Research and Innovation Week Program (2026)

RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK Showcasing discoveries, igniting change

Program of Events MONDAY, MARCH 23-FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026

1 | RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK 2026

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION WEEK sponsored by

NVIDIA and Mark III (NVIDIA Elite Partner) are excited to co-sponsor Research and Innovation Week 2026 at SMU. Research and Innovation are being transformed through the adoption and utilization of Al and Digital Twins to accelerate research and tackle unsolved challenges and NVIDIA and Mark Ill are at the forefront of supporting SMU’s research community through this time of incredible change and opportunity.

At the core of this transformation is SMU’s NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, which is a powerful Al supercomputer and HPC cluster designed specifically for researchers looking to employ Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Generative Al research techniques to their work at massive scale, across all research disciplines.

As only one of three operational SuperPODS at Higher Education institutions across the US, DGX SuperPOD serves as a true advantage for the SMU research community and will for years to come. This shared resource machine consists of 20 NVIDIA DGX A100 nodes, each with 8 advanced and powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate calculations and train Al models. The SMU Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute jointly manage and provide both access and support for this top of the line machine.

If you have interest in an account on the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD at SMU, please submit a request HERE.

Table of Contents SCHEDULE OF EVENTS............................................................................................................2 UNDERGRADUATE POSTER SESSION......................................................................................4 GRADUATE POSTER SESSION (SESSION 1).............................................................................8 Anthropology...............................................................................................................8 Biological Sciences.....................................................................................................8 Chemistry....................................................................................................................8 Chemistry, Theoretical and Computational..................................................................8 Earth Sciences............................................................................................................9 Economics...................................................................................................................9 Mathematics...............................................................................................................9 Psychology.................................................................................................................10 Statistic and Data Science........................................................................................10 Biostatistics..............................................................................................................10 GRADUATE POSTER SESSION (SESSION 2)...........................................................................12 Civil and Environmental Engineering............................................................... 12 & 15 Computer Science............................................................................................ 13 & 15 Education..................................................................................................................13 Electrical and Computer Engineering............................................................... 13 & 15 Mechanical Engineering............................................................................................13 Operations Research and Engineering......................................................................14 Postdoctoral Scholars................................................................................................14 Combined Group........................................................................................................15

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION WEEK

Schedule of events Research and Innovation Week is SMU’s showcase of the groundbreaking research conducted by our undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.

Members of the SMU community and the public are invited to attend.

Research and Innovation Week 2026 will take place Monday, March 23-Friday, March 27.

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FACULTY RESEARCH DAY & SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS MONDAY, MARCH 23 | 9 A.M.

Frances Anne Moody Hall The opening session will feature a plenary talk from Dr. Devanand K. Shenoy (IBM Semiconductors) on Opportunities for Microelectronics to Enable AI Capabilities for National Security and the Private Sector.

Faculty from across SMU will also present brief research spotlights highlighting innovative work in physics, engineering, and data arts, followed by open discussion with presenters.

CAYUSE HUMAN ETHICS WORKSHOP MONDAY, MARCH 23 | 2 P.M.

Moody Hall Auditorium The Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) team will host a workshop to introduce researchers to the new Cayuse Human Ethics (IRB) module. Following the workshop, RIC will host a social hour with light refreshments, where attendees can connect with the team, ask questions one-on-one, and win a few prizes.

SWIRL & VORTEX: COLLECTED POEMS BY LARRY LEVIS MONDAY MARCH 23, 2026 | 7 PM

The Sundown at Granada, 3520 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Join us for the Dallas Launch Party celebrating Swirl & Vortex: Collected Poems by Larry Levis.

Hosted by SMU English’s Project Poética, this event features readings by David St. John, Kevin Prufer, Mai Der Vang, and L.A. Johnson. All are welcome.

UNDERGRADUATE POSTER SESSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 | 4–7 P.M.

Moody Hall Atrium Poster presentations by SMU undergraduates will take place in the Moody Hall Atrium.

GRADUATE POSTER SESSIONS THURSDAY, MARCH 26 SESSION 1, Dedman College programs | 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

SESSION 2, all other programs and postdoctoral scholars | 2–5 p.m.

Moody Hall Atrium Poster presentations by SMU graduate students and postdocs will take place in Moody Hall Atrium.

TECH TRANSFER INNOVATION SERIES FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Session 1, Lab to Market: Research and the Entrepreneurial Mind | 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Session 2, Commercializing Your Discoveries | 10:45 a.m.–12 p.m.

Frances Anne Moody Hall The Technology Transfer & Commercialization team will host two 1.5 hour sessions exploring how to make a positive social impact from your research and create a start-up to generate revenue.

MFA QUALIFYING EXHIBITION: MEET THE ARTISTS FRIDAY, MARCH 27 | 2–4 P.M.

Pollock Gallery, East Campus The Division of Art’s interdisciplinary program presents the 2026 MFA Qualifying Exhibition, Ecology: Where Connections Form, featuring exhibiting artists Alicia Parham, Karina Ramirez, and Jillian Whitney.

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM | 3

UNDERGRADUATE POSTER SESSION Wednesday, March 25 | 4-7 p.m.

