Prof. Ramakrishna Gokaraju is a Professor and Graduate Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. His academic journey includes roles as Assistant Professor (2003), Associate Professor (2009), and full Professor (2015). He holds a B.E. from NIT Trichy (1992), M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Calgary (1996, 2000). His research focuses on power system protection, smart grids, and sustainable energy systems, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and renewable integration. He has advised 8 PhD and 25+ Master’s students, with over 80 publications in top journals/conferences. Dr. Gokaraju’s honors include the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship (1998–2000) and the Professor of the Year Award (2008). He has held visiting roles at the University of Manitoba (2009–2010), IIT Kanpur (2018), and institutions in Australia and India. His work emphasizes high-speed digital relaying, PMU-based solutions, and transient stability protection. Current research includes wind generator modeling, SMR integration, and energy storage systems for remote communities. His technical contributions span fault location algorithms, grid resilience enhancement, and GPU-based optimization for transport systems. Ongoing projects explore hybrid energy systems combining SMRs with renewables. Lab affiliations include the Power Systems Research Group at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on smart grid innovation and sustainable energy solutions.
Lars Nordström is a Professor at the Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems within KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. His work bridges control systems , communication networks , and power systems , with a focus on future architectures, functionality, and quality aspects of ICT for power grid operations. He has led initiatives such as the Swedish Centre of Electric Power Engineering and served as Thematic Leader for Smartgrids in KIC InnoEnergy. In 2014, he was a Visiting Professor at Washington State University. Education : Ph.D., MSc.EE Nordström's research explores the intersection of smart grids , machine learning , and cybersecurity for power systems. Key areas include: Wide-Area Monitoring and Control (WAMC) systems Decentralized control strategies for DC microgrids Impedance modeling using neural networks Data-driven methods for islanding detection ICT reliability and protocol design for grid operations His recent publications emphasize machine learning applications in power systems, including LSTM networks for EV charging management, graph attention networks for stability monitoring, and digital twin approaches for cyber-attack mitigation. These works span disciplines such as Smart Grids, Power Electronics, and Data Science. Scientific Recognitions : Senior Member, IEEE Senior Member, CIRED Senior Member, Cigre Past Chairman, Swedish IEC TC57 Mirror Committee Nordström actively teaches and examines graduate courses like Communication and Control in Electric Power Systems and Computer Applications and Machine Learning in Electric Power Systems . His work influences industry practices through collaborations on digital substations, energy market analysis, and resilience strategies.
Professor Gregor Verbic is a faculty member at the University of Sydney in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering , where he serves as Director of the Centre for Future Energy Networks . Previously, he held an assistant professor position at the University of Ljubljana and was a NATO-NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo. His career spans academic research, industry leadership as Head of Interenergo's Investment Department, and extensive collaboration with IEEE. PhD in Electrical Engineering (University of Ljubljana) Senior IEEE Member Research Interests focus on transforming power systems to zero-carbon grids through: Aggregation and control of distributed energy resources (DERs) Frequency control with wind generation and electric vehicles Stochastic optimization for multi-energy systems Smart home energy management with phase change materials Notable Contributions include: 2006 IEEE prize paper for voltage instability prediction 2010-2024: 15 recent publications on DER coordination, network tariffs, and low-inertia grid stability Teaching includes courses on: ELEC3203/ELEC9203: Electricity Networks ELEC5213: Engineering Optimisation ELEC5206: Sustainable Energy Systems Labs & Initiatives Centre for Future Energy Networks The Net Zero Institute
Sri Kolla, Ph.D. is a tenured Professor in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) , where he has served since August 2002. He also served as a Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (2017) and as a Fulbright Research Scholar (2008-2009). His academic career spans faculty roles at Penn State University, University of Toledo, and consortium graduate faculty at Indiana State University. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (University of Toledo, 1989) M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of Saskatchewan, 1986) M.E. in Electrical Engineering (Indian Institute of Science, 1983) B.E. in Electrical Engineering (Andhra University, 1981) Research Interests: Dr. Kolla specializes in Electrical Power and Energy Systems with Smart Grid applications, Control Systems for networked environments, and Machine Learning techniques for power system diagnostics. His work focuses on fault detection in microgrids using LSTM networks, stability robustness of discrete-time systems, and multi-agent protection schemes for power infrastructure. Scientific Contributions: Developed robust control frameworks for microgrid systems under parameter variations (2023-2025) Pioneered AI-based fault identification in induction motors and transformers (1995-2000) Advanced networked control system designs addressing time delays (2002-2012) Published 82+ technical articles in IEEE, ISA Transactions, and conference proceedings Honors and Recognition: Recipient of the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Award and Whiteford Scholarship . Senior member of IEEE and ISA , with listings in Marquis Who’s Who and fellowships in The Institute of Engineers (India) .
