Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Degree Program: Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Undergraduate Institution: Birla Institute of Technology And Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa, India
Faculty Advisor: Yu Zhang
“The proximity of UC Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley and the beauty of this region was a huge draw, as well as the talented people here. I was also attracted to Baskin Engineering’s value of developing innovation for social good.”
Shourya Bose is completing his last year as an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student and is one of three recipients of the Dissertation-year Fellowship. Drawn to Baskin Engineering for its proximity to Silicon Valley and focus on innovation for social good, Bose’s research applies machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize power grids. Advised by Assistant Professor Yu Zhang, Bose aims to pursue a technical role in the energy or software industry after graduating.
Why did you choose to study at Baskin Engineering?
Since childhood, I’d heard a lot about the Bay Area and Silicon Valley and how the area shapes trends in digital technology across the world. The proximity of UC Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley and the beauty of this region was a huge draw, as well as the talented people here. I was also attracted to Baskin Engineering’s value of developing innovation for social good. Before applying, I reached out to Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Yu Zhang because I felt my experience and skills were a good match for his research applying machine learning to electric grid operations. Zhang encouraged me to apply for the electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. program, and once I was accepted, he became my advisor.
Tell us about the research you are working on right now.
I’m working on applying machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to electric grid operations. While most people think of AI in relation to recent advances in large language models and image-generation software, there is enormous potential for AI to streamline power delivery to homes and businesses. Climate change is being addressed by integrating large-scale intermittent renewables like solar and wind into the electric grid and the demand for power is going to significantly increase with the transition to electric vehicles. In this context, maintaining the stability of the grid will require a balancing act, and AI is a leading candidate for this technical challenge. My research in this domain includes using ML and AI for demand forecasting, optimization, and restorative operations in the grid.
What is the Baskin Engineering Dissertation-year Fellowship? How will this fellowship help support you?
The Dissertation-year Fellowship provides a stipend of $30,000 and covers tuition fees for Ph.D. scholars over their final year of research. There are only three awardees each year, who are selected on the basis of their research progress as well as contributions to UCSC and the broader academic community. I am extremely grateful to receive this fellowship because it allows me to focus on producing high-quality research and creating my dissertation in my fifth year.
What would you like to do after you complete your Ph.D.?
My research is fundamentally interdisciplinary, and while I’m primarily focused on electric power systems, I’ve also gained skills in ML/AI on par with any graduate student in a specialized ML/AI program. My goal is to put these skills to good use in a technical industry role, either in the energy or software industry.
What advice would you give graduate students interested in a similar path?
I encourage graduate students to engage in research experiences, specifically hands-on experimentation. The highs and lows of discovering new things through experimentation is something that can’t be replicated in a classroom setting. One of my biggest takeaways from engaging in interdisciplinary research is the importance of being open to implementing ideas in different platforms and programming languages. I encourage students in electrical engineering to apply ML/AI to see if it can help accelerate the algorithms learned in class or performed in a lab — this will be a growing trend in the future.
What do you like to do outside of academia?
I enjoy biking around the UCSC campus, playing ultimate frisbee, and watching soccer with friends. I’ve also learned more about cooking by following online videos!
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