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Megan Watson, “Beyond the Campaign: A MixedMethods Framework for Evaluating CSR Authenticity” Faculty mentor: Owen Lynch

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Daniel Yankovsky, “Language in the Landscape: AI Analysis of Campus Text” Faculty mentor: Eric Godat

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Madison Cooper, “The Bilingual Brain: Examining the Cognitive Effects of Bilingualism on Children’s Early Language Learning” Faculty mentors: Sarah Kucker, Alberto Pastor

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Cricket Tatone, “AI^2 : Artificial Intelligence applications for Analyzing Injustice in infrastructure development” Co-author(s): Janille Smith-Colin, Collin Yarbrough, Garhett Daves, Faculty mentor: Janille SmithColin

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Adelaide Robison, “Music and Language: Exploring How and Why Music Exposure Impacts Language Development” Faculty Mentor: Sarah Kucker

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Clara Chavez, “Understanding the Barriers and Facilitators Behind the Re-Implementation of Pediatric Early Warning Systems Across Latin America” Co-author(s): Alejandra Catalina Quesada-Stoner, Amela Sijecic, M.P.H., Kelly Pimenta, M.P.H., Sara Malone, Ph.D., Adolfo Cardenas-Aguirre, M.D., Miguel Aguilar Barragón, Dylan Graetz, M.D., Ph.D., Samantha Hayes, M.P.H., Douglas A. Luke, Ph.D., Virginia McKay, Ph.D., and Asya Agulnik, Ph.D., M.P.H., Faculty mentor: Asya Agulnik & Alejandra Quesada-Stoner Lester Madison, “Characterizing Desiccation Response Proteins in C. elegans” Co-author(s): Zhirong Wang, Bailey A. Brown, Jonathan D. Hibshman, Faculty mentor: Jonathan Hibshman Wu Shuhan, “The Shape of Malignancy: Deep Learning for Lung Nodule Classification” Faculty mentor: Chul Moon Trinity Gabreylski, “The Therapy and Medicalization of Native-Hispanic Healing Practices” Co-author(s): Jill DeTemple, Faculty mentor: Jill DeTemple

10 Tenealle Sloan, “Synchronization in Sparse Geometric Random Networks” Co-author(s): Dr. Alejandro Aceves, Faculty mentor: Alejandro Aceves 11

12 Delainey Hinson, “Investigating local tardigrade species diversity” Faculty mentor: Jonathan D. Hibshman

Thu Dang, “Turning Back the Clock: The Role of Clbn in Tissue Aging of Drosophila” Co-author(s): Thu Dang, Adaeze Gbufor, Olivia Brenner, Mina Zhang, Zhihao Wu, Faculty mentor: Zhihao Wu

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Cecilia Tipping, “Galaxy Formation at the Speed of Learning” Faculty mentor: Patrick Breysse Surabhi Soni, “Severity-dependent proteomic alterations in the rat hippocampus following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus” Faculty mentor: Amy Brewster Eyo Asfaw, “Evaluating LSTM Performance in Sentiment Classification of Mental Health Discourse on Reddit: A Deep Learning Alternative to Transformers” Faculty mentor: Nurcan Yuruk Kyra Waterman, “Genomic and Functional Diversity of Bifidobacteria in the Gut: Its implications for Ecology and Human Health” Faculty mentor: Ammara Khalid Shriya Siddhartha, “Shut Down and Shut Out: An Oral History of the Littlestown MasterBrand Cabinets Plant Closure” Faculty mentors: Kelly McKowen and Kathy Cooper Saif Shah, “The Finals Effect: Chronic Stress, Sleep Quality, and Emotional Distress in Undergraduate Students” Co-author(s): Windsor Hall (MA), Faculty mentor: Thomas Ritz Kylie Gladden, “Do SMU Oak Trees Make Better Community Shade?” Co-author(s): Maggie Costilla, Faculty mentor: Jessie Zarazaga

20 Joy Adeyemo, “Bridging Greco-Roman Medicine and Modern Immunology to Address Acid Reflux and Gastritis” Faculty mentors: Crystal Rosenthal and Edward Glasscock 21

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Kendall Schumacher, “Contrasting the Marketing Strategies of Classical Chinese Dance: Navigating Artistic and Cultural Promotion in the U.S. and China” Faculty mentor: Silas Farley Gurleen Mann, “AI Powered Drug Discovery with VASR- Fold to Function: Design of Mini-Protein Phosphatases for Alzheimer’s Disease” Co-author(s): Alexa Lipsky, Shriya Siddhartha, and Peng Tao, Faculty mentor: Peng Tao

23 Alexa Lipsky, “AI Powered Drug Discovery with VASR. Fold to Fragment: Design of Peptide Microphosphatases for Alzheimer’s Disease” Coauthor(s): Gurleen Mann, Shriya Siddhartha, Dr. Peng Tao, Faculty mentor: Peng Tao 24 Shriya Siddhartha, “Fold to Framework: Design of Di/ Tripeptide Assemblies for Alzheimer’s Disease” Coauthor(s): Alexa Lipsky, Gurleen Mann, Chuanye Xiong, Faculty mentor: Peng Tao 25

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Jacob Brazzle, “Sex-specific alterations in weight recovery and behavioral responses during epileptogenesis in rats” Faculty mentor: Amy Brewster Journee Jones, “Optimal Outcomes and Naturalistic Observation in Traditional vs. Non-traditional Classrooms of First-Graders” Faculty mentor: Sarah Kucker

27 Cameron Tofani, “Biological Pathway Completion Using Transformer Models” Faculty mentor(s): Michael Hahsler, Maya El Dayeh 28 Andy Su, “Synthesis of Dynamic Polymers with Covalently Integrated Hypervalent Bismuth (V) Functionalities” Co-author(s): Leo Garcia, Faculty mentor: Nick Tsarevsky

29 Kushal Gowda, “Winning with Data: AI-Enabled Playoff Analytics” Co-author(s): Christian Reyes, Faculty mentor: Eli Olinick 30

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Lili Honey, “The Global Soybean Trade and Agribusiness Expansion in the Amazon” Faculty mentor: Matt Abel Shreya Algole, “Developing a Nanopore Sequencing Protocol Across Diverse Organisms with Versatile Applications” Co-author(s): Grace Crowe, Grace Pansegrau, Faculty mentor: Rachel Wright

