The Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology offers four distinct yet interconnected research focus areas.

Our Intelligent Robotic Systems focus area combines mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to develop adaptive robotic technologies that safely interact with humans for research in topics like kinematics, control theory, and artificial intelligence. Smart Infrastructure enables researchers to analyze and optimize complex systems through comprehensive data utilization, developing solutions that transform existing infrastructure into intelligent, resilient networks. Our Biomedical and Health Systems faculty facilitate rigorous interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering and medical sciences, while focusing on topics like tissue engineering, medical devices, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering. The Innovative Materials focus area offers advanced training in material composition, structure, and production—from nanocomposites to traditional semiconductors—addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy, healthcare, and computing.

Each research concentration provides cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities and comprehensive technical training essential for developing expertise in interdisciplinary engineering research methodologies.

Researchers by Focus Area

  • Name
    Position

    • Associate Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      tashuri@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5136
      Q 127

      Research Interests

      • Multiphysics Analysis and Optimization

      • Machine Learning and AI

      • Biomedical Soft Robotics

      • Aerospace Engineering

      • Optimal Controls in Renewable Energy

      Keywords: Intelligent Systems Design, Multiphysics Analysis and Optimization

    • Associate Professor of Mechatronics Engineering

      dguerraz@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-4492
      Q 318

      Research Interests

      • Digital Twins for Next Generation Manufacturing Systems (NGMS)

      • Advanced Instruments, Sensors, and Controllers for Industry 4.0

      • Tacit Knowledge Modeling for Human-Robot Interaction in NGMS

      Keywords: Intelligent Automation, Digital Twins, Industry 4.0

    • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      dkim97@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5263
      G 217

      Research Interests

      • Advance Control of Motion-tracking Device

        for live small insects

      • Optical Brain Imaging in a Behaving Animals

      • Biomimetic Small-scale magnetic soft robot

      • Locomotion of Damaged Hexapod Robot

      Keywords: Robotics, Microrobotics, Optimized control, bioinstrumentation,
      Brain imaging, Optical microscopy, Soft-robot, Motion tracking,
      Magnetic control, Biomimetics, Optogenetics 

    • Associate Professor of Mechatronics Engineering

      aamirimo@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5536
      Q 320

      Research Interests

      • Soft robotics

      • Medical device development

      • Intelligent materials and structures

      • Dynamic systems and Control

      Keywords: Robust Control, Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT), Sensors, Actuators, Nonlinear Mechanics, Mechanical Vibrations

    • Assistant Professor of Mechatronics Engineering

      mtanveer@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5612
      Q 316A

      Research Interests

      • Bio inspired robot for infrastructure inspection

      • Computational approach for BAT inspired bio-sonar

      • Cooperative Localization of Heterogeneous Teams of Robots.

      Keywords: Cooperative localization, heterogeneous robotic systems, Bat echolocation.

    • Interim Director of the Center for Use-Inspired Rehabilitation Engineering and Science (CURES) and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      atekes@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7518
      G 236

      Research Interests

      • Compliant Mechanisms

      • Soft Robots

      • Modeling, simulation, and control

      • Development of educational tools

      Keywords: Biomimetic robots, locomotive mechanisms, compliant knee joint, nonlinear modeling, linearization, and control

    • Assistant Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering

      rvoicu@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5988
      Q 319

      Research Interests

      • Communication & IoT

      • Biomedical

        • Tissue Engineering

        • Advanced Biomaterials

        • 3D Bioprinting

      • Robotics & Automation

      • Cybersecurity & Cyber Physical Security

      • Machine Learning & General Knowledge AI

        • AI Controlled Robotics

      • MEMs & Quantum Applications

    • Assistant Chair of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering and Professor of Mechatronics Engineering

      ywang34@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7317
      Q 323

      Research Interests

      • Visual servoing control of robotic manipulators

      • Multi-robot cooperation

      • Reinforcement Learning

      • Deep learning and Machine Learning

      • Computer vision

      Keywords: Intelligent robotic grasping control, Visual object recognition using machine learning

