Are you worried about finals? Cannot focus? Need a hand from peers? All the study rooms are booked? Well, this is the time to join the honors finals study lounge...at the end of the day, we're all on the same boat! Join us for an intense study session with background focus music and snacks! Feel free to bring your friends and let them enjoy the evening!  Make sure to RSVP!

Earn Intellectual Curiosity and Innovation points on Jacket Journey.

(Advisor: Prof. Anju Toor)

will propose a doctoral thesis entitled, 

 Engineering Tunable Hydrogel Electrolytes for Stretchable Batteries and Organic Electrochemical Transistors

On

Friday, December 4 at 3:00 p.m.

MoSE Room 1224

Abstract

Stretchable electronics are driving critical advancements in wearable devices, soft robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, developing energy storage and signal transduction devices that can operate reliably under mechanical deformation remains challenging. Conventional liquid electrolytes are widely used in these devices but face problems such as leakage, evaporation, and poor mechanical stability under strain. To overcome these issues, hydrogel electrolytes emerge as a robust alternative by combining high ionic conductivity with intrinsic mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, their properties can be precisely tuned to meet the divergent needs of distinct electrochemical devices. This proposal focuses on engineering a versatile hydrogel electrolyte platform for stretchable batteries and organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). To this end, the first research thrust develops stretchable aqueous lithium-ion batteries using dual-salt hydrogel electrolytes. The polymer network and salt composition are rationally designed to achieve a wide electrochemical stability window, high ionic conductivity, stretchability, and self-healing. These electrolytes are integrated with stretchable electrode architectures to maintain stable battery performance during mechanical deformation and after damage. The second thrust applies this hydrogel platform to OECTs, which impose distinct requirements for ionic transport and electrochemical operation. This work systematically examines how electrolyte composition and physiochemical properties affect transistor performance, operating potential, and long-term cycling stability. It also investigates the impact of humidity, temperature, and environmental hydration on device operation. The optimized hydrogels are then integrated into stretchable OECTs to evaluate their electrochemical performance under applied mechanical strain. Through these two applications, this research establishes fundamental design principles for hydrogel electrolytes and supports the development of fully stretchable electronic systems with seamlessly integrated energy storage and signal transduction.

Committee

• Prof. Anju Toor – School of Materials Science and Engineering (advisor)
• Prof. Antonio Facchetti – School of Materials Science and Engineering
• Prof. Matthew McDowell – School of Materials Science and Engineering
• Prof. Seung Soon Jang – School of Materials Science and Engineering
• Prof. Nian Liu – School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

To ensure we have enough food for everyone, each attendee must register in advance.

Parking is available nearby in Visitor Area 5, State St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332. Please bring your parking ticket with you for validation. Use this address for GPS: State St. NW., Atlanta, GA 30332

There is no cost to attend this event.

If you would like more information on our program, including how to join, please visit our webpage.

Registration closes Friday, November 27, 2026

Event Overview (Tentative)

NOTE:  Please register for this session that best fits your schedule by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=40fc9029f8b601325f2055f6c0a01662

During this session, you'll learn about Takeda's mission, culture, and the meaningful work our employees do every day to improve patients' lives. We'll share an overview of our Summer Internship Program, discuss the recruiting and interview process, and provide an opportunity to connect with our University Relations team.

Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for students pursuing undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degrees who are graduating in December 2027 or later and are interested in learning about internship opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Why Takeda?
At Takeda, we're united by our purpose of creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We are committed to investing in the next generation of talent through meaningful learning experiences, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Our Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to spend 10-12 weeks working on impactful projects, gaining hands-on industry experience, and building connections with professionals across the organization. Interns contribute to meaningful work that advances our mission while developing the skills, knowledge, and network needed to launch their careers.

Internship opportunities are available across a variety of functions, including Research & Development (R&D), Global Supply Chain & Quality (GSQ), Oncology, Plasma-Derived Therapies (PDT), Global Corporate Functions, and more. Whether your interests are in science, business, technology, or operations, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while exploring a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

NOTE:  Please register for this session that best fits your schedule by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=bbb69183e56c8601bf35f1ed9a594b09

During this session, you'll learn about Takeda's mission, culture, and the meaningful work our employees do every day to improve patients' lives. We'll share an overview of our Summer Internship Program, discuss the recruiting and interview process, and provide an opportunity to connect with our University Relations team.

Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for students pursuing undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degrees who are graduating in December 2027 or later and are interested in learning about internship opportunities in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Why Takeda?
At Takeda, we're united by our purpose of creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We are committed to investing in the next generation of talent through meaningful learning experiences, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Our Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to spend 10-12 weeks working on impactful projects, gaining hands-on industry experience, and building connections with professionals across the organization. Interns contribute to meaningful work that advances our mission while developing the skills, knowledge, and network needed to launch their careers.

Internship opportunities are available across a variety of functions, including Research & Development (R&D), Global Supply Chain & Quality (GSQ), Oncology, Plasma-Derived Therapies (PDT), Global Corporate Functions, and more. Whether your interests are in science, business, technology, or operations, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while exploring a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Date: November 24th, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET

Location: Zoom Meeting

Siheng Xiong

Machine Learning PhD Student

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee

1. Dr. Faramarz Fekri (Advisor), Georgia Institute of Technology
2. Dr. Ghassan AlRegib, Georgia Institute of Technology
3. Dr. Kartik Goyal, Georgia Institute of Technology
4. Dr. Suguman Bansal, Georgia Institute of Technology
5. Dr. Karthikeyan Sundaresan, Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract

Large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated strong capabilities in complex problem-solving but still face challenges in reliable multi-step reasoning, planning, and self-improvement. While chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting enables intermediate reasoning, it often lacks explicit structures to guide and verify the reasoning process. We introduce structure-driven agentic reasoning, a paradigm that integrates structured representations with adaptive reasoning and learning to improve LLM capabilities. Specifically, we explore graph-based reasoning for temporal understanding and logical verification, hierarchical planning and execution, adaptive information acquisition through reinforcement learning, and experience-driven skill evolution. Extensive experiments across temporal, mathematical, logical, and knowledge-intensive tasks demonstrate improvements in reasoning accuracy, efficiency, and skill transfer. Together, these findings highlight the potential of explicit structure to support more reliable, efficient, and adaptive reasoning in LLMs.

Abstract: Policy gradient methods are widely used in reinforcement learning, yet the nonconvexity of their objectives makes global convergence difficult to establish. We study finite-horizon and infinite-horizon discounted Markov decision processes (MDPs) with general state and action spaces. For each setting, we identify structural conditions under which every stationary point is globally optimal and establish non-asymptotic convergence rates for policy gradient methods. Applications include tabular MDPs, control models such as the linear quadratic regulator, and operations models for inventory and cash management for which we establish the first policy gradient complexity guarantees.
 

Bio: Minda Zhao is a final-year Ph.D. student in OR, advised by Prof. Xin Chen. His research focuses on stochastic programming, nonconvex optimization, and reinforcement learning, with applications to operations management. He studies the structure of optimization problems in queueing and sequential decision-making models, as well as the role of human supervision in algorithmic decision-making.​

Student Name: Ji Gao

Thesis Title: Reinforcement Learning for Control and Optimization of Sustainable Chemical Processes

Thesis Advisor: Zhaohui Tong, ChBE

Thesis Co-Advisor: Guanghui Lan, ISyE

Committee Members: Fani Boukouvala, ChBE; Andrew J Medford, ChBE; Yongsheng Chen, CEE

Date: 11/17/2026

Time: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Location: Ford ES&T L1120 Conference Room

Dissertation Committee Chair/Advisor:
Dr. Robert C. Wilson – (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Dissertation Committee Members:
Dr. Thomas L. Griffiths – (Princeton University)
Dr. Anna Ivanova – (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Dr. Sashank Varma – (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Dr. Travis E. Baker – (Rutgers University, Newark)