32 Ainsley Johnson, “Genome Instability and Tumor Suppression: SMC5/6 Regulation of p53 Activity in the Drosophila Germline” Co-author(s): Dr. Rebekah NapierJameson and Dr. Ting Cai, Faculty mentor: Annika Wylie 33 Anna Foweather, “Classroom Learning, Autonomy, and Structural Spacing” Faculty mentor: Sarah Kucker 34 Hannah Choi, “Present or Absent: How Attendance affects SCALE Post-Scores” Co-author(s): Joanne Joo, Faculty mentor: Leanne Ketterlin-Geller 35 Krish Pudu, “Synthesis and Reactivity of FormazanateStabilized Dinitrosyl Cobalt Complexes for N2O Generation” Co-author(s): Esther Mosebolatan, Pokhraj Ghosh, Faculty mentor: Pokhraj Ghosh

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM | 5

36 Genesis Dominguez, “Homelands of Apartheid: The Lasting Scars on Black South Africans” Faculty mentor: Jill Kelly

44 Kristian Perez, “How Can a Raspberry Pi Kickstart the Creation of a Weather Station in Tanzania?” Faculty mentor: Jessie Zarazaga

Gloria Hu, “The Shape of Survival: Predictive Modeling with Tumor Imaging Topology” Faculty mentor: Chul Moon

45 Nomvuyo Makhathini, “From Technology to Health: How Participatory Design Transformed Sanitation Priorities in Kasisa Village, Tanzania” Faculty mentor: Jessie Zarazaga

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Svetlana Thoppay, “Reversing Chemotherapy Resistance in Cancer Cells” Faculty mentor: Pia Vogel Isabella Thrailkill, “Base-Independent Photocycle Recovery in the Short LOV Protein McLOVn” Coauthor(s): Hunter Robinson, Faculty mentor: Brian Zoltowski

40 Camille Nguyen, “Impacts of PFAS on Cardiovascular Disease” Faculty mentor: Elizabeth Berk 41 Kevin Sumpon, “Assessing Methane Emissions and Energy Recovery Potential in Underground Coal Mining” Co-author(s): Sergio Andres Escudero Restrepo, Faculty mentor: Kathleen Smits, Jessie Zarazaga 42 Rachel Zuercher, “Developing a sustainable and reproducible water filtration system in northwestern Tanzania” Faculty mentor: Jessie Zarazaga 43 Palmer Hurd, “Domestic Water Filtration in Rural Tanzania” Co-author(s): Rachel Zuercher, Faculty mentor: Jessie Zarazaga

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46 Nomvuyo Makhathini, “Narrating Girlhood: Intergenerational Perspectives on Teenage Pregnancy in Rural South Africa” Faculty mentor: Elizabeth Berk 47

Benjamin McBride, “SansEC Resonant Sensors for Wellbore Integrity Monitoring” Co-author(s): Thomas Couvillion, Faculty mentor: Saeed Salehi

48 Snehil Patel, “Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Using Transition Metal Catalysts for a Sustainable Future”, Coauthor(s): Anagha Kuruvayil, Faculty mentor: Pokraj Ghosh 49 Noelle Carpenter, “Language development is “child’s play”: The importance of dyadic and symbolic play” Faculty mentor: Sarah Kucker 50 Katelyn Tran, “Respiratory Dysfunction in Mice Carrying a Patient-Derived Episodic Ataxia Mutation in the Kcna1 Gene” Co-author(s): Michele Wright, Edward Glasscock, Faculty mentor: Edward Glasscock 51

Tanya Harathi, “Historical Analysis: Character at SMU” Faculty mentor: Rita Kirk

59 Leif Bouwman, “Experimental Study of Thermoelastic Properties of Metals” Faculty mentor: Wei Tong

52 Vanesa Flores, “The language of parts and wholes: The influence of an intervention on English language learner students’ fraction knowledge” Co-author(s): Terhi Vessonen, Faculty mentor: Leanne Ketterlin Geller

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Anika Saiprabhu, “The Selective One-to-One Pickup and Delivery Problem” Co-author(s): Sreshta Ghosh, Grace Gao, Faculty mentor: Eli Olinick

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54 Rachel Rodgers, “Halloween Blood Drive Campaign for Carter BloodCare” Co-author(s): Lilly James, Faculty mentor: Mark Allen 55

Nha-Y Duong, “SMU Guildhall - Meadows Music Composition Recording Sessions Year 3” Faculty mentor: Robert Frank

56 Faucy Lucart, “Conversational AI for Home-Based ADRD Support: Development of a Messaging Chatbot” Faculty mentor: Luo Xiao 57 Zehra Jaffery, “Identifying Predictive Biomarkers of Antibody-Drugs Conjugated (ADCs)” Co-author(s): Shawn (Shao-Po) Huang, Faculty mentor: Isaac Chan 58

Brenna Davidson, “Relation Between Frontal Lobe Abilities and Directed Forgetting Performance in Older Adults” Co-author(s): Sarah Cline, Holly J. Bowen, Faculty mentor: Holly J. Bowen

Smriti Ramakrishnan, “How Are Galaxies Distributed in Our Universe? A Correlation Function Approach” Faculty mentor: Heidi Wu Roberto Diaz, “Religious service attendance, caregiver emotional support, and trauma symptoms among female adolescents who have been sexually abused” Co-author(s): Rachel Y. Chan, Madeline Reedy, Maggie McNally Kimball & Ernest N. Jouriles, Faculty mentor: Ernest Jouriles

62 Ashiyana Dahiya, “Analysis of Pituitary-Regulated Hormones in the Serum of Healthy Individuals and in Epilepsy Patients” Co-author(s): Nicole Pinzón-Hoyos, Eva Oberdorster, Amy L. Brewster, Faculty mentor: Amy Brewster 63

