Aydin Zaboli
Ph.D. in EECE,
Rackham Graduate School,
University of Michigan
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Short Bio:
Short Bio:
As a power system researcher with over a decade of experience, I combine traditional engineering principles with cutting-edge AI algorithms to tackle complex challenges in smart grid technology and power system security. I received my Ph.D. degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE) from the University of Michigan's College of Engineering and Computer Science under the supervision of Prof. Junho Hong, which focused on AI-based anomaly detection in IEC61850-based communications messages and energy management systems (EMSs). My expertise spans power systems, renewable energy resources, and distributed energy systems, with particular emphasis on leveraging AI for security enhancement, diagnostics, anomaly detection, and load forecasting in DERs. Further, I serves as a reviewer for several prestigious journals and conferences in the fields of smart grids, transportation electrification, and autonomous driving. Also, I am a recipient of the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship from the University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School, from 2024 to 2025.
As a power system researcher with over a decade of experience, I combine traditional engineering principles with cutting-edge AI algorithms to tackle complex challenges in smart grid technology and power system security. I received my Ph.D. degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE) from the University of Michigan's College of Engineering and Computer Science under the supervision of Prof. Junho Hong, which focused on AI-based anomaly detection in IEC61850-based communications messages and energy management systems (EMSs). My expertise spans power systems, renewable energy resources, and distributed energy systems, with particular emphasis on leveraging AI for security enhancement, diagnostics, anomaly detection, and load forecasting in DERs. Further, I serves as a reviewer for several prestigious journals and conferences in the fields of smart grids, transportation electrification, and autonomous driving. Also, I am a recipient of the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship from the University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School, from 2024 to 2025.
Research Interests:
Security of Smart Grids, AI in Energy, Energy Management Systems, Anomaly Detection, DER Integration, Load Forecasting, Security of Autonomous Vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Transportation Electrification, and Power Quality.
News:
[Aug'25] - I have successfully defended my Ph.D. dissertation titled "AI-Driven Anomaly Detection in Modern Power Systems" at the University of Michigan, under the supervision of Prof. Junho Hong.
[July'25] - I had the opportunity to present my paper entitled "Leveraging Conversational Generative AI for Anomaly Detection in Digital Substations,” at 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM) in Austin, TX, USA. (arXiv)
[May'25] - Our paper, entitled "An Advanced Generative AI-Based Anomaly Detection in IEC61850-Based Communication Messages in Smart Grids," has been published in IEEE Access. Thanks to South Korean organizations! (Paper)
[May'25] - I had the opportunity to present my poster entitled "Enhancing Power System Resilience Against Emerging Cyber Threats: Novel Solutions for Anomaly Detection in Digital Substations,” at 2025 IES Energy Symposium at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
[April'25] - Granted the 2025 IEEE PES General Meeting Student Housing Support (4 nights) and a poster presentation as a Poster Contest Program on July 2025, Austin, TX. Thanks to IEEE Power & Energy Society!
[April'25] - Awarded the Rackham Professional Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certificate at the DEI ceremony held at Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, MI on April 22, 2025.
[April'25] - Awarded the CECS Doctoral Student Conference Travel Grant to attend the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) General Meeting (GM) in Austin, TX. Thanks to CECS at University of Michigan!
[Mar'25] - I have successfully passed the Ph.D. proposal exam by research focused on anomaly detection in IEC61850-based communication messages and energy management systems (EMSs).
[Mar'25] - Our paper, entitled "Leveraging Conversational Generative AI for Anomaly Detection in Digital Substations," has been accepted for a presentation at the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM) in Austin, TX, USA from July 27-31, 2025.
[Jan'25] - Our U.S. patent, entitled "Machine learning and data classification for operating a device such as a vehicle" has been officially granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), thanks to Ford Global Technologies, LLC & The Regents of the University of Michigan. (Link)
[Dec'24] - Awarded the EXP+ Student Independent Research Grant 2024-25 from the University of Michigan-Dearborn to conduct research on "Application of Generative AI for Anomaly Detection in Power Systems." Thanks to University of Michigan-Dearborn!
