Team & Contact

Professor

Director, Translational AI Center (TrAC), Iowa State University, https://trac-ai.iastate.edu/

Associate Director, AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture (AIIRA), https://aiira.iastate.edu/

Plant Science Institute Faculty Scholar

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Computer Science

Human Computer Interaction Graduate Program

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2011

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2009

M.S. Mathematics, Penn State University, 2009

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, 2006

Dr. Soumik Sarkar received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State in 2011. Currently he is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Director of the Translational AI Center at Iowa State. He also serves as the Associate Director of the USDA-NIFA sponsored AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture (AIIRA). Dr. Sarkar’s research interests include Machine Learning and Decision & Control with applications to Cyber-Physical Systems such as energy, transportation, design & manufacturing and agriculture systems. He co‐authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and received about $55M research funding during his tenure at Iowa State. He won the ASME DSCD Rudolf Kalman Best Paper Award in 2021. Dr. Sarkar is a recipient of the prestigious NSF CISE Career Initiation Initiative (CRII) award in 2015, Young Investigator award from the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in 2017 and the NSF CAREER award in 2019.

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

Joshua is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering, who joined Dr. Sarkar’s lab in Spring 2020. He is currently learning the concepts of machine learning along with gaining hands-on experience. His research interests include machine learning, deep learning, robotics, computer vision, and human-machine interaction. 

B.S. Mathematics, Iowa State University, 2020

Ethan is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering and joined the Self-aware Complex Systems Laboratory in Summer 2020. He received his B.S. in Mathematics at Iowa State University in Spring 2020. His current research interests are in machine learning, deep learning, and optimization. He is currently working on applying deep learning methods for topology optimization. His other activities include high-powered rocketry, cooking, and various outdoor activities. 

M.S. Statistics, University of Calcutta, 2016

B.S. Statistics, University of Calcutta, 2014

Souradeep is currently a Ph.D. student and joined the lab in Spring 2021. He is interested in machine learning especially unsupervised learning methods and its applications to various domains. He has a very deep interest in astronomy and over the past two years have published papers which involve analyzing astronomical data using machine learning methods. His hobbies include singing and reading, his favorite author being Dan Brown. He is also an ardent fan of Sherlock Holmes.

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 2018

Zahid is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University. He joined Dr. Soumik's lab in the Summer 2021 semester. His research interest includes Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Cyber-Physical System design. He is currently working on deep learning and computer vision in intelligent driving applications. His hobbies include cycling, soccer, table tennis, hiking, and photography.

B.S. Automation, University of Science and Technology of China, 2014

B.S. Business Administration, University of Science and Technology of China, 2014

Jiale is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science. He joined the Self-aware Complex Systems Laboratory in Summer 2021. Before that, he worked in ARLab in Virtual Reality Applications Center at ISU for five years, and his main efforts are in individual projects funded by Collins Aerospace. He interned at Collins Aerospace in the summers of 2017 and 2018. His research interests include deep learning, computer vision, and computer graphics. In his spare time, he keeps a consistent workout routine and enjoys playing PC games and watching movies.

M.S. Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, 2020

B.S. Engineering Science and Ocean Engineering, National Taiwan University, 2018

Hsin-Jung is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University. He joined the Self-aware Complex Systems Laboratory in Fall 2021 and his research interests include machine learning, deep learning, mechatronics, and robotics. His other interests include hiking and photography.

B.E. Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, 2019

Timilehin Ayanlade is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Self-aware Complex Systems Laboratory in Spring 2022. He holds a B.E. degree in Agricultural Engineering. His main research interests include machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision. He will focus on machine learning and deep learning in his Ph.D. thesis. He is also interested in playing chess, reading books, and public speaking.

M.S. Industrial Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, 2015

B.S. Industrial Engineering, Semnan University of Science and Technology, Semnan, Iran 2013

Mahsa Khosravi is a Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering and joined the Self-aware Complex Systems in Summer 2021. Her M.S. degree was in the field of cancer diagnosis and recurrence prediction using machine learning. Her main research interests include Reinforcement learning, machine learning, deep learning, and robotics. She is also interested in playing the piano, reading books, and rock climbing.

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020

Qisai is currently a Ph.D. student at Iowa State University. In summer 2019, he had two internship experiences related to robotics and manufacturing. He enjoys working on machine learning and robotics related problems. 

B.S. Marine Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Nastaran is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering, who joined Dr. Sarkar’s lab in the Fall 2022. Her current research interests are in machine learning, deep learning, robotics and control. She is also interested in reading books, hiking and watching movies.