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Caleb Garcia, “Demographics and Social Media: An Examination of SMU Students” Faculty mentor: Matthew Wilson Alina Munoz, “Cognition, Chronic Disease, and the Cost of Inequity: Neuroinflammatory Links in Older Hispanic Adults with Diabetes and Asthma” Faculty mentor: Thomas Ritz

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM | 7

GRADUATE POSTER SESSION SESSION 1 Thursday, March 26 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

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ANTHROPOLOGY

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Curtis Reagan Johnson, “Sourcing Fluted Bifaces from Northeastern Ohio”, Co-author(s): Metin I. Eren; Col. Matthew W. Nahorn; Brian Redmond

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Halle Tarvin, “Becoming Criminals: “Chronic” for Chronic Conditions and the Texas Hemp Ban”

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MD Shakhawat Hossain, “From Compensation to Kinship: How Politically Wounded Individuals Rebuild Life after Revolution”

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 4

Zahra Sadri, “Microglial TREM2 Mediates Sex-Specific Immune Responses During Status Epilepticus ”, Co-author(s): Yibo Li; Surabhi Soni; Ashiyana Dahiya; Amy L. Brewster

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Nicole Pinzon-Hoyos, “Sex-Specific Neuroimmune and Behavioral Responses During Epileptogenesis in Rats ”, Co-author(s): Yibo Li; Kristin Boccardi; Amy L. Brewster

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Ayesha Alkofahi, “Kv1.1 Deficiency Causes Thermoregulatory Dysregulation and Susceptibility to Temperature-Induced Convulsions in Mice”, Co-author(s): Fallon Wenck; Indumathy Jagadeeswaran; Praveen Kumar; Kelsey Paulhus-Halvorson; Edward Glasscockr

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Michele Wright, “Seizure and Cardiorespiratory Phenotypes in a Patient-Derived Kcna1 Point Mutation Mouse Model of Ataxia”, Co-author(s): Katelyn Tran; Edward Glasscock

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Julia Savage, “The Generation of Intercellular Tunneling Nanotubules by the E6*I Splice Variant of High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses”, Co-author(s): Isabelle Myers

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Kieran Williams, “The Role of Small Heat Shock Proteins in Desiccation Survival in C. Elegans”

10 Anna Lewis, “Understanding the Reproductive Consequences of Extreme Stress”, Co-author(s): Jonathan Hibshman 11

Alison Kellom, “Reversing Chemotherapy Resistance in Aggressive Forms of Cancer”

12 Arlene Hernandez, “Assessing Molecular Mechanisms of P-glycoprotein Inhibition Using Biochemical and Structural Approaches”

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Adaeze Gbufor, “Possible Impact of Nanoplastics on the Drosophila Batten Disease Models”, Co-author(s): Chao Wang; Thu Dang; Mina Zhang; Zhihao Wu Justin Wright, “Investigating Inflammatory Responses and Developmental Consequences in p53 Deficient Animals” Chelsea Barnes, “Reframing p53: Genetic Dissection of Isoform-Specific Transcriptional Repression”

CHEMISTRY 16 Ayomide Benjamen Oladele, “ROS-Responsive Ligand Switching in Au-Cu Nanoclusters: A Molecular Toggle Linking Electronic Modulation, Redox Reactivity, and Tumor-Relevant Chemical Environments” 17

Esther Mosebolatan, “Redox-Dependent HNO Generation from Formazanate-Supported Dinitrosyl Iron Complexes”, Co-author(s): Krish Pudu: Anagha Kuruvayil

18 Ayoola Ayodele, “Nickel-Mediated Activation of Nitrite and Nitrate by Sulfur Reductants: Insights into Sulfur– Nitrogen Redox Chemistry”, Co-author(s): Saikat Mishra 19

Esther Olatunji, “Persulfide-Mediated Nitrate Reduction at a Zinc(II) Site: Toward Nitric Oxide Formation”, Co-author(s): Saikat Mishra

20 Nathan Taton, “A Titan Study: Benzene Acetonitrile 3:1 Co-Crystal with Micro-Raman and Neutron Spectroscopy”, Co-author(s): Morgan Kramer; Kaleb Mallon; Ljupcho Pejov; William Stoll; Michael Ruggiero; Yongqiang Cheng; Luke Daemen; Anibal Ramirez-Cuesta; Craig Brown; Tomce Runcevski 21 22

Caleb Griffin, “A Chemiluminescent 1,2-Dioxetane Probe for In Vivo Imaging of HOCl.” Lida Aeindartehran, “Formulation and Characterization of Salts, Cocrystals and Polymorphs of Antiparasitic and Antiepileptic Drugs”, Co-author(s): Kwan, Luke ; K. Unruh, Daniel ; Runčevski, Tomče

CHEMISTRY, THEORETICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL 23 Sophia Trejo, “Assessing the Stability of Metal-Organic Frameworks with Local Vibrational Mode Theory”, Co-author(s): Juliana J. Antonio; Elfi Kraka; Haoyuan Chen

24 Alitza Gracia, “Quantifying the Strength of Acid/Base Functional Groups in Metal-Organic Frameworks”, Co-author(s): Sophia Trejo 25 Lauryn Guzman, “Computational Study of Zr-MOF808-Catalyzed Oxidation of Methyl Phenyl Sulfoxide”, Co-author(s): Lauryn Guzman; Hafsa Ghuffar; Hyunho Noh; Haoyuan Chen 26

Meng Du, “A Transferable Force Field for Simulating Adsorption in Metal-Organic Frameworks with Open Metal Sites Based on the 12-6-4 Lennard-Jones Potential”

