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.
Profile
Google Scholar
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