journals and conference proceedings, showcasing her contributions to the field of electrical engineering:

Conclusion

Thokozile Fortunate Mazibuko is a highly qualified and experienced researcher with a strong academic and professional background in electrical engineering, particularly in power systems and renewable energy. Her dedication to research, teaching, and technical expertise make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With further emphasis on expanding her research impact, industry collaboration, and international visibility, she has the potential to achieve even greater recognition in her field.

Mansi Girdhar | Power Systems | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Ms. Mansi Girdhar | Power Systems | Best Researcher Award 

Ph.D.| Univrsity of Michigan | United States

Based on the provided information, here is a comprehensive analysis of the candidate’s suitability for the “Best Researcher Award” with a focus on strengths, areas for improvement, and conclusions:

Strengths for the Award

The candidate, currently a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, demonstrates exceptional credentials and accomplishments that align with the criteria for the Best Researcher Award. Their academic achievements, underscored by high GPAs throughout their educational journey, reflect a solid foundation and dedication to their field.

One of the most notable strengths of the candidate is their extensive and impactful research experience. Their work spans several cutting-edge areas including cybersecurity in power systems, digital substations, and autonomous vehicle technologies. The research projects funded by prestigious institutions like the Department of Energy (DOE) and KERI (Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute) illustrate their involvement in high-stakes, transformative research. The development of cyber-resilient security layers for substations and dynamic cybersecurity frameworks for IEC-61850 communications not only shows technical prowess but also addresses critical challenges in modern infrastructure.

The candidate’s ability to bridge theoretical research with practical applications is another key strength. Projects such as the Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed and Cybersecurity of EV Charging Stations showcase their skill in real-world problem-solving, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of both the technology and its potential vulnerabilities. This hands-on experience is further supported by their role as a Graduate Student Research Assistant and Instructor, where they contribute to both research and education, reinforcing their commitment to the advancement of the field.

Their impressive publication record, with multiple papers in high-impact conferences and journals like IEEE Transactions and IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, highlights their contribution to advancing knowledge in their research areas. The diversity of their publications, from cybersecurity in EV charging stations to machine learning-based anomaly detection, underscores their versatility and expertise.

Additionally, the recognition they have received, including awards and certifications, reinforces their position as a leading researcher. Their role as a jury member at prestigious conferences and their involvement in various IEEE committees demonstrate their active engagement with the broader academic and professional community.

Areas for Improvement

Despite these strengths, there are areas where the candidate could further enhance their profile. One area for improvement is broadening their research impact through collaborative interdisciplinary projects. While their work is highly specialized, integrating insights from other fields such as policy-making or social sciences could provide a more holistic approach to their research problems, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and autonomous vehicles.

Another area for growth could be expanding their outreach and dissemination efforts. While their research is published in esteemed journals, engaging more with industry stakeholders and policymakers could amplify the real-world impact of their findings. Increased participation in industry conferences and public forums might help bridge the gap between research and practical application.

Additionally, while the candidate’s technical skills are extensive, incorporating a more diverse set of methodologies or exploring emerging technologies such as quantum computing or advanced AI techniques might offer new avenues for innovation in their research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the candidate is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award based on their exceptional academic record, significant research contributions, and active engagement in their field. Their work addresses pressing issues in cybersecurity, digital substations, and autonomous vehicles, demonstrating both depth and breadth of expertise.

Their strengths, particularly their ability to translate research into practical solutions and their active involvement in the academic community, position them as a leading researcher. Addressing areas for improvement, such as fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and expanding outreach efforts, could further enhance their impact and recognition.

Overall, the candidate’s accomplishments and ongoing contributions make them a standout choice for the Best Researcher Award, reflecting both their commitment to advancing knowledge and their potential for continued influence in their field.

Short Bio 🌟

Mansi Girdhar is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, USA, specializing in digital substations, EV charging stations, and cybersecurity for electrified and autonomous transportation. Her research focuses on IEC-61850-based communication, threat modeling, and software-defined networking (SDN). Mansi has extensive experience in hardware-in-the-loop testbeds, real-time simulation, and cyber-physical security. She has been actively involved in academia and industry collaborations, addressing critical challenges in power grid cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

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Education 📚

Mansi holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she maintains a GPA of 3.88/4. She earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College in Punjab, India, graduating with high honors and a GPA of 3.90/4 in both degrees. Her academic journey has equipped her with a robust foundation in electrical engineering principles and advanced knowledge in digital substations and cybersecurity.

