Post-doctoral Associates:
7. Tewodros L. Deneke, Ph.D., University of Helsinki, 11/2022-present
6. Nha Tran, Ph.D., Louisiana State University (2021), 5/2022 – present
5. Calvin Tsay, Ph.D., UT Austin (2020), 9/2020 – 10/2020
4. Xiaodong Xu, Ph.D., University of Alberta (2018), 9/2018 – 5/2020
3. Yuan Yuan, Ph.D., University of Alberta (2017), 6/2019 – 5/2020
2. Richard C. Pattison, Ph.D., UT Austin (2016), 10/2016 – 5/2017
1. Juan Du, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University (2013), 8/2013 – 8/2014
Graduate Students:
22. Fernando Lejarza, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Thesis: “Moving horizon optimization methods, applications and tools for learning and controlling dynamical systems,” 2023. Currently with Expedia, Austin, TX
21. Omar Santander, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Thesis: “Integrated Machine Learning Production Planning, Short-Term Production Scheduling and Advanced Process Control Frameworks for Chemical Operation,” 2022. Currently with Honeywell UOP, Des Plaines, IL
20. Morgan T. Kelley, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Ross Baldick. Thesis: “Dynamic Modeling and Optimal Scheduling of Chemical Processes Participating in Fast-Changing Electricity Markets: A Data-Driven Approach,” 2021. Currently with Dell, Austin, TX
19. Joseph G. Costandy, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. T.F. Edgar. Thesis: “Decision-Making Frameworks for Practical Industrial Applications in Optimal Process Design and Control,” 2021. Joe is now at AspenTech in Houston, TX
18. Lingqing Yan, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. T.F. Edgar. Thesis: “Dynamic process intensification to impose energy savings of the downstream separation processes,” 2021. Currently with Alibaba Cloud in Hangzhou, China.
17. Jodie M. Simkoff, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Thesis: “Data-driven methods for improved decision-making in the chemical process industries,” 2020. Currently with Nike, Portland, OR.
16. Calvin Tsay, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Thesis: “Modeling and Optimization of Process Systems for Unconventional Unit Operations and Feedstocks,” 2020. Currently Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at Imperial College, London, UK
15. Joannah I. Otashu, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Thesis: “Employing Chemical Processes as Grid-level Energy Storage Devices: demand response and frequency regulation,” 2020. Currently with Process Systems Enterprise in Houston, TX
14. Hari S. Ganesh, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Thomas F. Edgar. Thesis: “Modeling, Control, and Optimization of an Industrial Austenitization Furnace,” 2018. Hari is currently Assistant Professor at IIT Gandhinagar, India.
13. Melissa M. Donahue, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Bruce R. Eldridge. Thesis: “Controlling Trace Impurities in a Dividing Wall Distillation Column,” 2018. Melissa is currently with New England Controls, Boston, MA
12. Bailee J. Roach, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Bruce R. Eldridge. Thesis: “A Design Model for Dividing Wall Distillation Columns,” 2017. Bailee is currently at Dow Chemical, Freeport, TX.
11. Abigail D. Ondeck, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Thomas F. Edgar. Thesis: “The Economic Feasibility of Combined Heat and Power as a Utility Producer for the Residential Sector,” 2017. Currently with Microsoft Research, Seattle, WA.
10. Ray C. Wang, Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, co-advisor Dr. Ross Baldick. Thesis: “Geometric Fault Detection Using 3D Kiviat Plots and their Applications,” 2017. Currently with Instnt, Inc., New York, NY
9. Ankur Kumar (Ph.D. student, University of Texas at Austin): co-advisor (with Professor Thomas F. Edgar). Thesis topic: “Model based Operation of Industrial Steam Methane Reformers using Large Scale Sensor Data,” started September 2012, defended October 20, 2016, Currently with Linde, Tonawanda, NY
8. Krystian X. Perez (Ph.D. student, University of Texas at Austin): co-advisor (with Professor Thomas F. Edgar). Thesis topic: “Data Mining, Analysis and Prediction Mechanisms for Residential Energy Use,” started September 2012, defended October 13, 2016, Currently with Dow Chemical, Freeport, TX
7. Richard C. Pattison (Ph.D. student, University of Texas at Austin): thesis advisor. Topic: “Equation-Oriented Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Integrated and Intensified Process and Energy Systems,” started September 2011, defended September 15, 2016, Currently with Apeel, Santa Barbara, CA
6. Steven W. Sowa (Ph.D. student, University of Texas at Austin): co-advisor (with Professor Lydia Contreras). Topic: “The Role of Small RNA in the Operation and Optimization of Metabolic Networks,” started May 2012, defended September 7, 2016, Currently with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Devens, MA
5. Siyun Wang, Ph.D. advisor. Dissertation: “Addressing Uncertainty and Modeling Error in the Design and Control of Process Systems: Methods and Applications,” Defended August 4, 2016, Currently with AliBaba, Hangzhou, China
4. Conan J. Park, Ph.D. co-advisor with Professor Thomas F. Edgar. Dissertation: “Data-Driven Modeling and Optimization of Sequential Batch-Continuous Process,” Defended April 19, 2016. Conan is currently with Samyang Chemical in Daejon, Republic of Korea
3. Cara R. Touretzky, Ph.D. advisor. Dissertation: “Embedding Dynamics and Control Considerations in Operational Optimization of Process and Energy Systems,” Defended April 7, 2016. Cara is currently with Gurobi Optimization.
2. Vincent R. Heng, M.Sc., thesis advisor. Thesis: “Energy Focused Modeling and Optimization of a Radiant Tube Roller Hearth Furnace,” Defended May 2015,. Vincent is currently with Petuum, Pittsburgh, PA.
1. Ted Johansson, M.Sc. thesis advisor (co-supervised with Prof. Per Alvfors, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden). Thesis topic: “Integrated Scheduling and Control of an Air Separation Unit Subject to Time-Varying Electricity Prices,” Graduated June 2015, Ted is currently with Holmen Paper, Norrköping, Sweden
