Director
Karen L. Butler-Purry
Karen Butler-Purry is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies emerita at Texas A&M University. She was Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs in the College of Engineering from 2001-2004 and Associate Department Head in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department from 2008-2010. She received her B.S. (summa cum laude) in Electrical Engineering in 1985 from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was awarded her M.S. degree in 1987 from the University of Texas at Austin and her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1994 from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
During her over 30 years at Texas A&M University, Karen has served at all faculty levels, beginning with an appointment as visiting assistant professor of electrical engineering in 1994. She has received numerous awards in including the 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for efforts to mentor students from underrepresented groups and for leadership in promoting PhD careers for them in electrical engineering and computer sciences. Her research interests are in the areas of computer and intelligent systems application to power distribution systems, distribution automation and management, fault diagnosis, estimation of remaining life of transformers, intelligent reconfiguration, system modeling and simulation for hybrid vehicles, and cyber-physical system security.
Current Graduate Students
Khalid Al-Assaf
His research focuses on power system protection and active distribution systems, contributing to the advancement of modern grid technologies. Khalid finds great fulfillment in teaching and mentoring students. Outside academia, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with friends.
Darius Gray
Outside of work, Darius enjoys spending time with friends, Bible studies, ancient Middle East history, playing trumpet, and sports.
Adel Heidari-Akhijahani
Edwin Tenkorang
His current research focuses on developing cyber-physical testbeds for distribution systems security. Edwin is an avid fan of pickleball and a dedicated multi-genre music connoisseur. In addition, he enjoys mentoring younger researchers and never passes on a mentorship opportunity!
Irfan Ullah
His research focuses on distribution system resiliency, renewable energy integration, and the optimal operation of power distribution systems before and after extreme weather events. Irfan enjoys photography, working out, and playing sports like badminton, pickleball, volleyball, and cricket. He also loves watching and enjoying Aggie sports and is proud to be an Aggie!
Current Undergraduate Students
Daniel Adegbenro
Daniel is a third year undergraduate student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He is very interested in the energy sector and joined the PSAL group in the fall of 2025 to further his knowledge of power systems. Aside from electrical engineering, Daniel enjoys reading and playing soccer.
Alexis Bunta
Alexis is a junior at Texas A&M majoring in electrical engineering who wants to work in the energy/power sector. She is from the greater Houston area (specifically Pearland, TX), and enjoys listening to music, working out, occasionally playing video games, and swimming.
Haorui Li
His research focuses on simulation and analysis of distribution systems, and their optimization by utilizing machine learning techniques. Haorui’s hobbies include fishing, playing and listening to music, and sports.
Juan Lopez
Emmaus Redda
Tanmay Sindhwani
Jacqueline Villanueva
Jackie joined the research group in Spring 2024, and her focus is learning about analyzing the integration of EVs and PVs in power systems. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing fictional stories.
Dylan Yi
His research focuses on simulation and optimization of distribution systems utilizing machine learning and pattern recognition techniques. Dylan’s hobbies include working out, listening to music, and hiking outdoors.
Jayeon Yoon
Brian Zhou
Graduate Student Alumni
| Kumpanat Thongmai (MS, 2024) Thesis: Real-Time Cyber-Physical System Testbed for Studying the Impact of Cyberattacks on Smart Power Distribution Systems |
| Abolaji Olasukan Alimi (MS, 2022) |
| Ogbannaya Bassey (PhD, 2020) Dissertation: Control and Black Start Restoration of Islanded Microgrids |
| Ahmad Abdullah (PhD, 2018) Dissertation: A New Solution for Improving Transmission Line Distance Protection Security during System-Wide Cascading Failure |
| Abhijeet Sahu (MS, 2018) Thesis: Design of Real-Time Simulation Testbed for AMI Network |
| Ammar Aleithan (MS, 2017) Thesis: Investigation of Adaptive Auto-Reclosing for Radial Distribution System with Distributed Energy Resources |
| Bo Chen (PhD, 2017) Dissertation: Black Start Restoration for Electric Distribution Systems and Microgrids |
