SMARTS Research Lab
Sustainable Mobility Analytics & Revolutionary Technology Solutions
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader!"
- John Quincy Adams
I am a self-motivated, independent and passionate researcher with leadership skills in critical situations and diverse environments. I have been seeking to further develop my leadership skills through campus involvement, improve my perspective and boost my knowledge in my field of study. I believe in the importance of teamwork and enjoy working with others. I value the innovative ideas and enthusiasm that come from diverse groups of people. My leadership skills were recognized on regional and national levels with three awards: '100+ Women Strong Graduate Leadership Award' and the 'INFORMS Student Chapter Annual Award' in 2017 (Cum laude) and 2018 (Summa cum laude).
As a woman in engineering, I believe in empowering and advancing women and minorities in STEM fields. My aim is to help them to believe in themselves and pursue higher education as I have done. I believe my sense of teamwork, strong academic background, integrity, and ability to put in sustained quality effort uniquely qualifies me to do so.
Professional Service
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) Student Chapter
President | June 2016 - present
Vice-president | June 2015 - May 2016
As a Ph.D. student in Industrial and Systems Engineering with the research concentration in Operations Research, I thoroughly enjoyed being active in INFORMS as a member. I served as the president of INFORMS Student Chapter at Auburn University (AU) from 2016 to 2018 and its VP from 2015 to 2016. In recognition of outstanding participation and performance, we received the INFORMS Student Chapter Annual Award two years in a row in 2017 (Cum laude) and 2018 (Summa cum laude).
Visiting Kia production line with members
Social coffee hour with members and faculty to make a friendly environment for the members to talk with faculty and also to announce upcoming events
Introducing the optimization concept to middle school female students using fun games
Visiting Kia production line with members
As the president of INFORMS Student Chapter, I have been enjoying to work with diverse groups both inside and outside of the university. The academic years 2016 - 2018 was the most active years of the chapter, and we were honored to receive the two national awards for our outstanding performance. The chapter achieved significant accomplishments such as managing several general meetings to introduce the organization to new members, organizing three guest speaker series, three workshop, three social events, a graduate research presentation session, two factory tour to Kia, providing a full fellowship for eight PhD students to participate at INFORMS Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN and Houston TX, and collaborating on three events to introduce the concept of optimization to elementary, middle and high school students using fun scientific activities. A report about our chapter was published in OR/MS Tomorrow Spring/Summer 2017. INFORMS Chapter at AU established in 2014, and the aim is to foster a sense of community among students in operations research, management science, and analytics, promote the exchange of ideas, mentor students, and make connections between students and professionals in industry and academia. For more information about our chapter's activities and accomplishments, please visit:
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Active member & event coordinator | Spring 2015 - present
WISE celebrated International Women's Day with graduate women in science and engineering disciplines in Spring 2017.
I participated Women's Leadership Workshop at Auburn University in Fall 2016.
Kids aged 5-10 learning about STEM. Our student organization conducted a fun game for them to learn about optimization.
WISE celebrated International Women's Day with graduate women in science and engineering disciplines in Spring 2017.
As an incoming international graduate student to a new environment, I wanted to get involved in campus activities and learn new skills. I have participated in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) monthly luncheon since the first semester at Auburn University. These meetings have been an excellent opportunity for me to meet other graduate female students in different science and engineering disciplines, communicate with them, learn about student volunteer activities on campus, and leadership workshops and conferences, especially for female students.
I collaborated with WISE in three events: Jr. Mad Scientist, STEM Discovery Day in Fall 2016, and Pi Day event in Spring 2017. I came up with fun games to teach optimization concept to elementary /middle/high school students in theses three events.
I also participated in two leadership conferences and a leadership workshop for international students on campus. Being a part of this team strengthened my collaborative and communication skills as well as my leadership skills. These volunteer activities helped me realized I would best be suited to work in diverse environments, and I would like to become an inspiring and compassionate mentor.
Graduate Student Council (GSC)
ISE department senator | June 2017 - present
I was fortunate enough to take part in several organizations that have helped me to foster a deep appreciation for the power of diversity. I have a zest for exploration and learning, look for improving and making things better, and inspire others to do great things. Being a part of Graduate Student Council (GSC) as one of the senators of Industrial and Systems Engineering department has made me able to prosper my desire to tackle challenges, care about others and help them with their concerns. My responsibilities in GSC mostly include listening to ISE students' problems, concerns, and suggestions and being their voice in related sub committees of graduate school. These responsibilities help me improve my skills about being passionate in listening to people and negotiating/communicating properly with others to solve their problems.
Council of Engineering Graduate Students (CEGS)
Active member & event coordinator | Spring 2015 - present
Council of Engineering Graduate Students (CEGS) gather talented, innovative, and hard-working engineering students together to create a decent environment for them to show their research and innovations. The events include Distinguished Engineering Graduate Student Seminar series, Graduate Engineering Research Showcase, Academic Discussion Panels, and several social events.
As a member, I have been helping CEGS with different events. I also presented my recent research in Graduate Engineering Research Showcase in Fall 2016.
Presenting my research at Graduate Engineering Research Showcase, Fall 2016. Left: Dr. Vinel, my Ph.D. adviser.
Iranian Students Association (IRSA)
Active member & event coordinator | Spring 2015 - present
Each year Iranian Students Association holds a friendship barbeque and invites all the Auburn University students, faculty and their families to participate in this event, and build a friendly environment to learn about different cultures.
Each year Auburn University host the peace dinner event. In this event, students from different countries present their classic food.
IRSA music group performs in different events each year to introduce the classical persian music to students and faculty members.
Each year Iranian Students Association holds a friendship barbeque and invites all the Auburn University students, faculty and their families to participate in this event, and build a friendly environment to learn about different cultures.
Being a part of a high functioning team like Iranian Student Association (IRSA) with multiple missions and goals has helped me to experience a high level of teamwork and a sense of accomplishment.
IRSA aims to introduce the friendship, compassion, and fascinating culture of Iran and Iranians and emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. As an active member, I have been helping IRSA with a wide variety of social events such as Peace Dinner, Friendship Barbeque, 80 Bites Around the World, Cultural Music Festival, and Persian New Year and Yalda Night celebrations. Also, we help new incoming Iranian students to settle down.