Vinod M. Vokkarane is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he serves as Director of the Center for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (SCyPS) and Director of Advanced Computer Network Labs. Previously, he was an Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth from 2004 to 2013 and a Visiting Scientist at MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics from 2011 to 2014. His extensive research portfolio spans multiple domains of advanced networking and cyber-physical systems. Dr. Vokkarane earned his educational foundation with a B.S. from University of Mysore, India (1999), followed by an M.S. (2001) and Ph.D. (2004) in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. His dissertation focused on optical burst-switched networks, establishing the foundation for his future research trajectory. His research interests center on Cyber-Physical Systems, Network Optimization, Reliability, Smart Grids, and Cyber-Security, with particular expertise in the design, analysis, and modeling of architectures, protocols, and algorithms for ultra-high speed networks including Optical networks, Grid/Cloud networks, and Big-data networks. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, often addressing critical challenges in network reliability, security, and efficiency. His research has received significant recognition through numerous best paper awards and substantial external funding. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear evolution toward increasingly sophisticated integration of cyber-physical systems with power infrastructure, particularly in the areas of grid resilience and observability. His work has expanded from fundamental optical networking research to address critical infrastructure challenges, with a growing emphasis on machine learning applications for network optimization and power system monitoring. The recent focus on PMU networks, disaster resilience, and cyber restoration demonstrates his strategic pivot toward addressing national security and critical infrastructure protection challenges. UMass Dartmouth Scholar of the Year Award (2011) UMass Dartmouth Chancellor's Innovation in Teaching Award (2010-11) University of Texas at Dallas Computer Science Dissertation of the Year Award (2003-04) Multiple Best Paper Awards including IEEE GLOBECOM 2005, IEEE ANTS 2010, ONDM 2015, ONDM 2016, and IEEE ANTS 2016 Texas Telecommunications Engineering Consortium Fellowship (2002-03) Dr. Vokkarane has successfully mentored numerous graduate students who have contributed significantly to his research projects, with several going on to successful careers in academia and industry. His research has been consistently supported by major funding agencies including NSF, DOE, and USMC, with recent projects totaling over $5 million in funding. Current projects include Unified Post-Disaster Restoration Planning for Cyber-Physical Power Distribution Systems (ONR, $550K), CyberCARE: Northeast University Cybersecurity Center (DOE, $3.5M), and Flexible Spectrum Allocation in Next-Generation Optical Networks (NSF, $350K). He leads the Center for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (SCyPS) and Advanced Computer Network Labs at UMass Lowell, where his research teams work on cutting-edge problems in network architecture, cyber-physical security, and infrastructure resilience. His labs collaborate extensively with national laboratories and industry partners to translate theoretical advances into practical solutions for real-world infrastructure challenges.