27 Kevin Fleming, “Vibrational Carbon Character Analysis of Astronomical PAHs”, Co-author(s): Vincent J. Esposito; Ryan C. Fortenberry; Mateus Quintano; Elfi Kraka

ECONOMICS 37 Ivan de las Heras, “Guns and Cattle: The Effect of Agricultural Economic Shocks on Crime” 38

Baekhyeon Kim, “Optimal Unemployment Insurance in South Korea: A Baily-Chetty Approach”

39 Ishan Azad, “Market Transparency with Endogenous Information Acquisition” 40

Iman Malekshahi, “The Heterogenous Effects of Trade Liberalization: Patterns and Mechanisms”

MATHEMATICS 41

28 Juliana Antonio, “Understanding Iodine Capture in MOF-74 Materials for Nuclear Waste Management”

Emmanuel Nworie, “Diffusion-Limited Growth of an Array of Lipid Droplets attached to an Endoplasmic Reticulum” Md Nayan Dhali, “Inertial Effects in Local Evaporationinduced Fluid Flow near a Pinned Contact Line”

29 Lilyan Cunha Alves Pontes, “Lanthanide (Ln) Compounds Applied in Quantum Information Science: A Local Vibrational Mode Theory Study”, Co-author(s): Bárbara Peluzo

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30 Paige Maple, “Mechanistic Insights into the Formation of Three Key Nitrile Isomers in the ISM: An URVA Study”

44 Andrew Ho, “Weak Adversarial Neural Pushforward Mapping for Transport Equations”

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Dhanuddhara Gamage, “Linking Quantum‑Chemical Descriptors to μ‑Opioid Receptor IC50 Values”, Co-author(s): Ayesh Madushanka

32 Duc Anh Lai, “Local Continuous Symmetry and Chirality from Electronic Structure Theory”

43 Mustafizur Rahman, “Modeling Water and Virus Transport in Airway Mucus”

45 Md Abu Talha, “Temporal and Spatial Studies of Infectious Diseases: Mathematical Models and Numerical Solvers”, Co-author(s): Yongjia Xu 46

Steve Li, “Computing Hamiltonian Bound States with Standard Eigen-solve”

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Mason McCallum, “Interfacial Radiation Boundary Conditions for Topologically Protected Edge Modes”

EARTH SCIENCES 33

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Ketan Singha Roy, “Spatiotemporal Variations in Infrasound Propagation Through the Urban Boundary Layer”, Co-author(s): Jesse Howard; Brian Stump; Chris Hayward; and Junghyun Park Prajwal Neupane, “Mapping New Subsurface Faults in the Butte Valley, Northern California”, Co-author(s): Maria Beatrice Magnani; Anastasia Fedotova, Angelo Villalobos, Deniz Aggul

35 Yeshey Seldon, “Machine Learning Phase Picking and Association Reveals a More Complete Induced Earthquake Catalog for the Fort Worth Basin, TX” 36

48 Jaryd Domine, “EDG-GR: An Energy-based Discontinuous Galerkin Method for General Relativity”, Co-author(s): Thomas Hagstrom; Stephen Lau 49 Sadeepa Pathane Dewalage, “Symmetric Integral Formulation for the Poisson Boltzmann Equation” 50

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Reza Sadeghi Hafshejani, “Learning Based Control of Continuous-Time Systems”, Co-author(s): Mohamad Kazem Shirani Faradonbeh Anarzhan Abilgazy, “Adaptive Data-Driven ReducedOrder Models for Inverse Scattering Problems in Lossless and Lossy Media”

Melodie Malithong, “Hydrologic Impacts of Urbanization on Streamflow Dynamics in Dallas, Texas Watersheds”, Co-author(s): Xiao Yang

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM | 9

PSYCHOLOGY 52 Iris Yang, “Cognitive Outcomes of Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Review of the Literature” 53

Julie Pham, “Age-Related Stereotype Threat and Its Impact on Working Memory in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature”

Sarah Cline, “The Bright Side of Memory: Frontal Lobe 54 Functioning Moderates the Link Between Positivity Bias and Emotional Well-Being in Older Adults”, Co-author(s): S. J. Wilson; H. J. Bowen 55 Hyung Seo (Caroline) Lee, “Measuring the Impact of Affect Dynamics on the Dependability of Maladaptive Personality Traits Across Domain and Facet Levels of the PID-5” 56

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Bram Richmond, “Beyond the Big Five: Pathological Traits and Well-Being”, Co-author(s): Bram Richmond; Nathan Hudson; Michael Chmielewski; David Rosenfield

59 Syakira Wijaya, “Parent Characteristics or Mediaregulation Decisions? Predicting Toddlers’ Screen Time and Language”, Co-author(s): Sarah Kucker 60 Claire Anderson, “Selective Anticipatory Affective Reactivity to Psychosocial Stress in Non-suicidal Selfinjury”, Co-author(s): Claire Anderson; Doga Cetinkaya; Meara Weitzman; Ashton Steele; Noelle Bassi Smith; Alicia E. Meuret

Doga Cetinkaya, “The Role of Perceived Pain Intensity in Affect Regulation in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury”, Co-author(s): Doga Cetinkaya; Meara Weitzman; Ashton Steele; Noelle Bassi Smith; Alicia Meuret

62 Windsor Hall, “Underestimation of Cognitive Abilities in Adults with Asthma: Comparing Perceived Cognition with Cognitive Performance on Neuropsychological Tests”, Co-author(s): Mikaela Lopez; Margot L. Salsman; David A. Khan; Denise C. Park; E. Sherwood Brown; Thomas Ritz 63

