Wayne State engineering Ph.D. students honored with Kummler Awards for research excellence
Four exceptional doctoral students in the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering are recipients of the 2025 Ralph H. Kummler Award for Distinguished Achievement in Graduate Student Research. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding scholarly accomplishments and leadership in graduate education at Wayne State University. Each recipient has made significant contributions to their field and demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement.
Muhammad Osama
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Gbemeho Agbaglah, Ph.D.
Dissertation: Instabilities and Breakup of Liquid-Gas Threads: From Gas Filaments to Droplets and Liquid Sheets
Osama’s research tackles a fundamental challenge in fluid mechanics with wide-reaching applications: how liquid fuel films break up into droplets under the influence of high-speed gas flows. His work merges precision experimentation with advanced numerical modeling to unravel the complex dynamics of atomization — a process vital to efficient fuel combustion in military aircraft, drones and advanced propulsion systems.
“My research aims to improve our understanding of fuel breakup and spray formation, which directly impacts how we design cleaner and more efficient combustion engines,” said Osama. “We’re bridging the gap between theory and practice to support lean combustion in next-generation aerospace systems.”
He combines high-speed imaging and phase Doppler interferometry with numerical simulations using Basilisk, an advanced open-source computational fluid dynamics tool. His work has revealed important relationships between gas flow characteristics and droplet formation, enabling predictive models for spray distribution that are validated by experiment. In addition to aerospace applications, his insights also inform studies of ocean spray and its influence on air-sea interactions, including hurricane development.
“Osama has shown exceptional dedication in integrating experimental and computational techniques,” said Agbaglah. “His work advances both our theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities in fluid dynamics and atomization.”
Sanaz Rabinia
Department of Computer Science
Advisor: Daniel Grosu, Ph.D.
Dissertation: Data Sharing-Aware Task Allocation Algorithms in Edge Computing Systems
Rabinia’s doctoral research addresses a critical challenge in edge computing: how to efficiently allocate computing tasks while minimizing network traffic and server usage. Her innovative solution introduces data sharing-aware algorithms — designed to recognize when multiple tasks require the same data and optimize their placement accordingly. These contributions significantly improve performance in edge computing systems, with her algorithms reducing network load by up to 92% and server usage by more than 80% compared to traditional approaches.
“I was drawn to edge computing because of its real-world impact and the opportunity to apply mathematical theory to emerging technologies,” said Rabinia. “Designing algorithms that account for data sharing not only improves performance but also makes these systems more sustainable and scalable.”
Her work has been recognized with numerous accolades, including an honorable mention for the 2024 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award. She has presented at top-tier conferences such as IEEE EDGE and CCGrid and has published in leading journals, including the IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems. In addition to her research, she has demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentorship, serving as instructor of record for advanced undergraduate courses and participating in national research initiatives supporting women in computing.
“Sanaz is one of the best Ph.D. students in our department,” said Grosu. “She’s a prolific and passionate researcher who is making groundbreaking contributions to edge computing and algorithm design. Her work not only pushes the boundaries of theory — it’s ready for real-world impact.”
Keshav Kasturi Rangan
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Advisor: Helen Durand, Ph.D.
Dissertation: Handling Emerging Sources of Non-Determinism: Proportional Control with Quantum Noise, and Lyapunov-Based Economic Model Predictive Control to Address Stability and Profitability of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems Under Cyberattack
Rangan’s doctoral work lies at the intersection of process control, cybersecurity and quantum computing — three fields poised to shape the future of manufacturing and automation. His research explores how cyberattacks affect control systems and how quantum computing could be leveraged to implement resilient control strategies in next-generation industrial systems. Through nine first-author publications, invited talks and national conference presentations, Rangan has made meaningful contributions to both theoretical control frameworks and their practical applications.
“My goal has always been to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world industrial challenges,” said Rangan. “Whether it's designing cybersecure algorithms or simulating control systems on quantum computers, I aim to contribute tools that industry can use today — and build toward what they’ll need tomorrow.”
Durand describes his work as “pioneering new directions in implementing control on quantum computers,” noting that his research “brings rigor and theory to bear on improving the security and performance of modern manufacturing systems.” Beyond his research, Rangan has also shown exceptional leadership as president of the department’s graduate student association for nearly three years. During the pandemic, he organized a virtual symposium with the University of Toledo to provide fellow students with much-needed presentation opportunities. He also created instructional videos for undergraduate lab courses and initiated a departmental journal club.
“Keshav is both a servant to the college and an excellent researcher,” Durand said. “He brings infectious positivity, a collaborative spirit and a deep dedication to the scientific community.”
Christopher Roberts
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Advisor: Carolyn Harris, Ph.D.
Dissertation: Computational Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in Ventricular Catheters for Pediatric Hydrocephalus
Roberts is at the forefront of research aimed at improving outcomes for children with hydrocephalus — a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain. Through his pioneering work in computational fluid dynamics, Roberts has developed advanced models that simulate how CSF flows through ventricular catheters. These models incorporate real patient anatomy, surgical trajectories and clinical flow data, offering valuable insights into why shunts fail and how designs can be improved.
“I wanted my research to go beyond the theoretical and directly impact surgical outcomes,” said Roberts. “By collaborating with neurosurgeons and integrating patient-specific data, we can identify where and why these catheters are failing, then use that knowledge to design better treatments.”
Roberts has built an international network of collaborators and established the first computational modeling division within Harris’ lab. His work has earned multiple fellowships and awards, including the Rudi Schulte Research Institute Research Grant and the Norman Guthkelch Early Scientist Award. He has presented keynote talks at international conferences and serves in leadership roles across student organizations and professional societies.
“Chris has an exceptional ability to connect rigorous engineering principles with real clinical needs,” said Harris. “His initiative, independence and deep commitment to translational research make him an invaluable member of our lab — and an ideal recipient of the Kummler Award.”