  • Name
    Position

    • Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering

      pbhavsar@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5095
      G 235

      Research Interests

      • Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)

      • Transportation Data Analytics

      • Connected, Automated and Automated-Connected Ve

      • Energy issues in Transportation

      • Evaluation of Transportation Systems

      Keywords: Transportation Data Analytics, ITS, Pavement Distress Detection

    • Assistant Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering

      schakra2@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5141
      Q 346

      Research Interests

      • Future Communication and Sensing Networks

      • Deep Machine learning for Cyber-Physical Systems

      • SDR-based wireless sensing and communications

      • Computer Vision and Remote Sensing

      • Signal Processing for eHealth

      Keywords: Machine learning, Autonomous robotics,  IoT, Indoor wireless localization

    • Professor of Electrical Engineering

      sdas2@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5140
      Q 345

      Research Interests

      • Thin Film Solar Cells

      • Solid State Radiation Detectors and Sensors

      • Sustainable IoT Systems

      • Applied Electronics for Instrumentation

      • Engineering Education

      Keywords: Semiconductors, Optoelectronic Devices, Renewable Energy, Solar Cell, Photovoltaics, Radiation Detectors, Sensors, IoT

    • Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Professor of Civil Engineering

      sdissan1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-2471
      L 101

      Research Interests

      • Traffic Engineering

      • Transportation/Highway Safety

      • Applications of Big Data in Transportation

      • Modeling/Simulation/Optimization

      • Sustainability Topics in Transportation

      • Highway Geometric Design

      • Computer Applications in Transp. Eng

      • STEM Education/Workforce Development

    • Assistant Professor of Engineering in Smart Infrastructure

      dhu3@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5076
      L 114

      Research Interests

      • Automation in Construction

      • Robotics and Sensing

      • Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Construction

      • Infrastructure Inspection and Management

      • Construction Informatics

      Keywords: Automation; Robotics, AI, Construction

    • Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of Systems Engineering

      akhalid2@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7241
      Q 333

      Research Interests

      • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

      • Multi-Rotor Systems

      • Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization

      • Aircraft Design, Aerodynamics, & Propulsion

      • Engineering Education

      Keywords: UAS, Drones, Quadcopters, Design, Aerospace vehicles, System of Systems

    • Associate Professor of Computer Engineering

      bkihei@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6657
      Q 252

      Research Interests

      • Joint Communications and Sensing for Automotive

      • Intelligent Transportation Systems

      • Software Defined Radio

      • Wireless Interference Testing

      • Vehicle-To-Everything Communications

      Keywords: 

      Wireless Communications, Digital Signal Processing, Vehicular Ad Hoc Network

    • Professor of Electrical Engineering

      hlee69@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5133
      Q 343

      Research Interests

      • Far-Field Wireless Power Transfer

      • Electronic Beamsteering

      • Controlled Radiation Capsule for Precision Cancer Treatment

      • Ultra-Sensitive, Rapid Infection Testing Biomedical Devices

      • Biomedical Devices and Applied Electromagnetics

      Keywords: Applied Electromagnetics, Wireless Power Transfer, Biomedical Devices, Brachytherapy, Rapid Infection Testing

    • Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering

      ymahmoud@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7381
      Q 342

      Research Interests

      • Renewable Energy Systems

      • Solar Photovoltaic Systems

      • Wireless Power Transfer

      • Energy Storage Applications

      • Electric Vehicles

    • Professor of Civil Engineering

      yseo2@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5496
      L 111

      Research Interests

      • Experimental Science and Engineering

      • Characterization Of Multi-Phased Composite Materials

      • Environmental Impact of Transportation and Construction Practices

      • Deployment Of Sustainable Infrastructure and Renewable Energy

      Keywords: Composite Materials, Sustainability, Structural Analysis, Instrumentation, Geothermal Energy, Chloride Ingress, Digital Image Correlation, Viscoelasticity

    • Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      gsharma3@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-4238
      Q 138

      Research Interests

      • Vortex Engines® Flow Characterization

      • Multiphase Flow Dynamics in Vortex Tubes

      • Water And Blood Hammer Analysis

      • Re-Entry Vehicle Aerothermodynamics

      • Delta Wings Aerodynamics

      Keywords: Advanced Propulsion, Cfd, Aerodynamics, Aerothermodynamics, Bidirectional Vortex Engine, High-Speed Flows, Cryogenics

    • Assistant Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Professor of Civil Engineering

      tyee@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5091
      M 162B

      Research Interests

      • Numerical Modeling of Fluid and Multiphase Flows

      • Daylight And Artificial Light Modeling

      • Application Of Sensor Technology

      • Fluid-Structure Interactions

      • Animal Loc

      Keywords: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Biofluid Dynamics, Sensors, Illumination

  • Name
    Position

    • Scientific Director and Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Technology

      sbhatta6@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7311
      Q 226

      Research Interests

      • Neural Signal Processing

      • Multimodal Fusion

      • Artificial Intelligence

      • Autonomous and Intelligent System

      • Engineering Education

    • Chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering

      scho28@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-3130
      M 110

      Research Interests

      • Ergonomic Risk Assessment Using Machine Learning in Various Occupational Settings

      • Motion Capture and Analysis

      • Enhanced Training and Learning Experience Using VR/AR

      • Health Optimization Modeling

    • Associate Professor of Systems and Industrial Engineering

      aergai@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-2199
      M 116

      Research Interests

      • System Safety Design

      • HFACS and CAST analysis

      • Human-Centered UX - HIT

      • Quality Improvement

      • Data Analysis

    • Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

      yfang9@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7460
      Q 142

      Research Interests

      • Brain-Inspired/Neuromorphic Computing

      • Energy-Efficient AI on Edge Devices

      • Novel Computing Systems On Emerging Nanodevices, Soft Materials

      Keywords: Robotics, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Vision, Optimization

    • Assistant Chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Professor of Industrial Engineering

      rkeyser@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7339
      M 113A

      Research Interests

      • Lean Production Systems

      • Work Measurement

      • Human Factors

      • Reliability

    • Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

      slee274@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7573
      Q 349

      Research Interests

      • Biomedical Optics

      • Neurophotonics

      Keywords: Quantitative Tissue Optical Spectroscopy, Miniaturized Wearable Sensor, Low-Cost Point-Of-Care Medical Device

    • Associate Professor of Systems Engineering

      lli19@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-2344
      M 123

      Research Interests

      • Statistical Analysis

      • System Simulation/ “What-If” Analysis

      • Decision Analysis and Optimization

      • Supply Chain Management

    • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      msalman1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-2438
      G 222

      Research Interests

      • Biomechanics/Bioacoustics

      • Vibration Analysis

      • Muscle Elastography

      • Design Engineering

      Keywords: Diagnostic Tool for Muscle Stiffness (Or Tone) Measurement, Prototyping A Force Sensing Glove for Chiropractors

    • Senior Associate Dean in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology and Professor of Industrial Engineering

      cscherre@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5413
      Q 329

      Research Skills

      • Economic Modeling: Comparing Interventions, Estimating Cost Under Uncertainty

      • Simulation/“What-If” Analysis

      • Statistical Needs Assessment

      • Health Optimization Modeling

    • Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      lshi@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7577
      Q 225

      Research Interests

      • Multiphysics Modeling

      • Finite Element Analysis

      • Graph Neural Networks

      • Soft Tissue Engineering

      • Cardiovascular Research

      Keywords: Graph Neural Networks, Finite Element Analysis, Soft Tissue Mechanical Property Characterization

    • Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      psucosky@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-3158
      Q 103

      Research Interests

      • Cardiovascular Mechanobiology

      • Experimental And Computational Hemodynamics

      • Medical Device Design and Development

      • Effects Of Deep-Space Microgravity on Arterial Function and Disease

      • Role Of Congenital Anatomical Defects in Heart Valve Calcification, Pulmonary Vein Stenosis and Discrete Subaortic Stenosis

      Keywords: Cardiovascular System, Hemodynamics, Fluid-Structure Interactions, Cell Culture, Biology

    • Associate Professor of Computer Engineering

      ctekes@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7432
      Q 250

      Research Interests

      • Catheter-based Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging Systems

      • Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

      • Real Time Array Processing

      • Biomedical Signal Processing

      Keywords: Ultrasound Imaging, IVUS, ICE, CMUT

    • Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering

      lvallad1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7242
      M 115

      Research Interests

      • Healthcare Engineering

      • Human Factors and Ergonomics

      • Decision-making and Mathematical Models

      • System Modeling and Simulation

      • Lean and Process Improvement in Healthcare Systems

  • Name
    Position

    • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      aaphale@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7835
      Q 103

      Research Interests

      • Materials For Clean Energy Technology

      • High-Temperature Oxidation and Corrosion Study

      • Fuel Cells and Supercapacitors

      • Carbon Nanomaterials- Graphene, CNTs, Quantum Dots

      Keywords: Materials Science, Energy, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Hydrogen Technology, Electrochemistry

    • Professor of Electrical Engineering

      ifergus3@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-3883
      Q 337B

      Research Interests

      • Solid State Lighting

      • Next Generation Solar Cells

      • High Temperature Thermoelectric Materials

      • Spintronic And Neuromorphic Materials

      • Thermal Neutron Detection

      Keywords: Compound Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Sensors, Illumination, Solar, TE and Spintronics

    • Assistant Professor of Innovative Materials

      bjiang1@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7246
      Q 143

      Research Interests

      • Innovative Nanomaterials

      • Solid State Li Metal Battery

      • Battery State of Charge (Soc) and State of Health (Soh) Prediction Model

      • Memory Device, Sensors

      Keywords: Energy Storage, Solid-State Batteries, Polymer, Nanocomposites, Interface Engineering

    • Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering

      bklein8@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-7439
      Q 256

      Research Interests

      • Simulation and Design of Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices

      • Atom Probe Tomography (APT)

      • Noise In Vertical-Cavity Surface- Emitting Lasers

      • Solar Cells

      • Spintronic Material and Device Characterization

    • Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

      jkwon9@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-5080
      L 112

      Research Interests

      • Stabilization Of Geomaterials and Recycled Materials

      • Geo-Materials Characterization Using Advanced Image Tool

      • Innovative Materials for Sustainable Engineering Applications

      • Mechanistic Analysis of Pavement and Railroad Track Embankment

      • Nondestructive Test (NDT) for Pavement and Railroad Track Condition Assessment

      Keywords: Sustainable Development, Innovative Materials

    • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      bli10@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-2751
      G 220

      Research Interests

      • Molecular Electronics

      • Innovative Materials

      • Self-Assembled Materials

      • Biomaterials/Nanomaterials

      • Artificial Neuron

      Keywords: Self-Assembly, Thermodynamics, Charge Transport

    • Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

      jpark186@kennesaw.edu
      (470) 578-6809
      G 218

      Research Interests

      • Nanoscale Heat Transfer

      • 3D Carbon Nanostructures

      • Graphene/Carbon Nanotube

      • Strain Effect on Thermal Conductivity in Nanomaterials

      • Molecular Dynamics Simulations

      • Thermal Properties of Nuclear Fuel Materials

      • Synthesis of 3D Carbon Nanostructures

      Keywords: Carbon Nanomaterials, Molecular Dynamics, Heat Transfer