STATISTICS AND DATA SCIENCE 65 Anne Hulme, “Kernel-Based Recommender System for Wine and Cheese Pairings” 66 Nastaran Ghorbani, “AMIC for Transformers: Maintaining Interpretability in Modern Sentiment Classification”, Co-author(s): Chenyu Yang; Jing Cao; Eric C. Larson 67 Martin Salgado-Flores, “Relational Persistent Homology of the Tumor Microenvironment for Survival Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma” 68 Leon King, “Bayesian Bernstein Neural Network Time Series Model”

Rachel Chan, “Abuse-Specific Self-Blame among Adolescents who have been Sexually Abused”, Co-author(s): Ernest N. Jouriles

Sneh Jhaveri, “Learning Novel Words from Storybooks: 58 Does Modality Matter?”, Co-author(s): Sneh Jhaveri; Syakira Wijaya; Sarah Kucker

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64 Sofia Uribe, “Examining Delivery Format Differences in Treatment for Low Positive Affect, Depression, and Anxiety ”, Co-author(s): Divya Kumar; David Rosenfield; Thomas Ritz; Alicia E. Meuret

Mikaela Lopez, “Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Association with Amyloid-ß and Tau Burden in Older Adults Through PET and CSF Modalities”, Co-author(s): Windsor Hall: Natalie Poleszak

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BIOSTATISTICS 69

Callum Doyle, “Statistical Approach to Handling Carryover Contamination and Left-censoring in Crossover Trials”, Co-author(s): Sy Han Chiou; MinJae Lee

70 Ellen Taylor, “Using Honest Random Forest Models to Assess the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions after Traumatic Brain Injury and Identify Subgroup Heterogeneity”, Co-author(s): Shanti M. Pinto; Bhaskar Thakur; C. Munro Cullum; Kristin Wilmoth 71

Nathaniel Murray, “Predicting Response to Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients”, Co-author(s): Scott Christley; Alana Christie; Hua Zhong; Bingqing Xie; Daniel F. Heitjan; James Brugarolas; Payal Kapur; Lindsay G. Cowell

72 Chun-Yuan Huang, “What Determines Statistical Power in Ratio-Trait Genetic Association Studies? Effects of Scale, Heritability, and Genetic Correlation” 73

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Wen Fan, “BaLLM: A Knowledge Graph–Enhanced Bayesian Model for Explainable Antibiotic Resistance Prediction” Art Taychameekiatchai, “GPSNorm: Gaussian Process Spatial Normalization for Spatial Transcriptomics Data”, Co-author(s): Peifeng Ruan; Xiaowei Zhan; Guanghua Xiao

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM | 11

GRADUATE POSTER SESSION SESSION 2 Thursday, March 26 | 2-5 p.m.

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 1

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Muhammad Younas, “A Context-Aware AI Framework for Integrated Real-Time Intersection Detection and Signal Optimization” Rawda Ahmed, “Federated Link–Time Reservation for Urban Air Mobility Corridors: Capacity Bounds, Congestion Dynamics, and Fair Scheduling” Ahmed El Saei, “Physics-Informed Digital Twin Framework for Intelligent Railway Ballast Maintenance” Arlo Kadane, “Community and Non-Profit Green Space Co-Design: Comparing Two Dallas Non-Profit’s Engagement Strategies to Improve Outcomes” Ehsan Poorvahedi, “Measuring and Mapping Infrastructure Deserts in Dallas, Texas: A Longitudinal Comparison of Neighborhood Deficiency in 2018 and 2023”, Co-author(s): Syed Omar Ali; Harley Gribble; Janille Smith-Colin; Barbara Minsker Joelle Uribe, “Enabling Validation of Belowground Natural Gas Leak Quantification Using Controlled Release Experiments”, Co-author(s): G. Venkata Rao; Jui Hsiang Lo Trevor Webber, “Investigating the Impacts of Weather Changes on Natural Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Through Random Forest Modeling”, Co-author(s): Venkata Rao Gundapaneni Linda Jaramillo Urrego, “From Quantification to Implementation in ASGM: Data-Driven Hg:Au Input Factors for Mercury Emissions Estimates and Strategy Evaluation”, Co-author(s): Trevor Webber; Kathleen Smits Isuru Mahesh Bandara Ambagahawele Rathnayake Mudiyanselage, “Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis of Bar-hole Methane Concentration Responses for Improved Natural Gas Leak Pinpointing”, Co-author(s): Kathleen Smits ; Navodi Jayarathne Tanner Williams, “Lift, Drag, and Material Agency: Translating Dance Interruptions into Rammed Earth Probes”

COMPUTER SCIENCE 11

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Timothy Lee, “On the Runway Cascade of Transformers for Language Modeling” Nikkie Hooman, “Multimodal Routing for Interpretable, Robust, and Auditable Clinical Prediction”, Coauthor(s): Zhongjie Wu; Eric C. Larson; Mehak Gupta Michael Watts, “UAV Localization Utilizing Reinforcement Learning”, Co-author(s): Chris Peters

14 Mohsen Ensafdaran, “Designing an AI-Powered Assistant for Neighborhood Infrastructure Planning: Insights from a Participatory Workshop”, Co-author(s): Barbara Minsker; Prof. Eric Larson; Prof. Smith-Colin 15

Joshua Sylvester, “Detecting Predictive Dependencies in Random Bitstreams”, Co-author(s): Micah A. Thornton; Eric C. Larson; Mitchell A. Thornton

16 Matthew Lee, “A Comparative Evaluation of Maritime Vessel Classification Methods Using AIS Data”, Co-author(s): William Flinchbaugh; Eric C. Larson; Mitchell A. Thornton 17