Title: Language as Process Evidence for Modeling Human Cognition

Abstract:
Different cognitive processes can produce the same choice. This dissertation uses large language models to test what verbal reports add to behavioral measurements by linking what people say to what they do. In two risky-choice experiments, think-aloud reports improved predictions of the choice made on the same trial. Prediction accuracy remained above the task-only baseline after explicit choice statements were masked. In sorting, programs generated from participants’ written strategies predicted their actions more accurately on average than programs generated from other participants’ reports. In stochastic learning and risky choice, verbal reports were mapped to strategy labels and numerical decision variables. Supplying think-aloud reports during automated model discovery improved model fit and changed the computational structures of the resulting models. Reinforcement learning on human choice proportions elicited candidate explanations of risky choices. Training on synthetic choices generated by an expected-value rule shifted the explanations toward expected-value comparisons. Together, these studies provide methods for using verbal reports to formulate and test computational accounts of how people make decisions and carry out strategies.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

Students and alumni can go to the Pre-Health Canvas HOME page for times and the Zoom link.

NOTE:  Remember to register for this event by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=c03e9867214b1b02e0c353f5705754c9

NOTE:  Remember to register for this event by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=2187fea53b135a89a4ffa4b31736b0ce

NOTE:  Remember to register for this event by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=649a3e8a136df75023cd36d75681d137

NOTE:  Remember to register for this event by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=538bac81962efed43a156245a5d85d71

NOTE:   Remember to register for this virtual event by clicking on the registration link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=is&mode=form&id=9d7eb2bcab017d80be2a3795a8e2c64d

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

As of September 2025,  drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
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website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Drop-ins are only for current Georgia Tech undergraduate students. The meeting link can be accessed via the Navigate360 kiosk.  The meeting link will change regularly so always go in through the kiosk.

Graduate students and alumni need to email Dr. Susan Belmonte at sbelmonte@gatech.edu.

All times are Eastern Time.
Mon, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM 
Th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Upcoming cancellations
 
Follow us through Academic Success and Advising on Instagram! @gtsuccess

website: https://www.success.gatech.edu 

Join the Pre-Graduate Advising Canvas site.  The site focuses on information and resources related to events, fellowships, etc. that can help prospective applicants prepare for or apply to graduate school. 
 
To join: https://tinyurl.com/GTpregradCanvasenroll 

Advisor: Dr. Dimitri Mavris

Milestone: PhD Thesis Final Examination (Defense)

Degree Program: Aerospace Engineering

Title: Methodology for Supporting Military Strategy Development at the Operational Level of Warfare Using Reinforcement Learning

Abstract: Advances in military technology have expanded the capabilities available to commanders, increasing the complexity of operational decision-making and the number of potential courses of action. As technological advantages become increasingly transient, the effective employment of available capabilities is critical to operational success. Traditional approaches to military planning, including human wargaming and modeling and simulation, provide valuable decision support but face limitations in systematically exploring large decision spaces. In particular, simulation-based approaches often rely on predefined decision-making rules that constrain the strategies available for evaluation. Artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning offer an opportunity to develop decision-making policies through repeated interactions with simulated environments, enabling the exploration of strategies without explicitly prescribing their underlying logic. This thesis investigates the application of deep reinforcement learning to operational-level air campaign planning using an agent-based simulation environment. The research focuses on aircraft allocation, target prioritization, and mission sequencing across multi-cycle campaigns. A central challenge is the combinatorial nature of the aircraft assignment problem at scale, which is compounded by variable force compositions, spatially distributed threats, and evolving battlefield conditions. To address this challenge, a Deep Q-Network-based formulation is developed that aggregates battlefield information into spatial zones and decomposes the joint assignment problem into a sequence of individual aircraft allocation decisions. This approach enables the use of fixed-dimensional state and action representations while accommodating variations in the number and distribution of battlefield entities. Experiments investigate the effects of spatial aggregation and alternative neural network architectures on learning effectiveness and operational performance. Additionally, a capability-based decision-making formulation is proposed to investigate the potential for generalization across aircraft types without requiring extensive modifications to the underlying model. The results demonstrate that such an approach is viable and provides a foundation for further research into operational strategy exploration, with additional insight into the strategies that the agent finds.

