Emi Aoki
Graduate Student in Electrical Engineering
Research
Computational modeling, digital twins, model-based systems engineering, enterprise architecture, data analytics
Skills
- programming language: Python, MATLAB, Fortran
- other: Systems Modeling Language (SysML): Magic Systems of Systems Architect, LaTeX, Maxima, Microsoft Office
Biography
Emi Aoki is a graduate student originally from Japan who came to the U.S. with an initial focus on mathematics. She transitioned to Electrical Engineering, earning both her B.S. and M.S. from UMass Lowell. Her research spans an interdisciplinary range of areas, including computational modeling, systems engineering, and health sciences. Since 2022, she has been a contributor and co-creator of educational modules for the graduate certificate in Digital Engineering at UMass Lowell.
Education
- PhD (expected 2027) Electrical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- MS (2022) Electrical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
– Received Electrical Engineering Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2021) - BS (2020) Electrical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
– Summa Cum Laude
– Received Electrical Engineering Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2020)
Experiences
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (Jan. 2022 – Current) for EECE. 4130 Linear Feedback System
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (Sep. 2022 – Current) for EECE. 5492 Systems, Modeling and Simulations for Digital Eng, EECE. 5494 Model-Based Systems Engineering, EECE. 5496 Cyber-Physical Systems Modeling and Simulation, EECE. 5498 Data-Driven Models, Decision Making, and Risk Management
- Collaborated with Prof. Chandra and Prof. Thompson for developing courses in the graduate certificate in Digital Engineering and taught the graduate students in the civilian workforce at a local US Air Force Base (Fall ’22, Spring ’23, Fall ’23). Key responsibilities include: developing and designing lectures, assignments, and projects.
- RAMP mentor (Summer 2023, 2024)
- Graduate Research Assistant in CACT (Sep. 2020 – Current) Advised by Prof. Chandra and Prof. Thompson: Conduct multiple projects and research involving statistics, data analysis, acoustics, model-based systems engineering, and engineering education.
- 2023~2024: Co-designed educational modules related to Digital Engineering and Human Balance System.
- Research Assistant at UMass Lowell (Mar. 2021 – Jun. 2021) Advised by Prof. Zhu Mao: Investigated the power line-induced vibration data and developed feature-based classification of utility pole. Project sponsored by NEC Laboratories America.
- Research Assistant at UMass Lowell (Jan. 2020 – Jan. 2021) Advised by Prof. Zhu Mao: Developed applications of Microsoft HoloLens.
- Grader for EECE. 3120 Electronics II Laboratory (Fall ’19, Spring ’20)
- Research Assistant at UMass Lowell (May 2018 – Dec. 2018) Advised by Prof. Jay Weitzen and Prof. Rachel Wakim: Developed a software used to map an indoor wireless coverage. (2019 COMCAS)
Selected Publications
- E. Aoki, F. Norcéide, G. Boopathy, C. Thompson, and K. Chandra, “Integrating Neuromorphic Sensors, Digital Twins, and MBSE Interfaces for Systems Validation,” 2026 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), Halifax, Canada, 2026.
- Selected for the Best Student Paper Award.
- G. Boopathy, E. Aoki, F. Norcéide, C. Thompson, E. Lewis, and K. Chandra, “Digital Engineering Framework for Promoting Health and Human Performance with Immersive Technology,” 2025 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), Montreal, QC, Canada, 2025, doi: 10.1109/SysCon64521.2025.11014833.
- E. Aoki, B. Tran, F. Norcéide, V. Tran, S. Sastry, C. Thompson, and K. Chandra, “Integrating Software and Systems Engineering: A Framework for Human-Centric Design of Augmented Reality Application.” 2024 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), Montreal, QC, Canada, 2024, pp. 1-8 doi: 10.1109/SysCon61195.2024.10553472
- K. Chandra, O. Batarseh, S. Kraemer, E. Aoki, and F. Norcéide, “Integrating Model-Based Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking Skills in Engineering Courses.” American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, OR, 2024. https://peer.asee.org/47657.
- E. Aoki, B. Tran, N. Uhunsere, S. Tripathy, C. Thompson. S. Sastry, and K. Chandra, “Multi-Disciplinary Authoring – A critical foundation for Augmented Reality Systems in Training and Education,” Proc. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, June 2023. https://peer.asee.org/43690.
- A. Smith, E. Aoki, M. Ghandi, J. Burek, C. Thompson, and K. Chandra, “Human Balance Models for Engineering Education: An Innovative Graduate Co-Creation Project,” American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, June 2023. https://peer.asee.org/43399.
- E. AokiP. GandhiF. NorceideK. ChandraC. Thompson, “Model based spectral feature analysis in reverberant acoustic fields.” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. vol. 153 (3_supplement), p. A45, March 2023. doi: 10.1121/10.0018097.
- E. Aoki, B. Tran, V. Tran, K. Soth, C. Thompson, S. Tripathy, K. Chandra, and S. Sastry, “Representing Augmented Reality Applications in Systems Modeling Language,” 2023 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2023, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/SysCon53073.2023.10131060.
- Master’s Thesis: E. Aoki, “A Statistical Characterization of COVID-19 Infections Considering City-Level Population and Economic Demographics.” Order No. 28966351, University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States — Massachusetts, 2022. Available: proquest.com.
Paper: “Characterizing Persistence and Disparity of Covid-19 Infection Rates with City Level Demographic and Regional Features,” 2022. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2211.12583.
Honors & Awards
- IEEE SysCon 2026 Best Student Paper Award (2026)
- Elected Associate Member of Sigma Xi (2023)
- Professor Charlie Steele Memorial Scholarship Fund, UML, recipient (academic year 2023-2024)