[Oct'24] - Attended 2024 13th Annual Grid Security Conference (GridSecCon 2024) as a speaker to deliver a presentation titled "Enhancing Anomaly Detection in Power Flow Analysis: A Large Language Model-based Image Analysis" in a Breakout Session on Oct. 24, in Minneapolis, MN.
[Sep'24] - We had the final presentation of "AI System Security Detection Monitoring Research" project based on the Ford-UM Research Alliance Program at the Rotunda Center - Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI. Thanks to Ford Motor Company!
[Aug'24] - Awarded the EXP+ Student Conference Presentation Grant 2024-25 ($500) to attend 2024 13th GridSecCon Annual Grid Security Conference in Minneapolis, MN. Thanks to University of Michigan-Dearborn!
[July'24] - Our abstract, entitled "Enhancing Anomaly Detection in Power Flow Analysis: A Large Language Model-based Image Analysis" has been accepted for an oral presentation in a one-hour Breakout Session in 2024 13th Annual Grid Security Conference (GridSecCon 2024) in Minneapolis, MN, on Oct. 24, 2024. (Link)
[July'24] - I had the opportunity to present my paper entitled "ChatGPT and Other Large Language Models for Cybersecurity of Smart Grid Applications,” at 2024 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM) in Seattle, WA, USA. (arXiv)
[June'24] - We had the opportunity to present our papers entitled "Object-focused Risk Evaluation of AI-driven Perception Systems in Autonomous Vehicles," and “An Enhanced Classification Technique for Mitigating Unexpected Noise Intrusions in Autonomous Vehicles,” at 2024 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference & Expo (ITEC 2024) in Rosemont, IL, USA. (Posters)
[May'24] - Our paper, entitled "A Comprehensive Review of Behind-the-Meter Distributed Energy Resources Load Forecasting: Models, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies," has been accepted to be published in Energies - Special Issue: Blockchain, IoT and Smart Grids Challenges for Energy II, 2024. (Link)
[May'24] - Our poster, entitled "A Context-Awareness Method for Cyber-Physical Security of Autonomous Vehicles," has been selected as a finalist for the CCAT Student Poster Competition at 2024 Global Symposium on Mobility Innovation in Ann Arbor, MI, presented by Mcity and UMTRI on May 22, 2024. (Link) (Abstract) (Poster)
[May'24] - Awarded the CECS Doctoral Student Conference Travel Grant to attend the 2024 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) General Meeting (GM) in Seattle, WA. Thanks to CECS at University of Michigan!
[April'24] - Awarded the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School, 2024-2025. (Link) (Abstract)
[April'24] - Granted the 2024 IEEE PES General Meeting Student Housing Support (4 nights) and a poster presentation as a Poster Contest Program on July 2024. Thanks to IEEE Power & Energy Society!
[April'24] - Our book chapter, entitled "A Grid Planning and Optimization Tool for Substation Overload Reduction," has been published in Microgrid: Design, Optimization, and Applications, Chapter 15, CRC Press, 2024. Thanks to NSF! (Link)
[April'24] - Attended a hands-on training session on "Harnessing the Power of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) Simulation: Accelerating Digital Power Innovation in e-Mobility and Grid Modernization", hosted at the UM-Dearborn, organized in collaboration with Typhoon HIL, Inc., DTE Energy, and LS Electric and supported LS Electric team in the hands-on training session.
[April'24] - Attended a three-day hands-on training session for a developed Microgrid Controller Software integrated with Typhoon HIL held by LS Electric at the Power System Laboratory, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
[Feb'24] - Our two papers, entitled "Object-focused Risk Evaluation of AI-driven Perception Systems in Autonomous Vehicles," and “An Enhanced Classification Technique for Mitigating Unexpected Noise Intrusions in Autonomous Vehicles,” have been accepted for presentations at the 2024 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference & Expo (ITEC) in Chicago, IL, USA.
