August ’25 ASPIRE Student Section
Welcome to our ASPIRE Student Newsletter!
In this section we share upcoming events, celebrate student successes, and highlight their research and hard work. Check out our ASPIRE students’ most recent accomplishments!
Upcoming Dates & Events: ASPIRE Council of Presidents Applications Open
Just a reminder that ASPIRE is streamlining student leadership positions by combining the ASA and SLC. The President and Vice President of each ASA will be considered Student Leaders in ASPIRE and unlock special access to leadership trainings and skills like the cohort trip and financial incentives.
Applications are currently open at most campuses; reach out to your campus director for more details!
Event Highlights: REU Symposium
On July 30, this year’s 6 participants from the ASPIRE Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) presented at the REU Symposium. The REU program allows students from non-ASPIRE campuses to work with an ASPIRE faculty mentor on a summer research project. At the event, the students presented and fielded questions about their exciting research and findings to ASPIRE students, faculty, and staff. It was a fascinating event, where everyone had the opportunity to learn.
Meet the students behind the research:
Sofiia Goncharuk
Degree Type: Bachelor of Engineering
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
ASPIRE Projects: I am working on designing passive thermal management systems for high power wireless EV charging stations.
Graduation Date: Spring 2028
Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Ukraine, where swam and even participated in national championships. I also played the bandura – Ukrainian national instrument, and I was singing and playing it in ensemble. Right now, I am still trying to stay active by going to the gym, hiking and swimming at the beach.
Aaron Paddy
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science
Discipline: Computer Science
ASPIRE Projects: I am working on building a simulation framework for Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) for electric vehicles.
Graduation Date: May 2028
Fun Fact: I am a self-proclaimed professional noodle taster. Ramen, spaghetti — you name it.
Scott Nguy
Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
Discipline: Political Science
ASPIRE Projects: I am currently working on a project that analyzes the effectiveness of EV charger policies in California. In each county, I study the different policies of EV charger implementation (approval and installation) that goes into the rollout of EV charger stations for both residential owners and businesses.
Graduation Date: 2025
Fun Fact: I have an interest in engineering and government. I am also from Orange County, California.
Angel Antayhua-Reynoso
Degree Type: Bachelor of Science
Discipline: Computer Science
ASPIRE Projects: Systems of Systems, Modeling Evacuation Routes. I have also analyzed and studied research from the WUI and how wildfires play a role in EVs.
Graduation Date: December 2025
Fun Fact: I love exploring. I love traveling. I have interned abroad; I have studied abroad. And overall, I love learning. I love experiencing things and anything new. I know Spanish, I know German, and I want to learn even more languages as well.
Asher Arshia Shams
Degree Type: Associate, but transferring to get a Bachelor Degree
Discipline: Electrical Engineering
ASPIRE Projects: A Machine-learning-based Approach for Power Profile Modeling of Large-scale DWPT System with Autonomous Drive Vehicles
Graduation Date: May 2026 from Cabrillo College, but I will transfer to one of the UC campuses in California for pursuing my Bachelors. So I will graduate from a 4-year university in May 2028.
Fun Fact: I’m both a PLECS fan and a coffee enthusiast, why? Because Circuit Simulations go faster with caffeine!
Ava Watson
Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
Discipline: Political Science: International Relations
ASPIRE Projects: I have been working on analyzing survey data taken from residents of the Greater West Lafayette, aiming to look at how political party affiliation and voter ID could possibly affect perceptions of EV and Electrified Transportation Systems.
Graduation Date: June 2027
Fun Fact: I am a nature and wildlife photographer!
| Student | Institution | Major | Research Project Title | REU Faculty Mentor |
| Aaron Paddy | Grambling State University | Computer Science | Simulating Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer in Urban Environments Using CARLA | Mario Harper |
| Scott Nguy | University of California Riverside | Political Science | EV Charger Station Policies and their Effectiveness in California | Shan Zhou |
| Sofiia Goncharuk | Stevens Institue of Technology | Mechanical Engineering | Dynamic PCM-Based System for Passive Thermal Management in High-Powered EV Wireless Charging Stations | Hailei Wang |
| Ava Watson | University of California Riverside | Political Science Administrative Studies | Exploring Political and Socioeconomic Dimensions of Public Perception on Electrified Transportation Technology in Greater Lafayette, Indiana | Brandon Allen & Chiara Cervini |
| Angel Antayhua-Reynoso | George Mason University | Computer Science | EV Adoption and Infrastructure Under High Wildfire Risk in the Wildland-Urband Interface (WUI) and During Wildfire Evacuation | Sarah Grajdura |
| Asher Arshia Shams | Cabrillo College | Electrical Engineering | Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Power and Efficiency in Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles | Hongjie Wang |
Student Highlights
Zainab Imran
Degree Type: PhD
Discipline: Electrical & Computer Engineering
ASPIRE Project:
- Electrified Roadways: INDOT 3-phase 230 kW DWPT Pilot
- Systems of Systems: Open-source Electrified Roadway Dynamic Simulation Tool
- Associated Project: MDHD Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Project
Graduation Date: May 2027
Fun fact: I enjoy the thrill of adventure, travel, and exploring new places, but also find the deepest comfort in hosting and cooking for those I love.
Isaac Abram
Degree Type: PhD
Discipline: Electrical Engineering
ASPIRE Project: INDOT x Purdue DWPT Project
Graduation Date: Spring 2028
Fun Fact: I placed 9th nationally at the 2018 North American School Scrabble Championships.
Alvaro Garcia
Degree Type: Masters
Discipline: Financial Economics
ASPIRE Projects: Innovation Analyst (Previously) | Marketing & Communications (Current)
Graduation Date: December 2025
Fun Fact: I went paddleboarding for the first time on May 31st!