Unlocking the Bigger Picture: ASPIRE Student Cohort Trip Participants Discover the Broader Fields of Electrification

Student researchers at ASPIRE are diving deep to understand complex technology and find efficient solutions to pave the way to an electrified future. These efforts are part of a global push to leave the earth better for future generations, though it can be easy to lose sight of the global impact and systems that relate to highly specified technical research.  But by visiting industry members in Washington, D.C., and Utah as part of the annual student cohort trip, 12 students from across ASPIRE’s campuses got to explore the possibilities in a new light. 

“My favorite part was meeting with industry leaders and policymakers and seeing how research turns into real-world impact,” said Ali Tasavvori, and electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Utah. “This trip gave me a broader understanding of the energy and transportation sectors and helped clarify my career interests. It also showed me how research connects to real-world challenges and opportunities.” 

Alisia Smith, an electrical engineering student from Utah State University, agreed.  

“I enjoyed visiting the capital city of the United States. It is very different from any city I’ve seen before, and it was fascinating to experience the culture and history there,” she added. “Business practices, networking, and policy making are all important factors in the work that engineering is striving to achieve.” 

These students — with majors ranging from applied economics to education to various specializations of engineering — came together to represent five of the 10 ASPIRE universities. 

“This trip gave me a much clearer understanding of how innovation moves from research concepts to real-world implementation,” said University of Utah master’s student Shakiba Sedigh. “By meeting with industry leaders, policymakers, utilities, and other stakeholders, I gained a better appreciation for the technical, economic, and regulatory factors that influence the adoption of new technologies.” 

Policymakers in Engineering 

The highlight for several of the students, including Utah State University student Whitney Walpole, was the opportunity to meet with actual senators, congressmembers, and their staff, to better understand the impact of federal policies and funding on their research. 

“My favorite part of the trip was being able to experience first-hand how the government works and realize the effort the legislatures and congressmembers put into making this country the best it can be,” said Walpole, who will graduate with her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in Spring 2027. “Now, I want to be more involved in my local government.” 

With each meeting, the students had the opportunity to ask questions — about the process it takes to pass a federal law, about the focus and efforts of current policymakers, and about how their research is a part of a nationwide effort to improve Americans’ quality of life. 

“What surprised me the most was how accessible and willing industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals were to share their experiences and answer our questions,” shared Kiana Haghjoo, a civil engineering Ph.D. student from the University of Texas at El Paso. “I did not expect to have so many opportunities to interact directly with people who are shaping the future of transportation and infrastructure.” 

Over lunch, the group learned more about the behind-the-scenes efforts via the Bennett Group DC, experts in government relations, with members who specialize in the energy field and know how to present research in a way that is applicable and noteworthy to both Congress and the general public. 

“My favorite part of the trip was meeting with the Bennett Group and learning how the policy process works behind the scenes,” shared USU student Arumoy Biswas. “As an economics Ph.D. student, I found it fascinating to understand how research and policy ideas are communicated to decision-makers and eventually translated into real-world actions.” 

From Policy to Practice: The Role of Industry 

After discovering first-hand what the policy-side of engineering works, students dove into the Q&As and tours with industry members, including several in Utah who have partnered with ASPIRE on past projects and research. 

“What stood out to me was the opportunity to see how concepts we study are applied in real-world settings. For example, at PII and Torus, I was able to understand how engineering design, grid limitations, and economic considerations all interact in building energy systems. At High Valley Transit, I appreciated the honest discussion about operational challenges, which highlighted the gap between technological expectations and day-to-day realities,” shared Foeday Zinnah, an engineering education Ph.D. student at USU. “These experiences made learning much more tangible and helped me better understand how complex and practical decision-making is in this field.” 

While touring these facilities, students recognized overlap between their research and barriers that the industry members were solving, discovering a multitude of pathways that they can take their future career. 

Another highlight was meeting with representatives from Utah’s Nucleus Institute, where students learned more about grant applications — how to bridge gaps between funding opportunities, innovation research, and industry standards and much needed skills. 

“Nucleus talked a lot about how to leverage policy — how to find support from existing policies and federal departments or other agencies,” shared Purdue University Ph.D. Student Tongfei Liu, who is studying civil engineering. “I think this kind of flexible thinking is really important. They also shared a lot about the steps and considerations involved in applying technology, which is very helpful for translating research into practice and for my future career planning.” 

These visits were beneficial for students and industry members alike, as students learned real-world applications for their studies and industry leaders were able to influence and support the next generation of professionals. 

Building Skills for Future Careers 

Throughout the trip, whether it be to policymakers, industry leaders, or other electrification stakeholders, these of communication and collaboration were repeatedly emphasized. The focus on communication resonated with civil and construction engineering Ph.D. student Oscar Moncada, from Purdue University, who plans to implement them into his work at ASPIRE and beyond as he pursues his career. 

“This trip reinforced something I already believed but now understand with much greater depth: technical excellence without communication is incomplete,” Moncada stated. “The ability to translate complex research into language that resonates with a non-technical audience, including one that may be politically skeptical of the work, is not a soft skill. It is a core professional competency.” 

In addition to the value of communication, collaboration was also repeatedly mentioned as an important skill in the workforce. The trip proved to be an excellent opportunity for the students to work together to lead and share their research as they networked with policymakers, industry leaders, and each other.  

“I met people from different ASPIRE universities who can be future collaborators, and I met industry partners that I will definitely want to work with and solve their problems with my research,” shared Ph.D. student Zhiheng Wang, a computer science student from the University of Colorado Boulder.   

For Nathan Hunter, a Utah State University student studying mechanical engineering, these conversations and networking experiences furthered his learning and solidified his decision to pursue a career in this industry.  

“I loved talking to everyone and asking all my questions. I really think I have learned more in this week than I could have in a semester,” Hunter explained. “I wanted to network. I got a comprehensive out-of-the-classroom learning experience that was incredibly valuable.” 

A special thank you to the industry members who hosted our students: NASEO, Electrify America, Bennett Group DC, Power Innovations International, Nucleus Institute, 47 G, Torus, Stadler, and High Valley Transit.

For the latest news, publications, and research highlights from ASPIRE, visit aspire.usu.edu. 

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development at the transportation-grid edge. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing costs, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation-grid systems. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Kat Webb
Content Director
Marketing & Communications 
ASPIRE ERC  

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC