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Shruti Vyas, PI, Assistant Professor [webpage] [UCF website] [linkedin][google scholar] Dr. Shruti Vyas is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work brings together chemical engineering, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to address challenges in sustainability, energy, and industrial diagnostics. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the National University of Singapore and her B.Tech. from IIT (BHU) Varanasi, and also spent three years in industry as a process design engineer at Engineers India Limited (EIL) before moving into academic research. Her postdoctoral work at the University of Central Florida focused on representation learning and visual understanding using deep learning, laying the foundation for her current research. At UCF, she leads a group developing intelligent, data-driven methods for applications such as molecular property prediction, photovoltaic defect detection and recycling, geolocalization, and industrial hazard identification. Guided by the vision of bringing the benefits of AI into experimental science, Dr. Vyas aims to accelerate discovery and create innovative solutions with meaningful real-world impact.

Fahimul Aleem, PhD student

Fahimul is a PhD student at UCF working at the intersection of computer vision, multimodal AI, and robotics.

Abdul Mueez, PhD student, [Website] [Linkedin]

Abdul is a PhD student at UCF whose research focuses on adapting advanced deep learning models to address complex computer vision challenges in industrial and engineering domains. Working in collaboration with Siemens Energy, he has contributed to improving operational systems by tailoring general-purpose models for domain-specific tasks. His approach also involves designing strategies to maximize the utility of training data to improve model performance. Before beginning his doctoral studies, he built a versatile career with experience in both academia and the software industry. As a university lecturer, he taught a range of core computer science courses and to make learning more accessible during the pandemic, developed a digital course hub for his students. This academic experience is complemented by his work as a software engineer, where he focused on improving system architecture and developing IoT solutions. In a key role, he contributed to the foundational technology for OTORide, a rideshare application, by developing the systems for its smart scooter and bike locks.

Aaditya Baranwal, PhD student [webpage] [Github] [linkedin]

Aaditya is a PhD student at UCF working at the intersection of computer vision, multimodal AI, and robotics. His research focuses on developing robust and interpretable models for real-world applications, spanning areas such as foundation models, zero/few-shot learning, multimodal inference, and generative modeling.

Before joining UCF, Aaditya gained industry experience at Bosch, Siemens Energy, and the startup AlphaBake, where he worked on applied machine learning and intelligent system design. These experiences shaped his ability to bridge theoretical advances with practical engineering solutions.

Aaditya has also developed a range of impactful projects—from ViTLoc, a transformer-based localization system, to GEAR, an ensemble model for GAN detection, and gesture-controlled robotic platforms. His work reflects a strong blend of innovation, technical rigor, and applicability.

Md Jahid Hasan, PhD student [Linkedin][scholar]

Jahid is a PhD student at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where his research focuses on bacterial degradation of plastics to develop sustainable waste management solutions. His work integrates microbiology, materials science, and environmental engineering. He earned his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), where he investigated plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings to improve corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. He completed his Bachelor’s at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), studying ultrasonic technology to reduce tool wear in machining. Jahid has published and presented research in corrosion science and surface engineering, and contributed to accepted proposals under Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). He also brings industry training and strong skills in materials characterization, computational tools, and programming. At UCF, his current work bridges engineering and microbiology to explore innovative solutions for plastic waste degradation.

Maximo Quintana, UG student

Maximo is an UG student at UCF.

Junior Chaj-Mejia, UG student

Jr is an UG student at UCF.

Ryan Haque, UG student Linkedin

Ryan is currently a undergraduate student in University of Central Florida (UCF) in his senior year. He has had previous research experience with Dr.Yongho Sohn related to metal addictive manufacturing. He is currently working with Dr.Vyas for his senior design project creating a system that will help recover rare earth elements for photovoltaic waste.

Safauna Grandison, UG student

Safauna is currently an undergraduate student in University of Central Florida (UCF) in her senior year. She is currently working with Dr.Vyas for her senior design project creating a system that will help recover rare earth elements for photovoltaic waste.

Diego Carbonell, UG student Linkedin

Diego Carbonell is a materials science and engineering undergrad currently in his senior year. He has experience in industry working with material characterization of polymers and thermal analysis of coatings. Currently, he is working with Dr. Vyas and her team for his senior design project to help create a system for the reclamation of valuable rare earth elements from end-of-life solar panels.