Date and time: 2026-11-17, 2PM

Location: Weber CoVE

Committee:
Dr. Dimitri Mavris (advisor), School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Kyriakos Vamvoudakis, School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Jenna Jordan, School of International Affairs
Dr. Olivia Pinon-Fischer, School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Michael Salpukas, Raytheon Technologies

 

Advisor: Dr. Dimitri Mavris

Milestone: MS Thesis Final Examination (Defense)

Degree Program: Aerospace Engineering

Title: A Discrete Event Simulation Framework For Assessing Lunar Dust Impact On Moon Base Operations

Abstract: Lunar dust remains one of the most persistent operational hazards identified since the Apollo missions, and it continues to rank among the highest-priority technology gaps as NASA and international partners pursue a permanent surface settlement at the lunar south pole. Despite decades of individual-element research into dust generation, transport, and damage mechanisms, the existing literature lacks a systems-level framework capable of translating these isolated findings into an assessment of their cumulative impact on mission-level operations. This thesis addresses that gap by proposing a Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) framework that integrates dust transport, deposition, and performance-degradation models into a unified representation of a lunar outpost. The framework couples anthropogenic dust sources, including plume-surface interaction, rover traverses, and extravehicular activity (EVA), and links their cumulative effects to the operational availability of rovers and EVA suits. Three research questions guide the investigation, addressing the viability of a use-case mission, the endurance of EVA suits under dust accumulation, and the availability of rovers together with the required cleaning frequencies. The proposed methodology captures the stochastic nature of dust-impact frequencies and component failures, allowing the framework to characterize not only expected mission outcomes but also their variance and associated operational risk. Four experiments are defined to address these research questions, beginning with a baseline verification of the dust-inclusive model against a dust-free scenario, followed by design-of-experiments (DoE) studies isolating the influence of parameters such as rover speed, cleaning frequency, EVA conditions, rover formations, and their combined interactions. The proposed methodology is intended to serve as a foundation upon which higher-fidelity models and mission concepts of operations can be built to support future lunar campaign planning. 

Date and time: 2026-11-25, 9:00 AM

Location: Collaborative Visualization Environment (CoVE) Weber SST II

Committee:
Dr. Dimitri Mavris (advisor), School of Aerospace Engineering
Prof. John Christian, School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Tristan Sarton Du Jonchay, School of Aerospace Engineering (Until August 2026, when they left Georgia Tech)

 

Advisor: Dr. Dimitri Mavris

Milestone: MS Thesis Final Examination (Defense)

Degree Program: Aerospace Engineering

Title: A Methodology to Assess Trimmability During Early-Stage Conceptual Design for Advanced Concepts with Multiple, Redundant Control Effectors

Abstract: The Blended Wing Body (BWB) is one of the most promising configurations for reducing the fuel consumption of transport aircraft, but several challenges remain before it can enter service. One of them is trimming the aircraft at low speed after an engine failure, a condition required for certification. This is hard to assess early in design. The BWB has many redundant control effectors that share the same surfaces. The tail volume coefficient, the conventional way to size a vertical tail, rests on statistics of tube-and-wing aircraft that do not apply to it. This thesis develops a methodology to assess the trimmability of aircraft with multiple, redundant control effectors during conceptual design. Trim in each low-speed condition is posed as a constrained control allocation problem. The deflection of every effector, together with the angle of attack, sideslip and bank angle, is chosen to satisfy the equilibrium equations with the least control effort, within the limits of each surface. The control margin this leaves, and the effector that limits it, measure how close the aircraft is to losing control authority. The aerodynamic loads come from a vortex lattice model with empirical corrections for the control surfaces. The methodology is verified on the NASA Common Research Model. It is then applied to size a twin, canted vertical tail for a BWB by trimming 750 tail designs in the one-engine-inoperative takeoff and in crosswind. Without a tail, the BWB cannot be trimmed after an engine failure. The fin area is the most important design variable, followed by the cant angle, which trades margin in one condition against the other. Above a certain fin size the margin no longer grows. It is then limited by the roll authority of the outboard ailerons in crosswind, not by the tail. The volume coefficient of conventional transports gives a fin several times larger than the smallest tails whose margin is close to the best, so the conventional method oversizes the BWB tail. The methodology is intended as a module for conceptual design and multidisciplinary design optimization frameworks.