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Minjie Geng, “Leveraging Retrieval-Augmented Generation to Deliver Personalized Support for ADRD Patients and Caregivers”, Co-author(s): Bin Huang; Katherine Britt; Rebecca Brown; Xiao Luo Mahindra Guptha Kotha, “Multi-LLM Consensus: Leveraging Multiple Large Language Models as Judges for Decision-Making” Rasiq Hussain, “Fine-Tuned Multi-Agent Framework for Detecting Personality”, Co-author(s): Darshil Italiya

20 Jingwei Zhang, “Friend or Foe: Enabling Remote Acoustic Sensing Through Media Calls for Deepfake Participant Detecting” 21 Zeyu Deng, “Your Eyes Won’t Lie: Snooping Online Voting Privacy from User Webcam”, Co-author(s): Jingwei Zhang; Chen Wang 22

Sihang Wang, “Detecting AI-Generated Humans by How they Walk: A Behavioral Analysis Solution”

23 Wen Liu, “Detecting AI-forged Human Videos via Biomechanical Consistency in 3D Facial Dynamics” 24

12 | RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK 2026

Priyen Parekh, “L3CV: A Framework for Legal Contextual Citation Checking and Verification”, Co-author(s): Xio Xihao ; Jia Zhang

EDUCATION 25 Michele Wiedemer, “The Appearance of Understanding in Human-like Dialog in LLMs”, Co-author(s): Molly Novelli 26

Huiyeon (Edward) Kim, “Wrapped to Win: The Role of Presentation in Emotional Attachment Among Season Ticket Holders”

27 Isabella Diaz, “Positives, Negatives, and Opportunities of Community-engaged Teaching, Learning and Research at a Newly Minted R1 Institution”, Co-author(s): Dustin Grabsch; Daivik Chawala; Maddie Wiltse

37 Yazan Yassin, “Safe and Fast Charging of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Extreme Cold Conditions” 38 Mohammad Qasem, “Real-time AI-enabled Digital Twin Framework for Age-Aware Fast Charging of Lithium-Ion Batteries” 39 Mariana Haddadin, “Physics-Guided Neural Networks for Real-Time Power Limits in eVTOL Batteries” 40 Yayu Mo, “Quantum Image Processing Toward the Quantum Internet​”, Co-author(s): Sanjeev Shapkota; Sanjaya Lohani 41

28 Kathleen Roberts, “Diagnostic Analysis of Middle School Students’ Math Errors and Misconceptions in Concepts and Applications Content”, Co-author(s): Kayla Gervais; Erica Lembke

Sanjeev Shapkota, “Artificial Intelligence Driven Quantum Control”, Co-author(s): Yayu Mo; Sanjaya Lohani

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Ammar Yacoub, “Developing a Haptic-Enabled Virtual Palpation System for 3D Elastography Medical Imaging”, Co-author(s): Edmond Richer

29 Efrain Solis, “How Do Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Make Meaning of the Resident Application Review Process and Their own Biases and Motivations Within It?”

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30 Monique Christian-Long, “Curating Black Knowledge in Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study”

43 Behzad Parvaresh, “Integrating Wide and Deep Neural Networks with Squeeze-and-Excitation Blocks for Multi-Target Property Prediction in Additively Manufactured Fiber Reinforced Composites”, Co-author(s): Rahmat K. Adesunkanmi

31

Cheng Yueh Jao, “Evaluating AI-generated Mathematics Visuals to Inform Future System Design from College Instructors’ Perspectives”

Jennifer Sayed, “Data Literacy as an Essential 32 Component of Constructive Civic Engagement”, Co-author(s): Nick Okafor 33

Jonathan Isaac, “Modeling The Usefulness of Mathematics In STEM and Non-STEM Workplaces With SEM Techniques On The O*NET Database”, Co-author(s): Candace Walkington

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Sevda Zafarmandi Ardabili, “Python-based Analyzer 34 for Presurgical CCEP Mapping in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy”, Co-author(s): Tyrell Pruitt; Clyde Knox; Carlos E Davila; Bradley Lega 35 Mina Aghamohammadi, “Transverse Magnetic Coupling Coefficients: Possibilities of Disappearing Gratings”, Co-author(s): Tso-Min Chou; Nikhil Polley; Weida Zhang; Emmanuel Aloyine; Mina Aghamohammadi; Ify Achu; Jerome K. Butler; NaiHsiang Sun; Gary A. Evans 36 Emmanuel Aloyine, “Goos Hanchen Effect And Modal Gain In Optical Waveguides”, Tso-Min Chou; Emmanuel Aloyine; Mina Aghamohammadi; Martina Perkovic; Brighton Graf; Paul Frensley; Jiachen Li; Jerome K. Butler; Gary A. Evans

44 Masoud Deylami, “Kolmogorov-Arnold NetworksBased Tolerance-Aware Manufacturability Assessment Integrating Design-for-Manufacturing Principles”, Co-author(s): Negar Izadipour 45 Michael Guerrero, “Pool Boiling Enhancement via Hierarchical In-Plane Dendritic Nanostructures and Micro-Scale Surface Patterning”, Co-author(s): Merve Baykal; Farzad Talabazar; Mustafa Ozsipahi; Adam Wilson; Michael Fish; Ashish Gandhi; J. C. Chiao; Ali Beskok 46

Kamruzzaman Joty, “Toward Smart Nanopores: Machine Learning Enabled Biosensing with Multilayer Solid-State Nanopores for Molecular Diagnostics”, Co-author(s): Chaoming Gu; Navod Thyashan; Ivan Vlassiouk; Liam Collins; Xingye Zhang; Christopher Nelson; Nathan Taton; Sangyoup Lee; Min Jun Kim

47 Muhammad Muhammad, “Magnetically Actuated Milli-Scale Voxel Robot for Navigation in Tubular and Anatomical Environments”, Co-author(s): Sangwon Lee; Lasheen Gurusinghe; Zhengguang Wang; Aaron T. Becker; Min Jun Kim 48