M.S. Computer Engineering, American University of Sharjah, 2021

B.S. Computer Science, Lahore University of Management Sciences, 2019

Arbab is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Iowa State University. Since joining Dr. Soumik's lab in Spring 2022, his research has primarily centered around 3D reconstructions using neural radiance fields (NeRFs), with specific applications on soybean plants. In addition, He explores the intersections of machine learning, computer vision, and generative AI in his work.

M.Tech. Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India, 2013

B.S. Electronics and Telecommunication, Army institute of technology, Pune, India, 2007

Ashutosh Kumar Nirala is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University. He is currently working under the supervision of Dr. Soumik Sarkar and Dr. Jin Tian. His primary research resides in the domain of Adversarial Robustness. His endeavors are centered around the development of methodologies that bestow empirical resilience upon deep learning models, while concurrently establishing avenues for their theoretical certification.

Ph.D. Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Tsinghua University, 2013

B.E. Thermal and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 2008

Chao joined the lab in August 2015. His research interests mainly focus on two areas- one is diagnosis, prognosis, and health monitoring, with experiences in feature extraction and selection, fault identification, and remaining useful life prediction by physical model and statistical model; the other is structure dynamics, with experiences in dynamics of structures and rotor systems, development of finite element method applied in dynmics of cracked rotor system, and experimental study on rotor systems.

He is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Thermal Engineering, Tsinghua University.  

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

M.S. Information Systems, Middle East Technical University, 2014

M.S. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 2010

B.S. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 2007

Onur joined SCS lab in Fall 2019 semester as a Postdoctoral Researcher. During his Ph.D. studies, he has developed a variety of open-source software libraries for computer graphics and computational mechanics, and shared on GitHub. His research interests include computer graphics, computational geometry, high performance computing and robotics.

He is currently working at Palo Alto Research Center (PARC).

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020

B.E. Hons. Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani, 2014 

Aditya Balu was a Ph.D. student at Iowa State University under joint supervision of Dr. Adarsh Krishnamurthy and Dr. Soumik Sarkar. He received his undergraduate degree in 2014 from Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani. Previously, he worked at FMC Technologies Inc. for two years. His research interests include Design for Manufacturing, Machine Learning and High Performance Computing applications to solve Engineering problems. 

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2016

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2014

Kin has worked on multi-agent systems and implemented machine learning algorithms to solve physical engineering problems. His projects were on network topology control in multi-agent proximity networks, application of Deep Learning models for microfluidic pillar sculpting, low-light image denoising, decision making in cyber-physical systems, and in prognostics and health monitoring. He has a burning passion in creativity - from making digital arts and playing musical instruments to video editing and programming.

He graduated from ​SCS lab in December 2016 and is currently working in United Technologies Research Center at East Hartford, CT, USA. 

M.S. Department of Computer Science, Iowa State University, 2016

B. Tech. Electronics and Communications Engineering, 2012

A mysterious student who shows up in the lab only late at night and on the weekends. Even his profile picture seems mysterious! 

M.S. Computer Science, ​Iowa State University, 2016 

He is currently working in Twilio as a Senior Software Engineer.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2017

M.S. Control Systems, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, 2014

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, 2009

Adedotun was a Ph.D. Student in the Mechanical Engineering department. He became a member to Dr. Soumik Sarkar's lab in the Fall of 2014. His research interests are in data and systems modelling, computational intelligence, active energy controls in buildings, optimization and combinatorics. He likes to drive around town, interact with people and read.

He graduated from SCSlab in December 2017 and is currently working in Intel as a Graphics Software Engineer at Folsom, CA. 

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2018

​B.S. Automotive Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, 2012

Linjiang has worked on graphical modeling for cyber-physical systems for engineering problems. His studies are traffic sensor health monitoring, building energy consumption analysis and prediction, and application of Deep Learning techniques for feature extracting and fault detection.  He has a passion for automotive engineering and is a well-versed automotive engineer.

He graduated from ​SCS lab in May 2018 and is currently working in Hi-Lex Controls Inc. at Rochester Hills, MI, USA.  

M.S. Computer Science, ​Iowa State University, 2018

​B.E. Computer Engineering, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, 2016

Apurva joined the lab in Spring 2017. She has a passion for Computer Science and is deeply rooted in solving puzzles and developing programs. She focuses herself on the use of technology with a responsible, ethical stand. She hopes to contributing in making machines more intelligent and taking A.I to the next level. In the lab, she hopes to learn and use Machine Learning techniques.

She graduated from SCS lab in May 2018 and is currently working in Kingland Systems as a Software Designer.  