Date and time: 2026-11-25, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: CoVE

Committee:
Dr. Dimitri Mavris (advisor), School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Jimmy Tai, School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Daniel Schrage, School of Aerospace Engineering
, 

 

Host: Dr. Afroditi Papadopoulou

Title: What Can Explain the MiniBooNE Anomaly?: Recent MicroBooNE LEE Searches

Abstract:

MicroBooNE is a neutrino experiment that uses a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detector to investigate the observed anomalous low energy excess (LEE) of single electromagnetic shower events reported by the MiniBooNE experiment. By leveraging the LArTPC technology's ability to distinguish electron and photon electromagnetic showers, MicroBooNE is able to thoroughly test a number of hypotheses for the origin of the LEE. After five years of data taking from two accelerator beamlines at Fermilab, MicroBooNE has recently published results testing explanations for the MiniBooNE anomaly, including three single-photon searches spanning multiple underlying processes and topologies and a 3+1 sterile neutrino oscillation analysis leveraging both the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beamlines.

Short bio:

Erin Yandel got her undergrad degree in Physics at Cornell University in 2018. She then moved to the University of California - Santa Barbara for her graduate school studies where she worked in collaboration with Prof. Xiao Luo. Her PhD included working on two detectors that are part of the Short Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab in Illinois: analyzing neutrino data collected by the MicroBooNE detector and working on installation and commissioning of the SBND detector. After receiving her PhD in experimental particle physics in 2024, she joined LANL as a Director's Postdoc Fellow where she is continuing her research on neutrinos as a member of the MicroBooNE, SBND, and DUNE collaborations. She is currently leading the Oscillations Working Group on MicroBooNE.

Bruno Vizzone

Advisor:  Dr. Surabhi Sachdev, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Who Hosts the Sirens? Tracing the Origins of Binary Black Holes with a Galaxy-Based Forward Model

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

9:00 a.m.

CCB 103

Committee Members:

Dr. Laura Cadonati, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. David Ballantyne, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Dimitrios Psaltis, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Yinglei Peng

Advisor:  Dr. Surabhi Sachdev, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Finding and Recognizing Rare Neutron-Star Mergers: Search Completeness, Kilonova Predictions, and Bank-Free Searches

Monday, November 16, 2026

2:30 p.m.

CCB 103

Committee Members:

Dr. Feryal Özel, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. John Wise, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Meg Millhouse, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Master of Science in Biology

in the

School of Biological Sciences

Michon A. Shaw

Will defend his thesis

“Quantitative Analysis of Living Shoreline Stability Through Observed Behavioral Adaptations of Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica)”

Friday November 20th, 2026

2:00 pm

Kendeda Building Seminar Room 118

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2776873581776448?p=SOEiaPkbSMIazN8h6v

Thesis Advisor:

Dr. Marc J. Weissburg

School of Ocean Science & Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee Members:

Dr. Joseph P. Montoya

School of Ocean Science & Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Emily G. Weigel

School of Biological Sciences

Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract:

