Joining a faculty research project is one of the best ways to get involved in research.
You will conduct real engineering research with the guidance of your professors and help of your peers. Along the way, you will explore your interests and build the skills engineers use every day.
Start by exploring the research topics below. If one interests you, don’t hesitate to contact the faculty members involved.
Data science and big data analytics
Dr. Yuxin Wen’s research is focused on data science and big data analytics in complex systems. This research has applications in manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and traffic etc.
This research topic is a good option for Data Science students interested in:
- Developing advanced machine learning tools for real-time equipment health monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics that enable decision-making.
- Conducting change-point anomaly detection for quality and reliability improvement in the manufacturing process.
- Building robust models on severity assessment and progression prediction for diseases.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Dr. Erik Linstead’s research all areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning, with applications to software engineering, remote sensing, and developmental disorders. His work has recently focused on autism spectrum disorder and deep learning.
Dr. Linstead is also the principal investigator of the MLAT Lab at Chapman University.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Building machine learning models with multiple programming languages.
- Using GPU-enabled computing to develop computer vision algorithms and architect software solutions to find and retrieve patterns in big data quickly.
- Co-authoring papers that will be published in academic journals and contribute to the scientific literature.
Assistive and accessible tech
Dr. LouAnne Boyd’s research is focused on assistive and accessible technologies. Students working on projects in her group apply theories and techniques from human-computer interaction to support diversity and inclusion.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Conducting user studies using an iterative design process to discover inclusive user requirements.
- Developing new interaction designs for novel platforms to improve accessibility.
- Evaluating the impact of prototypes for diverse user groups.
Behavioral science and disorders
Dr. Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti’s research involves applying statistical methods (particularly Bayesian methods) and machine learning methods to behavioral data. She has worked specifically on improving inferences for a specific meta-memory task. She has also worked on research about the autism spectrum and other behavioral disorders.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Applying methods such as Bayesian parameter estimation, Item Response Theory or Unsupervised Machine Learning to problems in psychology, law, ecology or other behavioral fields.
- Taking complex methods and communicate them clearly to bridge the gap between applied statisticians and practitioners in other fields.
- Researching a specific memory task and the autism spectrum.
Climate impact
Dr. Thomas Piechota’s research investigates climate impacts on regional water resources and society using high-resolution climate data/information; forecasts water supply under changing climate conditions, drought impacts and flood impacts in urban stormwater in urban environments; and uses remote sensing data and geographic information systems for improved evaluation of hydrology and water systems.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Using large data sets to evaluate the impacts of climate on water and society.
- Using statistical analysis, programming and enhanced graphics.
- Co-authoring scientific papers and being published in journals.
Embedded system development
Dr. Emad Arasteh’s research is focused on modeling embedded computer systems. It aims to bridge the gap between hardware and software design. These efforts enable building future intelligent computer systems that are efficient, safe and reliable.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Designing system-level model of system-on-chips (SoCs).
- Developing simulation models for parallel computers.
- Exploring new hardware architectures and programming models.
Emerging topics in quantum physics and quantum optics
Dr. Nooshin M. Estakhri's research is focused on timely topics in quantum physics and quantum optics. This includes investigating new phenomena and their physical dynamics in the scattering of classical and quantum excitations from complex disordered structures, as well as proposing and testing quantum control techniques for solid-state quantum processors for quantum computing.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Working on modeling and simulation of light interaction with highly scattering media.
- Investigate nonclassical dynamics in light-matter interaction and multiple scattering.
- Designing structures that can manipulate quantum light properties.
- Conducting experiments on light-matter interaction in disordered structures.
Implanted electronics
Dr. Christopher Girard investigates the interface between the nervous system and implanted electronics. His research focuses on efficiently simulating their complex interactions. More broadly, he seeks to apply modern tools and techniques that accelerate the prototyping of electrical, mechanical and software projects.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Developing tools for efficient simulation of neural interfaces and their surroundings.
- Investigating the benefits and tradeoffs of automating complex tasks.
- Combining circuits, mechanics and code to prototype embedded systems.
Integrated circuit development
Dr. Peiyi Zhao's research is focused on developing integrated circuits to achieve low power and low energy consumption and reduce the energy consumption of data centers in the big data era. His research allows students to learn about clocking integrated circuits for use in digital processors.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Designing digital integrated circuits and Design logic circuits/architecture using CADS tools.
