{"691154":{"#nid":"691154","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Innovation in Action: Meet ISyE\u2019s 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars\u00a0\u00a0","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis summer, eight undergraduate researchers are taking on big questions with even bigger potential. How can AI make public health information easier to understand? What causes financial systems to fail? How can computer chips stay cooler, and recommendation systems become fairer?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0027s (ISyE) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ugresearch.isye.gatech.edu\/research-awards-programs\/summer-scholars-program\u0022\u003ESummer Undergraduate Research Scholars (SURS) program\u003C\/a\u003E, these students are working toward answers to complex challenges like these. Over the course of 10 weeks, they work alongside faculty mentors, gaining hands-on research experience while developing new technical skills and contributing to research across a wide range of disciplines.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile their research spans AI for public health, urban design, sustainable transportation, semiconductor design, financial systems, optimization, time-series forecasting, and fairness in recommender systems, every project in the 2026 cohort begins with the same goal: using engineering and data-driven approaches to solve meaningful problems. Meet this year\u0027s scholars to learn what inspired their research, the questions they hope to answer, and the discoveries they aim to make throughout their summer projects.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZe Yu Jiang (Georgia State University) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/patrick-kastner\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatrick Kastner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInverse Urban Design for Wind Comfort using Surrogate Models\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZe Yu is developing AI-powered tools that help urban planners quickly evaluate building designs and create more comfortable outdoor spaces for pedestrians. After spending more than two years researching urban design, he sees this project as the next step toward making the design process faster and more effective:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0022Seeing as how we now have models that can quickly get accurate outputs, the next step would be to help designers quickly find designs that would produce outputs they are aiming for; then, we\u0027d have an even more productive design process! That\u0027s where my motivation came for this research!\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/g-mei\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGary Mei\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Georgia Institute of Technology) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/souvik-dhara\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESouvik Dhara\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Two-Channel Cascade Model of Bank Failure\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGary is studying how financial crises spread through banking networks to better understand what can lead to widespread economic instability. His longtime interest in finance sparked the idea behind his research:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0022When my professor introduced me to random graphs, my first thought was to model financial events with random graphs. I eventually landed on modeling bank failures, and I realized that the current configuration didn\u0027t account for bank runs\/fear, and that\u0027s what inspired my research.\u0022\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/haili-marie-cox\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHaili-Marie Cox\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Georgia Institute of Technology) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/xiaochen-xian\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EXiaochen Xian\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaking Public Health Information More Accessible with Large Language Models\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaili-Marie is building AI-powered tools that make trusted public health information easier for people to find, understand, and engage with. For her, the project combines her interest in artificial intelligence with a desire to create tools that make a meaningful difference:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cI was drawn to this topic of research because I\u2019m looking to build my skills in building tools that solve real-world problems. I\u2019m excited to see how AI can help bridge the gap between public health information and the people who need it most, while also learning more about how users interact with AI-powered resources.\u0022\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kaitao-liao\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKaitao Liao\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Emory University) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/enlu-zhou\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnlu Zhou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGenerative Boltzmann Optimization via Conditional Diffusion Models for Black-Box Optimization\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKaitao is exploring how AI can improve optimization methods by generating better solutions to complex problems. He is excited by the opportunity to tackle challenging optimization problems while advancing emerging AI techniques:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cI chose this project because I\u0027m interested in solving challenging high-dimensional and complex optimization problems. I\u0027m excited to explore how the GBO-CD algorithm can be improved to make it more robust and effective on these difficult optimization tasks.\u0022\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jevon-twitty-4a13a928b\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJevon Twitty\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Georgia Institute of Technology) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/shihao-yang\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShihao Yang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECapturing Shifting Temporal Dependencies with Tri-Region Fast Weights\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJevon is developing more efficient AI models that can better recognize patterns in time-series data across a variety of real-world applications. His interest in practical machine learning applications led him to explore new approaches to time-series forecasting:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0022I personally enjoy working in time series because I think it\u0027s a very practical field with tangible applications across many domains ... My current project is focused on Tri-Region Fast-Weight Hypernetworks, and I\u0027m excited to see if their inherent expressivity can prove effective in modeling complex inter-series dependencies in large-scale datasets with many channels.\u0022\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arsen-kozhabek\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArsen Kozhabek\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Georgia Institute of Technology) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/johannes-milz\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJohannes Milz\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPyrova: Thermal-Aware Macro Placement Under Workload Uncertainty\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArsen is researching ways to optimize computer chip layouts, so they remain cool and efficient under changing workloads. This project gives him an opportunity to combine his interests in electrical engineering, chip design, and optimization:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0022As an [electrical engineering] (EE) major, I was looking for a project at the intersection of EE and [ISyE]. I\u0027m interested in chip design, and Dr. Milz has strong expertise in optimization, so we thought it\u0027d be interesting to apply optimization to some part of the chip design flow \u2014 physical design felt like the most natural fit. I\u0027m hoping to grow as a researcher and come out with a stronger foundation in both hardware and applied math.\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zaidbaloch\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZaid Baloch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Georgia State University) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/srinivas-peeta\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESrinivas Peeta\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvancing Sustainable Travel in Smart Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZaid is helping develop data-driven transportation solutions that improve mobility, accessibility, sustainability, and quality of life in smart communities. He sees the experience as a chance to apply technology to challenges that affect everyday life:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0022I chose this project because I am interested in applying data and technology to solve real-world transportation challenges that can improve people\u0027s daily lives. Through this experience, I hope to strengthen my technical and research skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how data-driven solutions are designed, implemented, and evaluated in smart communities.\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lauren-patterson3\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELauren Patterson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E (Emory University) \u2013 Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/juba-ziani\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJuba Ziani\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFeedback Loops and Fairness in Recommender Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELauren is studying how recommendation systems can unintentionally create unfair outcomes and exploring ways to make online platforms more equitable for all users. Her curiosity about algorithms, privacy, and the ways digital platforms shape consumer behavior inspired her to pursue this research:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u201cThis might be kind of nerdy, but I\u2019ve had a bit of a hyperfixation on recommender systems, pricing algorithms, privacy, and how platforms influence people\u2019s behavior ... [There are] concerns around platforms using behavioral data, like how often someone looks at an item, to personalize recommendations, ads, or even pricing ... A person might feel like they are making a normal shopping decision, but the platform may have already shaped the options, timing, framing, and price in front of them. [This is what inspired my research.]\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterested in getting involved with undergraduate research at ISyE? To learn more about upcoming opportunities, faculty mentors, and student projects, visit the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ugresearch.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EISyE Undergraduate Research Portal\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis summer, eight undergraduate researchers are taking on big questions with even bigger potential.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This summer, eight undergraduate researchers are taking on big questions with even bigger potential. "}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-07-17 15:25:08","changed_gmt":"2026-07-17 18:13:13","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680623":{"id":"680623","type":"image","title":"2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars\u00a0\u00a0","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784301939","gmt_created":"2026-07-17 15:25:39","changed":"1784301939","gmt_changed":"2026-07-17 15:25:39","alt":"2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars\u00a0\u00a0","file":{"fid":"264911","name":"SURS-Web.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/17\/SURS-Web.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/17\/SURS-Web.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":171573,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/17\/SURS-Web.jpg?itok=1gguGWm4"}}},"media_ids":["680623"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETiffany Ng,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudent Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}