M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2015

M.Tech. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, VJTI, 2010

B.S. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Auroras Engineering College, 2008

Venkatesh was a Ph.D. student from the Mechanical Engineering department. His research interests are on building control systems, distributed optimization, diffusion maps, passivity-based control, flatness-based control and feedback linearization. He likes badminton, tennis, and cooking. 

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Iowa State University, 2018

​​M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014

Shuo is currently working as Senior Systems Engineer in NVIDIA at Santa Clara, CA 

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2018

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2014

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Shenzhen University, 2011

Zhanhong  joined the lab since Fall 2014. His research interests mainly focus on the areas of cyber-physical systems, multi-agent systems, system dynamics, and optimization. His hobbies in daily life include playing tennis, cooking, and reading.

He graduated from ​SCS lab in December 2018 and is currently working as Data Scientist in Johnson Controls, Milwaukee, WI, USA. 

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

M.S Computer Science, Iowa State University, 2019

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2017

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, 2015

Sambuddha joined the lab in Fall 2015. His research interests are control systems, cyber physical systems, dynamics and optimization, deep learning & machine learning. Recent works include: Anomaly detection in large scale cyber physical systems and application of sparsity promoting dynamic mode decomposition to detect characteristic features and dynamics of complex fluid flows (for eg, combustion flames) from snapshot data. He has interests in playing the piano, playing chess, biking and shooting.

He graduated from ​SCS lab in July 2019 and is currently a post doctorate at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 2017

Erasmus Mundus Scholar, 2015 - 2016

Truong joined the lab Fall 2017. His research Interests are Computer Vision, Robotics and Software Engineering. He has experience working with embedded computersion system (using C++ with Qt framework) as well as hardware accelerated Machine Learning using GPU clusters (using Tensorflow) and mobile device (using Apple CoreML) . His current work involves applying Machine Learning in Plant Science and 3D reconstruction of Plant using mobile device. In his free time, Truong enjoy Photography and reading novel.

​He graduated from SCS lab in December 2019 and is currently a Security Analyst at VinCSS.

​​M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

B.S Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2016

Zhisheng joined the lab Spring 2017. His research interests are deep learning and machine learning application to engineering problems. He is currently working on the deep learning application for plant science and agricultural which is based on object classification, localization, and detection.

​He graduated from SCS lab in July 2019 and is currently working in Bayer Crop Science as a Image Data Scientist, St. Louis, MO.

​​B.E. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, BITS Pilani, 2014

​Ameya is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University jointly supervised by Prof. Soumik Sarkar and Prof. Chinmay Hegde. He received his undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani in 2014. He has previously worked at SigTuple technologies, Bengaluru. His research interests include robust machine learning with applications in medicine and manufacturing, distributed learning and cyber-physical systems.

He moved to New York University in January 2020 to continue his Ph.D. studies.

M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020

B.TECH, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Heritage Institute of Technology, 2016

Amitangshu is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University under joint supervision of Prof. Chinmay Hegde and Prof. Soumik Sarkar. During his undergraduate days he did a couple of industrial internships at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Siemens India Pvt Ltd. He also worked as a summer research intern at New Jersey Institute of Technology in summer 2015.  He joined Dr. Soumik Sarkar’s lab in Fall 2018 and his research interests include Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Generative Modelling, Adversarial Learning with applications in the domain of autonomous vehicles. His other interests include travelling, playing soccer and table tennis, hiking and reading comics.

He graduated with M.S. in Computer Engineering in Fall 2019 and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Nanoelectronics Research Laboratory, Purdue University.

Ph.D. Major: Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020​

         Comajor: Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020

B.Tech, Industrial and Product Design, NIT Rourkela, 2015

​Sambit joined the lab in Fall 2016. His research interests include cyber-physical systems, cyber-manufacturing, computational geometry, GPU-computing and visualization. He has a keen interest in playing musical instruments and loves to travel and read. 

He graduated from SCS lab in July 2020 and is currently a Graphics Software Engineer at Intel.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2021

M.S. Computer Science, Iowa State University, 2021

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2018

B.Tech Mechanical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, 2016

Homagni joined the lab in Fall 2016. His research interests include probabilistic graphical modelling, reinforcement learning, and anomaly detection. He has a burning passion for robotics and is the go-to guy for any robotics project in the lab. He has worked on design and control of agricultural robots, human computer interaction for turtlebot, and visuo-motor control in sawyer one handed robot.

He graduated from SCS lab in May 2021 and is currently working in Danfoss Power Solutions as a Computer Vision Engineer.