- Measuring the power and speed of integrated circuits.
- Investigating/examining different low-power/energy techniques.
Interactive technology for child development and vulnerable populations
Dr. Franceli L. Cibrian's research is focused on the design, development and evaluation of ubiquitous interactive technology to support child development and vulnerable populations.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Conducting user studies to design emerging technology and applications that support healthcare and education.
- Developing novel technology (e.g., voice assistants, wearables, and deformable displays) to support child development and individuals with disabilities.
- Evaluating the impact of novel devices using qualitative and quantitative methodologies and automatic data analysis.
Maker space training
Dr. Nicole Wagner aims to provide students with opportunities to perform hands-on research in the Fowler School of Engineering Design/Create/Innovate Lab. She can assist students with building a project portfolio, and with using tools in the space. Students will learn how to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data and communicate technical results.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Creating new 3D-printed structures.
- Developing new composite materials for application in 3D printing.
- Integrating different technologies to develop novel processes and parts.
Mathematical foundations of computer science
Dr. Alexander Kurz works on the mathematical foundations of computer science in general. He also works on programming languages and software engineering in particular.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Learning logic and category theory.
- Studying multi-agent systems and software verification, including Bitcoin and blockchain.
- Discovering probabilistic programming languages and model checking.
Machine learning and behavior analysis
Dr. Elizabeth Stevens’ research sits at the intersection of machine learning and behavior analysis. In particular, she has explored unsupervised techniques for modeling subtypes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how they respond to treatment intensity and duration.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Exploring how learning objectives map to specific identified subgroups.
- Researching clustering within challenging behaviors.
- Impacting treatment and effectively tailoring therapy plans to best fit the individual in hopes of obtaining the highest success rates.
Optical and photonic meta-structures
Dr. Nasim Mohammadi Estakhri's research is focused on the design of optical and photonic meta-structures that involve enhanced and function-based light-matter interaction phenomena.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Implementing machine learning algorithms to design advanced optical and photonic components and optical computational platforms.
- Developing 3D-printing-based structures for next-generation antennas and work on nanophotonic structures for radiative cooling.
- Designing planar structured materials (i.e., metasurfaces) for on-demand wave-shaping functionalities, and developing and designing new biosensors.
Optical computing and sensing applications
Dr. Mark Harrison's research is focused on developing new photonic and plasmonic devices for use in optical computing and sensing applications. These projects will allow students to learn about optics and photonics while applying computer architecture and digital logic principles to novel systems.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Developing new integrated optical device designs via high-powered simulations.
- Characterizing fabricated circuit behavior with benchtop equipment, including lasers and fiber optics.
- Conducting experiments to explore device behavior for either sensing or computing applications.
Regenerative medicine
Dr. Andrew Lyon's research focuses on developing new materials for regenerative medicine applications. These efforts then couple with collaborative research on how those new materials can be applied to wound healing and tissue regeneration.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Performing new polymer synthesis.
- Developing approaches for high-resolution microscopy of nanomaterials.
- Developing image processing algorithms to extract quantitative data from those microscopies.
Software-defined radio (SDR) technology
Dr. Maryam Etezad’s research is on leveraging software-defined radio (SDR) technology with an emphasis on portable FMCW radar to detect inattentive human behavior.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Designing and build SDR-based passive radar using provided transceivers and receivers.
- Developing software for remote sensing systems.
- Studying modern software-defined radio radar technology and its trends.
VR and computer graphics
Dr. Trudi Qi’s researches computer graphics, human-computer interaction, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). She is particularly interested in studying multidisciplinary problems with practical impact by connecting visual computing technologies with real-world human-centered endeavors. Potential application areas of her research include healthcare education and training, assistive technology, collaborative VR and computational creativity.
This research topic is a good option for students interested in:
- Building human-interactive 3D modeling and animation tools for content creation in VR/AR.
- Developing VR/AR simulation techniques for medical education and training.
- Building ML models for 3D computer graphics problems such as shape classification.
- Developing interactive VR motion data visualization and statistical analysis tools
- Utilizing AI/ML technologies to assist with human learning and training in VR/AR.