Ye Tian, “Electrolyte Additive Engineering Strategy for Uniform Zinc Deposition”

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49 Yusuf Kundakci, “A Feasibility Perspective on Using Geothermal Systems and Repurposed Oil & Gas Wells for Data Center Cooling” 50

51

Saeed Siahchehrehghadikolaei, “Stabilizing Lithium– Oxygen Batteries Through Enhanced Oxygen Redox Kinetics”, Co-author(s): S.S. Ghadikolaei; Ilias Papailias; Amin Salehi-Khojin Ibrahim Awad, “Finite Element Simulations of Hybrid Laser-Arc Welding of Automotive Aluminum Alloys”

52 Sofía Castaño Busón, “Cyclic Tension–Compression Testing of Cylindrical Bars: Influence of Geometry on Mechanical Response” 53 Zicheng Feng, “Interfacial Chemistry and Electrolyte Design in Na-Ion and Li Metal Batteries”

OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEEERING 54

Hassan Nojavan, “Weighted Data Valuation for Statistical Learning via Nonconvex Programming Methods”, Co-author(s): Chul Moon

55 Jorge Sugranes, “Design, Integration, and Performance Characterization of a Miniaturized Desktop Smart Pharmaceutical Factory (MSPF) Platform: A Smallcale, Multimodal, Data-driven Prototype for Smart Manufacturing, Experimentation, and Decisionmaking Applications” 56 Vala Rahmati, “Integrated Evacuation and Relief Supply Network Design for Foreseen Disasters” 57

Leyla Tavassoli, “How Return Convenience and Inspection Effort Shape Profit and Sustainability in Reverse Logistics”

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS 58 Inam Khan, “Energy, Transportation, and Environment: A Graph Learning Framework for Innovation Ecosystems” 59

Muthukumar Devarasu, “Computational Stability Mapping of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs): Energetics, Mechanics, & Vibrations”

60 Thomas Kasel, “Towards Robust Modeling of Electronic and Optical Properties of Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks: Effects of Model Dimensionality”, Co-author(s): Michael Harb: Haoyuan Chen 61

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Janakiraman Udaiyappan, “Alteration of Myelin and Axon-associated Proteins in the Cortex and Hippocampus of Juvenile Kcna1-null Epileptic Mice” Gozde Sirganci, “Enhancing Data Science Learning Outcomes Through AI-Augmented SpecificationDriven Assessment Item Generation and Synthetic Calibration”, Co-author(s): Akihito Kamata; Eric Larson; Kuo Wang

63 Venkata Rao Gundapuneni, “Advanced Leak Detection Methods for Belowground Natural Gas Pipeline Leaks: Evaluation under Diverse Environmental and Operational Conditions”, Co-author(s): Jui-Hsiang Lo; Daniel J. Zimmerle; Kathleen M Smits 64 Ayesh Madushanka Mahamada Kalapuwage, “Mapping Bond Strength in Drug-Like Chemical Space Using the QM40 Dataset: Structural Correlations and Chemical Insights”, Co-author(s): Pasan Weerasuriya; Rashmi Dharmakeerthi; Anjali Somasiri; Sayani Kariyawasam; Naleen B. Jayaratna; Elfi Kraka 65 Daniel Devore, “How Halogen Bonding Influences X-ray Photoelectron Spectra”, Co-author(s): Afifa Yousaf; Daniel P. Devore; Devin A. Matthews 66 Xuchao Gao, “Single by Choice or Rejection? Evidence on Mating Preferences in China” 67 Navodi Jayarathne, “Unraveling the Design and Operation of Soil Aeration Systems for Belowground Natural Gas Leak Mitigation”, Co-author(s): Jui-Hsiang Lo; Kathleen M. Smits 68 Palanisamy Kandhan, “Functional Dynamics of Water in New Delhi Metallo-ß-lactamase Catalysis”, Co-author(s): Chuanye Xiong; Timothy Palzkill 69 Chuanye Xiong, “Structural Plasticity and Functional Dynamics of Pigeon Cryptochrome 4 as Avian Magnetoreceptor”

14 | RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK 2026

70 Rebekah Napier-Jameson, “The SMC5/6 Complex Specifies p53 Activity in the Drosophila Germline Stem Compartment”, Co-author(s): Ting Cai; Ainsley Johnson; Annika Wylie 71

Jesiska Lowe, “The Role of p53 and Chk2 in Transposon Repression and Surveillance”

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (CONT.) 75 Milad Tanavardi Nasab, “Quantum AI Based Enhanced Detection of Dementia”, Co-author(s): Wu Yang 76 Sounak Bhowmik, “Physics-Guided Neural Networks for Real-Time Power Limits in eVTOL Batteries”, Coauthor(s): Talita Perciano; Himanshu Thapliyal

COMBINED GROUP 72 Kelli Ladwig, “Mary on the Half-Shell: Mary Delany and English Garden Shellwork Grottoes” 73 Ana Segovia, “Using Galaxy Cluster Abundances and Lensing to Place Constraints on Dynamical Dark Energy”, Co-author(s): Ting Cai; Ainsley Johnson; Annika Wylie 74 Kunj Panchal, “Joint Analysis of Optical and SZ Clusters”

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (CONT.) 77

Leone Lee, “Physics-Guided Neural Networks for RealTime Power Limits in eVTOL Batteries”, Co-author(s): Talita Perciano; Himanshu Thapliyal

COMPUTER SCIENCE (CONT.) 78 Kassi Nzalasse, “KADI: Composable Infrastructure for Distributed AI Agent Research”, Co-author(s): Corey Clark

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