Experience 💼

As a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mansi has contributed significantly to several research projects funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the university. Her research includes the development of cyber-resilient security layers for substations (CREST project) and SDN-based cybersecurity frameworks for IEC-61850 communications in smart grids. She has also led the Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed project, integrating various devices for real-time simulations in power systems.

As a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Mansi has taught undergraduate courses in digital systems, software technology, control theory, and system design. She has also served as a lab instructor for electric circuits and automatic control systems, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and student mentorship.

Research Interest 🔬

Mansi’s research interests span several critical areas in electrical engineering and cybersecurity. Her primary focus includes:

  • Cybersecurity of digital substations and EV charging stations
  • Software-defined networking (SDN) applications in power systems
  • Threat modeling and mitigation strategies for critical infrastructure
  • Real-time simulation of cyber-attacks on communication protocols (IEC-61850 SV and GOOSE)
  • Anomaly detection and cybersecurity frameworks for autonomous and connected vehicles

Awards and Recognition 🏆

Mansi has received numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions to research and academia, including the Distinguished Graduate Student Research Award at the University of Michigan. She was recognized for her work on cybersecurity in EV charging stations, which was featured prominently at the North American International Detroit Auto Show. Mansi has also been involved in various leadership roles, serving as a jury member and panelist at IEEE conferences and representing the university at prestigious events like the Cyber Auto Challenge.

Publications 📝

M. Girdhar, J. Hong, Y. You, T. -J. Song and M. Govindarasu. “Cyber-Attack Event Analysis for EV Charging Stations.” IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), 2023. Link

S. Bhattacharya, M. Govindarasu, M. Girdhar and J. Hong. “A Quantitative Methodology for Attack-Defense Analysis of EV Charging Infrastructure.” IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), 2023. Link

M. Girdhar, J. Hong, Y. You and T. -J. Song. “Anomaly Detection for Connected and Automated Vehicles: Accident Analysis.” IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference & Expo (ITEC), 2023. Link

M. Girdhar, J. Hong and J. Moore. “Cybersecurity of Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Literature Review of Adversarial Attacks and Defense Models.” IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, vol. 4, pp. 417-437, 2023. Link

M. Girdhar, Y. You, T. -J. Song, S. Ghosh and J. Hong. “Post-Accident Cyberattack Event Analysis for Connected and Automated Vehicles.” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 83176-83194, 2022. Link

M. Girdhar, J. Hong, Y. Yoo and T. -j. Song. “Machine Learning-Enabled Cyber Attack Prediction and Mitigation for EV Charging Stations.” IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), 2022. Link

J. Hong, M. Girdhar, C. -W. Ten, S. Lee and S. Choi. “Cybersecurity of Sampled Value Messages in Substation Automation System.” IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), 2022. Link

K. Verma, M. Girdhar, A. Hafeez and S. S. Awad. “ECU Identification using Neural Network Classification and Hyperparameter Tuning.” IEEE International Workshop on Information Forensics and Security (WIFS), 2022. Link

A. Hafeez, J. Mohan, M. Girdhar and S. S. Awad. “Machine Learning based ECU Detection for Automotive Security.” 17th International Computer Engineering Conference (ICENCO), 2021. Link

M. Girdhar, J. Hong, H. Lee and T. -J. Song. “Hidden Markov Models-Based Anomaly Correlations for the Cyber-Physical Security of EV Charging Stations.” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 3903-3914, 2022. Link

M. Girdhar, J. Hong, R. Karnati, S. Lee and S. Choi. “Cybersecurity of Process Bus Network in Digital Substations.” International Conference on Electronics, Information, and Communication (ICEIC), 2021. Link

M. Girdhar and B. S. Dhaliwal. “Hybrid Fractal Boundary MIMO Antenna for Multiband Applications.” SAMRIDDHI: A Journal of Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, vol. 12, pp. 23-27, 2020. Link

M. Girdhar and B. S. Dhaliwal. “Hybrid Fractal Boundary MIMO Antenna for Multiband Applications.” Journal of Innovation in Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 9, pp. 29-32, 2020. Link

M. Girdhar, K. Singh and D. Singh. “Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in 5G.” International Conference on Soft Computing Applications in Wireless Communication, 2017. Link