M.S. Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2020

B.Tech. Electronics Engineering, Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, 2018

Jaydeep joined the lab Spring 2019 under Dr. Soumik Sarkar and Dr. Adarsh Krishnamurthy. His research interests are deep learning and image processing and its applications. He is currently working on Deep Learning for Topology Optimization. Other than academics, he likes music, cooking and travelling. 

He graduated from SCS lab in December 2020 and is currently a Ph.D. student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Iowa State University under Dr. Adarsh Krishnamurthy and Dr. Anwesha Sarkar.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2021

​M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 2017

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 2015

Yasaman was a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering and joined the lab in Fall 2018. Her research interests are dynamics and controls, optimization, machine learning and deep learning. She worked on nonconvex robust optimization in deep neural networks with unknown adversaries. Her other activities include playing piano, reading and working out. 

She graduated from SCS lab in 2021 and is currently working at HRL Laboratories.

Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2021

B.Tech, Electronics and Communication Engineering, RNSIT, Bangalore, India, 2015.

Koushik was a Ph.D. student under joint supervision of Prof. Baskar Ganapathysubramanian and Prof. Soumik Sarkar. He received his undergraduate degree in 2015. After that, he worked at Nubesol Technologies, Bangalore for almost seven months. His research interests include machine Learning, deep learning, and computer vision. He worked on using deep learning for plant disease prediction.

He graduated from SCS lab in June 2021 and is currently working as a Deep Learning Scientist at Bayer Crop Science.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2021

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2019

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, 2017  

Tryambak joined Dr. Soumik Sarkar’s lab in Fall 2017.  His research interests include designing of deep learning algorithms for large-scale image/video data, multivariate time series data, and text data with applications in healthcare, agriculture, vision, and different cyber-physical systems. He is doing a concurrent Masters in Computer Science. In 2019, as a summer intern at the Machine Learning group of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), he developed deep learning fusion models for clinical prediction tasks using Electronic Health Record datasets. His other interests are story-writing, reading, drawing sketches and playing guitar.  

He graduated from SCS lab in March 2021 and is currently working at Amazon.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2022

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2016

Xian Yeow received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 2016. He pursueding his Ph.D. degree at Iowa State University and his research interests include applications of deep reinforcement learning and deep generative methods for robust and efficient design of cyper-physical systems.

He graduated in May 2022 and is currently working at Hitachi.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2022

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2017

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Kai Liang (Russell) joined Self-aware Complex Systems Lab Spring 2018. He received his undergraduate degree in Fall 2017 from Iowa State University. During his undergraduate degree, he was an intern for The Bobcat Company and Danfoss Power Solutions. His research interest includes utilizing Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning and Computer Vision to solve engineering problems, cyber-physical systems and autonomous systems. His passion for creativity also goes beyond academics, such as photography, digital arts and playing strategic video games. 

He graduated from SCS lab in August 2022 and is currently working at Intel. 

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2022​

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 1997

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 1995

Luis joined Dr. Sarkar's lab in August 2017.  His research interests are in deep learning, machine learning, visualization, Self-Driven vehicles, including cars, trucks, tractors, and others.  Before joining the lab, Luis worked mainly in Project Management and Business Development. His hobbies are racing Go-Kart, baking, Mount Biking and computers. 

He graduated from SCS lab in November 2022 and is currently working at CSIRO's Data61.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2022

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2017

Sin Yong joined the lab in Fall 2017. He was involved multiple in the Autonomous Rover project, and Robot and Cop project and acquired hands-on experience on Machine Learning applications.  

He graduated from SCS lab in December 2022 and is currently working as an AI specialist at Musco Sports Lighting, LLC.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2023

M.S. Mechanical engineering, Shiraz University, 2018

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz University, 2015

Fateme Fotouhi joined the lab in Fall 2019. Her M.S. degree was in the field of control and vibration. Her main research interests include machine learning, deep learning, biomechanics, nonlinear control, robotics, mechatronics, and optimizations. She also interests in playing piano, reading books and mountain climbing. 

She graduated from SCS lab in May 2023 and is currently a computer vision research scientist at Canon.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2023

B.S. Computer Science, Iowa State University, 2005

B.S. Mathematics, Iowa State University, 2005

Jesse joined the Self-aware Complex Systems Lab in Fall 2020. He is currently a Research Engineer at Collins Aerospace focusing on automatic target recognition and machine learning at the tactical edge.  His research interests lie at the intersection of causal inference, reinforcement learning, and deep learning.  His hobbies are playing guitar and sailing.

He graduated from SCS lab in December 2023.