Professor Dragan Jovcic is the Chair in Engineering at the University of Aberdeen's School of Engineering , where he has been a faculty member since 2004 and a full professor since 2012. Concurrently he serves as Director of the Aberdeen HVDC Research Centre , a role he has held since 2015. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Auckland, 1999 Diploma Engineer in Control Systems, University of Belgrade, 1993 Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching, University of Ulster, 2003 Research Interests: Professor Jovcic’s research centres on high-power electronics and HVDC transmission systems , with particular emphasis on the development of DC transmission grids that will enable large-scale integration of offshore wind energy . His work spans DC/DC converters , DC circuit breakers , modular multilevel converters (MMC) , flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) , and advanced power system modelling and control . The overarching goal is to underpin the transition from fossil-fuel generation to renewable-dominated power systems, especially in the North Sea and European contexts. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2020-2023) reveal a strong focus on DC protection technologies —notably circuit breakers and energy absorbers—and on modelling methodologies for HVDC grids and offshore wind integration. The works address both theoretical advances (phasor and state-space models) and experimental validation (kV-level prototypes), reflecting a balanced portfolio of fundamental research and practical demonstration. Scientific Awards & Recognition: IEEE Fellow (2021) IEEE PES Distinguished Lecturer (since 2015) IET Fellow (2019) and Chartered Engineer (2018) Research Funding & Supervision: With over £5.5 million in external research income, Professor Jovcic is principal investigator or work-package leader on numerous EU Horizon Europe and EPSRC projects. He has supervised 9 PhDs to completion and is currently mentoring 2 PhD students and 2 post-doctoral fellows . Major grants include the €35 million PROMOTioN project on multiterminal DC networks and the €4 million MoWiLife project on wide-bandgap power electronics. Laboratory & Facilities: The Aberdeen HVDC Research Centre hosts a 0.9 kV DC grid demonstrator , 30 kW thyristor- and IGBT-based DC/DC converters , and 5 kV, 2 kA DC circuit breaker test benches , providing a world-class platform for experimental research and student training.
Yue Zhao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University, with an affiliated appointment in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Prior to this, she held postdoctoral positions at Stanford University and Princeton University. She earned her Ph.D. from UCLA in 2011 and B.E. from Tsinghua University in 2006. Her research focuses on smart grid systems, renewable energy integration, machine learning applications in power systems, and game-theoretic approaches to electricity markets. Key areas include transportation electrification, demand response mechanisms, and cyber-physical security of grid infrastructure. She teaches courses on digital signal processing, convex optimization, and communication systems. Her work spans over 50 publications in top journals and conferences like IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and ACM e-Energy. Notable contributions include dynamic state estimation frameworks for inverter-based resources, incentive-compatible market mechanisms for renewable aggregation, and cyber attack detection methodologies. Dr. Zhao advises a research group focused on interdisciplinary challenges in energy systems. Current openings exist for Ph.D. students with strong analytical backgrounds. Sponsors include NSF, DOE, and industry collaborators.
Chengzong Pang is an Associate Professor and MSECE Graduate Coordinator at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Wichita State University. His work focuses on power systems, electrical engineering innovations, and renewable energy integration. He specializes in transient stability analysis, control systems, and smart grid technologies. Research Interests: Dr. Pang's expertise includes advanced control strategies for power electronics (e.g., PMSM, UPQC), machine learning applications for grid stability (LSTM/SVM), and energy storage solutions for renewable integration. His research also addresses challenges in microgrid operation, subsynchronous oscillation mitigation, and battery storage systems. Key Trends in Publications: Over 20 years of publications (2002–2022) emphasize: (1) Machine learning for power system analysis, (2) Control system design for renewable integration, (3) Grid stability enhancement via advanced algorithms, and (4) Smart grid infrastructure optimization. Recent works (2021–2022) highlight transient stability prediction and ANFIS-based power quality solutions. Labs/Teams: Active in energy systems research groups focusing on renewable integration and grid modernization, though specific lab names are not explicitly stated in the provided texts.