Living shorelines are increasingly recognized as important forms of natural coastal infrastructure, providing shoreline stabilization, habitat complexity, and essential ecosystem services. Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), as foundational ecosystem engineers, contribute to these functions through reef formation and water filtration. However, the ecological consequences of predator-induced behavioral adaptations in oysters, particularly their potential effects on filtration activity, remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated whether exposure to predator-associated chemical cues, specifically homarine and trigonelline, influences the filtration behavior of juvenile Eastern oysters. Using a 12-hour mesocosm experiment, juvenile oyster spat were exposed to four experimental treatments: high concentrations of predator chemical cues, low concentrations of predator chemical cues, no chemical cues, and a no-oyster control. The experiment consisted of six experimental blocks, with four replicates per treatment within each block. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were measured at the beginning and end of each trial to quantify chlorophyll depletion and estimate oyster clearance rates. A mixed-model analysis revealed no statistically significant effect of chemical treatment on the proportionate reduction of chlorophyll-a (F(3,87) = 1.60, p = 0.195), indicating insufficient evidence to conclude that predator-associated chemical cues significantly altered oyster filtration behavior under the experimental conditions. Although treatment differences were observed, oysters in the no-chemical treatment generally exhibited greater chlorophyll depletion, while the no-oyster control demonstrated minimal chlorophyll loss. Oyster size measurements also revealed no significant differences among experimental groups (F = 1.23, p = 0.297), suggesting that variation in juvenile spat size was unlikely to explain the observed treatment patterns. Despite the absence of statistically significant treatment effects, observed differences in filtration activity suggest that predator-associated chemical cues may influence oyster feeding behavior and warrant further investigation. These findings highlight the importance of examining non-consumptive predator effects when evaluating oyster physiology, ecological functioning, and the long-term performance of restored living shorelines.

NOTE:  Remember to register for this event by clicking on the Zoom link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=ws&mode=form&id=0bac9a1a50385a7d60a1838ca71d9ca6

NOTE: These sessions are designed for students currently enrolled in OMS (online master of science) programs.  Also, remember to register for this event by clicking on the Zoom link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=ws&mode=form&id=ce8e77ddce3e384bae3f8e7db0271b5f

NOTE: These sessions are designed for students currently enrolled in OMS (online master of science) programs.  Also, remember to register for this event by clicking on the Zoom link provided.

https://gatech-csm.symplicity.com/students/?s=event&ss=ws&mode=form&id=e01a506f888093aec5bcfb5631ea05fa

Date: Friday, November 20, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

Location: Georgia Tech Library Dissertation Defense Room (PG 4222)

Link to Join Presentation: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/226087938578718?p=1C63dFt4xav1CoYvrs

Committee Members

• Dr. Pardis Pishdad – School of Building Construction, Georgia Tech (Advisor, Chair)
• Dr. Valerie M. Thomas – School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Tech
• Dr. Ebenezer Fanijo – School of Building Construction, Georgia Tech
• Dr. Patrick Kastner – School of Architecture, Georgia Tech

• Dr. Sanjeev Adhikari – Department of Construction Management, Kennesaw State University

   

Title: Comparative Carbon, Schedule, and Cost-Parity Conditions of Conventional, Modular, and Distributed Construction: An Integrated Decision-Support Framework

Abstract:

Housing delivery in the United States faces mounting challenges associated with rising construction costs, schedule pressures, labor shortages, and increasing demands to reduce embodied carbon emissions. In response, industrialized construction approaches, including traditional modular construction (TM) and the emerging concept of distributed construction (DC), have gained attention as potential alternatives to conventional construction (CC). Although these approaches offer opportunities to improve construction efficiency and sustainability, empirical evidence supporting systematic comparisons of their schedule, cost, and environmental performance remains limited. In particular, there is a lack of integrated, evidence-based assessment frameworks that enable consistent comparisons of these construction methods under varying project conditions.

This dissertation addresses this gap by developing an integrated, Building Information Modeling (BIM)-enabled decision-support framework to systematically evaluate and compare the schedule, cost, and embodied carbon performance of CC, TM, and DC. The proposed framework integrates BIM-based quantity takeoff, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using Tally, parametric modeling using Rhino and Grasshopper, phase-level schedule scenarios, break-even cost analysis, multi-objective optimization (NSGA-II), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).. This integration enables systematic generation and evaluation of alternative design and construction scenarios and supports the identification of trade-offs among project duration, construction cost, and embodied carbon emissions. Furthermore, the framework facilitates sensitivity analyses to investigate how variations in material waste, transport distance, grid emission factors, and fabrication duration influence the relative performance of each delivery method.

