August ’25 ASPIRE Student Talents
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!
Event Highlights
ASPIRE Innovation Trip
On June 25, ASPIRE students from Utah State University attended an Industry & Innovation Trip, exploring four main sectors of the industry ecosystem: potential Industry and Innovation Board members, government representatives, current IIB members, and key stakeholders.
“Once a year in the summer, I take innovation analysts and other ASPIRE students to visit prospective and current members and stakeholders,” said Don Linford, director of innovation. “It helps them understand the local innovation ecosystem and the impact of their work.”
Students toured Lion Energy, Kenworth Sales Co., and Stadler US, and joined a lunch & learn with former Utah legislator and current ASPIRE director of community partnerships Jennifer Seelig. These visits highlighted a variety of career and internship opportunities. “My favorite part about the trip was getting exposure to more careers in the industry,” said engineering student Kade Wilson. “It was really cool to see how I can take my career anywhere.”
For undergraduate analyst Annie Walpole, the trip reinforced how ASPIRE’s work fits into the larger industry. “I came away with a stronger sense of how critical our research is and how vital our relationships with industry partners are in advancing electrification and driving impact.”
The trip gave students valuable insight into the challenges, innovations, and connections shaping the industry—and ASPIRE’s role within it.
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
University: Stevens Institute of Technology
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
University: Grambling State University
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
University: University of California Riverside
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
University: George Mason University
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
University: Cabrillo College
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
University: University of California Riverside
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 Highlights
Jackson Morgan
Meet Jackson Morgan, a PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering at Utah State University, whose research with Industry Member Rocky Mountain Power is helping optimize the grid for our electrified future.
See how he’s advancing energy efficiency and EV readiness.
Daniel Ashby
Daniel Ashby recently graduated in Mechanical Engineering and Computational Mathematics from Utah State University, where his work with ASPIRE helped develop a 1 Megawatt Charging System for upcoming deployments.
See how he’s advancing charging technology and student-driven innovation.
Zainab Imran
University: Purdue
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
University: Purdue
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
University: USU
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!