Dr. Aliakbar Jamshidi Far is a Lecturer at the School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, since December 2017. Previously, he served as a Research Fellow at the Aberdeen HVDC Centre (2012-2017) and as an Assistant Professor at the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (2008-2012). Dr. Jamshidi Far holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from AmirKabir University (2008), an MSc from Iran University of Science and Technology (1996), and a BSc from Sharif University of Technology (1992). He is an IET Chartered Engineer, Senior Member of IEEE, and member of CIGRE Working Group B4.76. His research focuses on Modeling and control of HVDC systems and DC grids High-power AC/DC and DC/DC converters Hybrid DC circuit breakers Ultrasound applications in Oil & Gas Renewable energy integration Recent publications highlight trends in Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) for DC grids Flux Switching Machine optimization Ultrasound-based scale removal technology Wave energy for remote islands Smart microgrids for Indonesia and Nigeria Advanced DC circuit breaker designs Dr. Jamshidi Far has secured significant funding including £204k from the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (2019-2021, Co-PI) £42k Consultancy from BP PLC (2019-2020, PI) EU Horizon 2020 PROMOTion Project (2016-2017, Research Fellow) SSE-funded DC converter research (2015-2016, Research Fellow) ERC-funded DC systems modeling (2012-2014, Research Fellow) Teaching responsibilities include Undergraduate: EE3579 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering Design Postgraduate: EG551K/55M5 - Renewable Energy Integration to Grid (Coordinator) EG503V/503W - Solar Energy (Coordinator) EG501H/504B - Electrical Systems for Renewable Energy (Coordinator) He supervises MEng/BEng and MSc students in Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas, and Subsea programs.
Charu Sharma is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, specializing in power systems and smart grid technologies. Her work focuses on reactive power control, voltage stability, and optimization of renewable energy-integrated networks. Research on cyber-physical co-simulation frameworks for real-time grid management Development of hybrid renewable energy microgrids for rural and industrial applications Expertise in optimization algorithms (e.g., BFOA-PSO, ANFIS) for energy systems Recent publications highlight her contributions to DER-enriched distribution networks, low-inertia system stability, and intelligent load frequency control. She actively collaborates with researchers on projects like Cooperative Isolated Renewable Energy Systems and arcICE , addressing reliability and sustainability challenges.
Dr. Aleksandar Dimitrovski is an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science. Holding a Ph.D. in Power Engineering from Saints Cyril and Methodius University (1997), his research focuses on power system modeling under uncertainty, microgrid protection, parallel simulation techniques, and renewable energy integration. Ph.D., Power Engineering, Saints Cyril and Methodius University (1997) Active research areas: Power System Protection, Parallel Simulation, Solar Integration, Magnetic Amplifiers His publications emphasize advanced simulation algorithms like Parareal, probabilistic forecasting for solar power, and magnetic reactor applications in grid control. He has led DOE-funded projects on solar integration and real-time grid protection. Fulbright Scholar (2016) R&D 100 Award (2014) Prof. Dimitrovski serves as an IEEE Senior Member, CIGRE member, and reviewer for journals like IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and Smart Grid. He developed the open-source RAPID simulation toolbox and contributed to cyber-physical security frameworks for smart grids.
Paul Urayama is Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics at Miami University , where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University (2001) and dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Biological Sciences from UC Irvine (1994). Urayama's research focuses on experimental biological physics , particularly fluorescence-based metabolic sensing under high hydrostatic pressure with applications in mitochondrial function and biomedical imaging . His recent publications in Analytical Chemistry , Journal of Biophotonics , and RSC Advances highlight student co-authorship and development of spectral phasor approaches for cellular metabolic monitoring . His work demonstrates strong trends in high-pressure biophysics , autofluorescence analysis , and optical sensing for mitochondrial studies in turbid media containing collagen or hemoglobin . Key subfields include fluorescence lifetime imaging , metabolic pathway differentiation , and biomedical applications of spectral phasor analysis . Scientific awards include the College of Arts and Science Distinguished Educator Award . Students interact with him through the National Fellowships Committee and Goldwater Scholarship representation. His lab graduates pursue doctoral programs in physics , biophysics , and medical school , or enter technical employment . He has secured grants from the National Science Foundation and Research Corporation for biological physics research involving students. The lab actively trains undergraduates and master's students in high-pressure biophysics and fluorescence-based sensing , with members presenting at national conferences like the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting and SPIE Photonics West .
Professor Gareth Taylor is a Professor of Power Systems and Director of the Brunel Interdisciplinary Power Systems (BIPS) Research Centre at Brunel University London's College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. He serves as Module Leader for the MSc Sustainable Electrical Power program and has been actively involved with the university since May 2000, progressing from National Grid Post-doctoral Scholar to his current position as Professor (appointed in 2012). He previously served as Head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering from May 2019 to June 2023 and holds a Visiting Professor position at Imperial College London (2023-2026). Professor Taylor earned his BSc in Applied Physics from Royal Holloway College, University of London (1987), followed by an MSc in Scientific and Engineering Software Technology from the University of Greenwich (1992), and completed his PhD in Computational Solid Mechanics at the University of Greenwich in March 1997. His doctoral research focused on finite volume methods for material non-linearity within multi-physics frameworks. His research spans power systems engineering with particular emphasis on smart grid technologies, renewable energy integration, and advanced computational methods. Professor Taylor has contributed to over 250 research publications in areas including power system operation and management, reactive power control, voltage regulation, and high-performance computing applications in electrical power systems. His work addresses critical challenges in modern power systems, particularly those related to the integration of renewable energy sources and the development of more resilient grid infrastructure. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on addressing contemporary power system challenges, particularly the integration of renewable energy sources, smart grid technologies, and advanced computational methods. His work spans from fundamental power system analysis to practical applications in grid operation, with increasing emphasis on cybersecurity aspects of power system monitoring and the challenges posed by reduced system inertia in grids with high renewable penetration. Senior Member of IEEE Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (FIET) Chartered Engineer Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) UK Regular Member for CIGRE Study Committee D2 (2016-2022) Member of Strategic Advisory Group for CIGRE Study Committee D2 (2023) Professor Taylor has led numerous significant research projects including TDX-ASSIST (€5.2M), e-HIGHWAY2050 (€8.2M), and HiPerDNO (€5.4M), with funding from EPSRC, European Commission, National Grid, and other major organizations. His current research portfolio includes projects on novel decoupled active/reactive power oscillation response, digitalization of power systems operation, and examining net zero policy in European energy markets. He also directs the BIPS Research Centre, which focuses on interdisciplinary power systems research with strong industry connections.
Regan Zane is the David G. and Diann L. Sant Endowed Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Utah State University. His research focuses on high-efficiency power converters for transportation electrification, battery systems, and microgrid applications. PhD, MS, BS in Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder IEEE Fellow and recipient of 15+ scientific awards including NSF CAREER and IEEE Bass Award Recent work emphasizes dynamic wireless charging for electric vehicles, second-life battery reconditioning , and high-frequency converter design . Publications span topics in ZVS analysis, resonant topologies, and grid-integrated systems. Key awards include: 2020 Utah Clean Cities Sustainability Partner of the Year 2019 Utah Innovation Award in Clean Technology 2008 IEEE Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Engineer Mentored 20+ graduate students in power electronics and electrified transportation projects. Led development of USU's EVR Research Facility and contributed to DARPA/MIT collaborations on solid-state hydraulic systems.
Antonios Papaemmanouil is the Head of the Institute of Electrical Engineering and the Competence Center for Digital Energy and Electric Power at the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture (HSLU). He holds an MSc from the University of Patras, Greece, and a PhD from ETH Zurich. His academic rank is Lecturer in the field of Digital Energy and Electric Power. His work focuses on digitalization of power systems, e-mobility integration, and local energy markets. Education: MSc in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Patras PhD in Power Systems Planning, ETH Zurich Research interests include smart grids, data-driven power systems, digital infrastructure management, and decentralized AI applications. He leads projects such as SWEET RECIPE, LANTERN, and ENFLATE, which address energy transition challenges. His work emphasizes grid analytics, asset management, and innovation in energy systems. Key projects include studies on e-mobility aggregation, federated learning for load forecasting, and stability validation of hydropower plants using Hardware-in-the-Loop. His research outputs span peer-reviewed articles on topics like fault detection in distribution networks and decarbonization strategies for local electricity systems. Professional roles include Track Chair at IEEE Smart Cities Conference 2022 and Co-Guest Editor for Journal MDPI Energies . He actively contributes to Swiss energy initiatives via SwissT.Net and IEEE PES Schweiz.