The framework is demonstrated through case studies at the room-unit and project levels. At the room-unit level, prototype modular units are compared with conventional guestrooms. At the project level, all three construction approaches are evaluated using a consistent building design and project scope. An actual conventional construction project serves as the baseline, providing observed project data for the CC scenario. Comparable TM and DC scenarios are developed for the same building using data derived from an actual DC prototype case study, supplemented by published empirical evidence and relevant literature on modular construction. This approach enables a controlled, scenario-based comparison while explicitly accounting for the assumptions and limitations associated with extrapolating data across different construction methods.

In the modeled scenarios, TM and DC had lower construction-stage embodied carbon than CC, by about 10% and 14%, and prototype modular units had lower emissions than conventional units. These advantages depended mostly on the conventional material waste rate and on the distance between production facilities and the site. Both TM and DC shortened the construction phase mainly when off-site fabrication overlapped site work, and the resulting schedule savings could offset only a small cost premium, below the premiums reported for offsite construction. The comparison therefore identifies the conditions under which each method performs better, not a single best method.

The dissertation contributes to the body of knowledge by establishing an integrated BIM–LCA–schedule–cost decision-support framework that connects material-level, room-unit-level, and project-level performance outcomes to their underlying design and construction assumptions. By identifying performance trade-offs and the project conditions under which alternative construction methods may offer advantages, the research provides a systematic basis for evaluating industrialized construction strategies. The resulting framework supports owners, designers, contractors, and public agencies in making more informed, project-specific decisions regarding conventional, modular, and distributed construction approaches.

Advisor: Dr. Dimitri Mavris

Milestone: MS Thesis Final Examination (Defense)

Degree Program: Aerospace Engineering

Title: Reentry Logistics: a Methodology for the Design of High-Cadence LEO-to-Earth Supply Chains

Abstract: Access to space is becoming cheaper and more frequent, but what about the way back? Reentering still happens at low frequency, yet applications from in-space manufacturing to commercial space stations converge on a common need: bringing mass down from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) reliably, safely, and frequently. Thus, with reentry technologies established and operators committing to weekly or monthly returns, scaling returns from a sporadic event to recurring traffic is an operational challenge, rather than a technological one. What distinguishes the resulting LEO-to-Earth supply chain from conventional logistics is entry, descent, and landing (EDL), whose physics and regulation introduce unique costs and constraints. To our knowledge, no framework couples EDL trajectory analysis with fleet logistics and ground investments. This thesis addresses that gap for a single operator that returns a growing and heterogeneous volume of payloads, and maximizes its profit over a multi-year horizon by acting on its portfolio acquisition trajectory: fleet, landing sites, and refurbishing capacities. The methodology analyzes mission legs, including EDL; simulates portfolios, following each vehicle's operations and interactions; and searches for the best one through a genetic algorithm, in a simulation-based optimization. According to our model, the operator is expected to converge, across most of the scenarios explored, to few large vehicle types and several landing sites, over which traffic spreads as demand grows. In the baseline scenario, the main vehicle type is a large mid lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) architecture, while high L/D vehicles find a niche in time sensitive payloads through more landing opportunities. Removing congestion or deorbit limits makes these vehicles disappear and traffic spread less, which suggests that such couplings must be considered. Under increasing penalties on disruption to air traffic and population, the operator first moves its landings, at little cost, then switches to more controllable vehicles, and finally enters the market later. These results, which produce a first map of predicted high-cadence LEO-to-Earth traffic, can inform commercial actors and regulators. An efficient and high-cadence way back from space is yet to be built, and this thesis is a first study of it.

Date and time: 2026-11-18, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Location: CoVE

Committee:
Dr. Dimitri Mavris (advisor), School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Koki Ho, School of Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Tristan Sarton du Jonchay, School of Aerospace Engineering (until August 2026, when they left GT)

 

School of Physics Thesis Proposal

Matteo Ugliotti

Advisor:  Dr. Roman Grigoriev, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

A Physically-Informed Machine Learning Approach to Turbulence Modeling

Thursday, November 19, 2026

9:00 a.m.

Howey N110

Committee Members:

Dr. Dimitrios Psaltis, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Michael Schatz, School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Suhas S. Jain, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology