Fall 2025 HiPE
Faculty Director
Dr. Damian Valles is in his second year as an Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Program at the Ingram School of Engineering. He’s been working on HPC research since 2005, Embedded research projects since 2012, and Machine Learning research since 2014. Triple graduate from the ECE Department at UTEP. IEEE, Supercomputing, & AI believer. Faculty Fellow appointments for the Translational Health Research Center (THRC) and the Texas State Center for Analytics and Data Science (TXST CADS) Research Center.
Dr. Valles’s Page
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Rashik Shadman
Spring 2026 – present
Bio: Dr. Rashik Shadman is an experienced lecturer and researcher with a strong academic and technical background in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has extensive expertise in Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, MATLAB, Cadence Virtuoso, C/C++, and Verilog. He brings a multidisciplinary skill set spanning deep learning, computer vision, explainable AI, semiconductor devices, biometrics, and keystroke dynamics.
He completed his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Clarkson University and holds a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Bangladesh. His research interests include developing advanced machine learning models for security, authentication, and human–computer interaction, with a particular emphasis on interpretability and resilience.
Dr. Shadman is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electrical Engineering at Texas State University, contributing to cutting-edge research and collaborative projects on ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor device materials and related technologies. Dr. Shadman’s Page
Ph.D. Students
Zaheen Afroz Simin
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Zaheen Afroz Simin is pursuing her Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Texas State University, a journey she began in Fall 2023. With a profound curiosity and a passion for continuous learning, Zaheen is dedicated to expanding her skill set and knowledge. She is particularly interested in applying machine learning technologies in Electrical Engineering. Outside of her academic pursuits, Zaheen loves to travel and explore new places, constantly seeking new experiences and insights. Her enthusiasm for technological innovation and global exploration drives her personal and professional endeavors.
Research: TBD
Junwoo “Jay” Jang
Spring 2026 – present
Bio: Jay is a doctoral student in Electrical Engineering at Texas State University. He completed his education through high school in South Korea, where he developed his academic foundation, before beginning his studies in the United States. During his studies in the U.S., he completed a Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, after his undergraduate studies in CS at Texas Tech University.
This interdisciplinary background shapes his current research at the intersection of computer science and electrical engineering. His research interests focus on ML–accelerated modeling and reliability analysis of ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) heterogeneous integration, lifetime-aware reinforcement learning for UWBG power device operation, and data-centric infrastructure and analytics for UWBG heterogeneous systems.
Beyond his research, Jay enjoys learning new languages and exploring diverse cultures, with a strong interest in how technological advancement differs across nations.
Research: TBD
MS Thesis Students
Md Masrur Hossain Rakin
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Md Masrur Hossain Rakin is a Master of Science candidate in Electrical Engineering at the Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, beginning his studies in Fall 2024. His research interests lie at the intersection of machine learning and electrical engineering, with a particular focus on applying Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to semiconductor and electrical materials science. He is committed to advancing knowledge in computational modeling and intelligent systems for next-generation electronic materials. Beyond his academic endeavors, Rakin maintains a strong commitment to continuous learning and to pursuing innovative ideas that bridge theory and practice in engineering.
Research: Deep Learning Physics-Informed NN in UWBG
Erich Ellsworth
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Erich Scott Ellsworth is a graduate student at the Ingram School of Engineering, where he is pursuing a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in Spring 2024. His research and publications cover machine learning at the edge, the Internet of Things (IoT), and radar systems. He is currently focused on advancing the practical application of machine learning in edge environments. Outside of academics, he enjoys amateur radio, working on cars, and exploring state parks.
Project: Reinforcement Learning Agent Design for Autonomous Rover Navigation
Md Sakif Uddin Khan
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Md Sakif Uddin Khan (SAKIF) is a Master’s student in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering at Texas State University, working under Dr. Damian Valles in the High-Performance Engineering (HiPE) research group. His research blends robotics, computer vision, and embedded sensing to develop autonomous systems for precision livestock management. Sakif designs transformer-based vision models that recognize cattle behaviors and environmental cues in real time. He also explores soft-robotic locomotion and energy-efficient designs inspired by nature. His broader goal is to create “ranch-ready” robots that work alongside farmers and turn field data into meaningful insight for smarter, more sustainable agriculture. Beyond agricultural robotics, he has worked on projects in soft robotics, autonomous navigation, and cyber-physical security, and has presented multiple papers at IEEE venues and SFF Symposiums. Outside of academics, he loves playing Video Games on PlayStation and working on cars.
Research: Transformer-Based Vision Classification and Segmentation.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Kevin Castaneda Guerra
Spring 2024 – present
Bio: Kevin Castañeda is a Texas State University sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He enjoys dissecting and comprehending the structural and functional components of objects to gain a deeper insight into their design and functionality. As he embarks on his first research project, he is excited about the learning journey ahead, eager to absorb the intricacies of the research procedures and contribute his creative perspective to the team’s collaborative efforts.
Project: A mobile robot with sensors for animal tracking | 
Nathan Charles
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Nathan Charles is a Texas State University senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He has a strong interest in AI, machine learning, and robotics. He’s an officer in the TXST IEEE student chapter and leverages his robotics background to help new engineers launch their technical careers. As he begins his time with the HiPE Lab, he’s excited to learn more about the research process and contribute to impactful projects.
Project: A mobile robot with sensors for animal tracking |
Utsav Adhikari
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: Utsav Adhikari is a sophomore at Texas State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His interests center on AI and automation, with a strong focus on how emerging technologies can drive innovation. As an officer of the TXST IEEE student chapter, he supports students in the Open Project Space by teaching the fundamentals of microcontroller use and encouraging hands-on exploration. He also serves as an Instructional Assistant in the Department of Physics, supporting students in their learning journey. Utsav is excited to begin his role as a research assistant, where he looks forward to gaining deeper research experience, expanding his technical skills, and contributing to impactful projects.
Project: A mobile robot with sensors for animal tracking |
Javier A. Aristondo-Flores
Fall 2025 – present
Bio: A Computer Science and Physics student researching computational physics and AI at Texas State University and quantum algorithms for finance at KTR Capital.
Project: Semiconductor AI and MD Simulations | 
Ind. Studies / Volunteers
Prashant Panda, IDEA student
Spring 2026 – present
Bio: Prashant Panta is a junior majoring in Computer Science at Texas State University. He currently serves as a High Performance Computing Intern with the Division of Information Technology, where he researches cluster infrastructure upgrades and evaluates computational systems for institutional research needs. His academic interests focus on high-performance computing and systems research, and he is pursuing independent study work while learning to operate the Texas State LEAP2 cluster.
Beyond his technical roles, Prashant is actively involved in student leadership and community engagement. He serves as a Presidential Ambassador in the Gold Star Society and as Director of Community Outreach in Student Government. He also works as a Student IT Assistant for the Vice President of Information Technology, contributing to technical operations and supporting institutional projects. His work reflects a strong commitment to leveraging technology and leadership to create meaningful impact both within research infrastructure and campus life.
Project: HPC Benchmarking Modeling
Kerrie Means
Spring 2026 – present
Bio: In construction.
Project: AI Emotion Recognition
Kerrie’s Page