[Feb'24] - Our paper, entitled "ChatGPT and Other Large Language Models for Cybersecurity of Smart Grid Applications," has been accepted for a presentation at the 2024 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM) in Seattle, WA, USA. (arXiv)
[Dec'23] - Our paper, entitled "A Survey on Cyber-Physical Security of Autonomous Vehicles Using a Context Awareness Method," has been published in IEEE Access. Thanks to the Ford/U-M Research Alliance Program! (Paper)
[July'23] - Attended the 2023 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) General Meeting (GM) in Orlando, FL, to present a poster of my paper titled "A Machine Learning Based Short-term Load Forecasting Method for Behind-the-Meter DERs." (Paper) (Poster)
[June'23] - My book chapter, entitled "Comparison of Different Configurations of Saturated Core Fault Current Limiters in a Power Grid by Numerical Method: A Review," has been published in Springer. (Link)
[May'23] - Our paper, entitled "An LSTM-SAE-based Behind-the-Meter Load Forecasting Method," in collaboration with researchers from South Korea, got accepted in IEEE Access. Thanks to South Korean organizations! (Paper)
[May'23] - Awarded the CECS Doctoral Student Conference Travel Grant to attend the 2023 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) General Meeting (GM) in Orlando, FL. Thanks to CECS at University of Michigan!
[May'23] - Finalized the E-Challenge 5 Energy Conservation Measure for Michigan Universities for a project entitled "Improving Energy Efficiency in Campus Buildings using Artificial Intelligence and Multi-source Data Fusion" with financial support. Thanks to DTE and the Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD)! (Link)
[Apr'23] - Our paper, entitled "A Coordinated Power Grid Optimization Considering Reliability and Chance-Constrained Approaches," has been accepted and presented virtually at the 2023 IEEE Kansas Power and Energy Conference, Manhattan, KS, USA. (Paper)
[April'23] - Granted the 2023 IEEE PES General Meeting Student Housing Support (4 nights) and a poster presentation as a Poster Contest Program on July 2023. Thanks to IEEE Power & Energy Society!
[Apr'23] - Achieved the Ph.D. Candidacy after finalizing all coursework and the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam.
[Mar'23] - Filed a patent entitled "Machine Learning and Data Classification for Operating a Device Such as a Vehicle," according to the Ford/U-M Research Alliance Program.
[Mar'23] - Passed the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam.
[Feb'23] - Our work, entitled "An Integrated Approach of Threat Analysis for Autonomous Vehicles Perception System," got accepted in IEEE Access. (Paper)
[Feb'23] - Our paper, entitled "A Machine Learning-based Short-term Load Forecasting Method for Behind-the-meter DERs," has been accepted for a presentation at the 2023 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM) in Orlando, FL, USA. Thanks to South Korean organizations!
[Dec'22] - Our book chapter, entitled "Stray Current and Rail Potential Control Strategies in Electric Railway Systems," in Transportation Electrification: Breakthroughs in Electrified Vehicles, Aircraft, Rolling Stock, and Watercraft, has been published by IEEE-Wiley Press. (Link)
[Oct'22] - Our paper, entitled "Automated Cybersecurity Tester for IEC61850-Based Digital Substations," has been published in Energies. (Link)
[Sep'22] - Attended a five-day ABB Distributed Management System (DMS) training based on hands-on practices at the Power System Engineering Laboratory of UM-Dearborn.
[Aug'22] - Served as a graduate student mentor of the 2022 NSF REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Sustainable Energy (URISE) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for a building energy efficiency project. Thanks to NSF! (Poster)
[July'22] - Attended the 2022 CyberAuto Challenge (a week-long, hands-on physical cybersecurity educational event) in Warren, MI, USA with granted housing support. Thanks to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)!
[May'22] - Attended the 2022 Michigan Energy Efficiency Conference and Exhibition in Novi, MI, USA.
[Oct'21] - Joined the E-Challenge 5 Energy Conservation Measure for Michigan Universities for a project entitled "Improving Energy Efficiency in Campus Buildings using Artificial Intelligence and Multi-source Data Fusion," supported by DTE and ESD. (Link)
[Sep'21] - Joined the University of Michigan as a Rackham Ph.D. student in Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering program.
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