| Hung-Ming Chou (PhD, 2016) Dissertation: Investigation of voltage stability in three-phase unbalanced distribution systems with DGs |
| Ebony Mayhorn (PhD, 2015) Dissertation: Optimal Coordination of Distributed Energy Resources in Isolated Power Systems: A Cross-Time Scale Perspective |
| Salman Mashayekh (PhD, 2013) Dissertation: An Integrated Security-Constrained Model-Based Dynamic Power Management Approach to Isolated Microgrid Power Systems |
| Milad Falahi (PhD, 2012) Dissertation: Dynamic Reactive Power Control of Isolated Power Systems |
| Fred Agyekum (MS, 2012) Thesis: A Technique To Utilize Smart Meter Load Information For Adapting Overcurrent Protection For Radial Distribution Systems With Distributed Generations |
| Richard Douglin (MS, 2012) Thesis: An Investigation Of The Utilization Of Smart Meter Data To Adapt Overcurrent Protection For Radial Distribution Systems With A High Penetration Of Distributed Generation |
| Xianyong Feng (PhD, 2012) Dissertation: A Bio-Inspired Multi-Agent System Framework For Real-Time Load Management In All-Electric Ship Power Systems |
| Mina Rahimian (PhD, 2011) Dissertation: Broken Bar Detection in Synchronous Machines Based Wind Energy Conversion System |
| Laurence Thomas (MS, 2010) Thesis: Prognostic control and load survivability in shipboard power systems |
| Apoorv Bansal (ME, 2010) |
| Gayatri Damle (ME, 2010) |
| Fabian Uriarte (PhD, 2010) Dissertation: Partitioning Approach for Parallel Simulation of AC Radial Shipboard Power Systems |
| Chu Zhengguo (MS, 2010) Thesis: Simulation and Analysis of Microgrids |
| Hariharan Subramanian (ME, 2009) |
| Tushar Amba (MS, 2009) Thesis: Genetic Algorithm Based Damage Control for Shipboard Power Systems |
| Ayo Akinnikawe (MS, 2008) Thesis: Investigation of Broadband over Power Line Channel Capacity of Shipboard Power System Cables For Ship Communications Networks |
| Hamed Funmilayo (MS, 2008) Thesis: A New Approach to Mitigate the Impact of Distributed Generation on the Overcurrent Protection Scheme of Radial Distribution Feeders |
| Hector Leon (ME, 2007) |
| Mir Mousavi (PhD, 2005) Dissertation: Underground Distribution Cable Incipient Fault Diagnosis System |
| Jun Li (PhD, 2005) Dissertation: Methodology for Designing the Fuzzy Resolver for a Radial Distribution System Fault Locator |
| Li Qi (PhD, 2004) Dissertation: AC System Stability Analysis and Assessment for Shipboard Power Systems |
| Tyesa Harvest (ME, 2004) |
| Sanjeev Srivastava (PhD, 2003) Dissertation: Predictive Reconfiguration of Shipboard Power Systems |
| Adeoti Adediran (PhD, 2003) Dissertation: An Investigation of PEBB-based Shipboard Power Systems |
| Monica Medina (MS, 2003) Thesis: Three Phase Load Flow Analysis for Shipboard Power Systems |
| Hyder Do Carmo (ME, 2002) Thesis: Modeling and Analysis of Naval Power Systems for Transient Studies |
| Ritesh Chaturbedi (MS, 2002) Thesis: Characterization and Detection of Incipient Underground Cable Failures |
| Karthick Manivannan (MS, 2002) Thesis: Fuzzy Logic Based Operated Device Identification in Power Distribution Systems |
| Adedayo Kuforiji (ME, 2001) Thesis: Field Experiments of Incipient Transformer Faults |
| Ujjwal Rajbhandari (MS, 2001) Thesis: Geographic Information Systems for Shipboard Power Systems |
| Zia Rahman (PhD, 2001) Dissertation: An Investigation of Traction Motor Characteristics for Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Application |
| Hang Wang (PhD, 2001) Dissertation: Models for Short Circuit and Incipient Internal Faults in Single-Phase Distribution Transformers |
| Kwame Andoh (MS, 2000) Thesis: A Fault Location Approach for Fuzzy Fault Section Estimation on Radial Distribution Feeders |
| Christopher Richards (MS, 2000) Thesis: Development of a Methodology to Discriminate Incipient Insulator Faults from Distribution System Load |
| Jesus Cardoso (MS, 1999) Thesis: Characterization of Underground Cable Incipient Failures from On-Line Monitoring of Underground Distribution Power Systems |
| Shafia Kausar (MS, 1999) Thesis: Development of a Simulation Model for Analysis of MPOA and Lane Networks |
| Yan Jin (ME, 1999) Thesis: Designed software for monitoring and processing data in a real-time fashion |
| Matthew Hammond (ME, 1999) Thesis: Designed and developed filter hardware for a data monitoring system |
| Peter Palmer-Buckle (MS, 1998) Thesis: A Methodology for Experimentally Verifying Simulation Models for Distributions Transformer Internal Faults |
| Shahriar Khan (PhD, 1997) Dissertation: Failure Characterization of Distribution Insulators and New Methods of Predictive Maintenance |
| Michaela S. Bradley, (ME, 1997) Thesis: The Effects of Deregulation on Procurement of Electricity in the United States Navy |
| Kenneth M. Stevens (MS, 1996) Thesis: A Versatile Computer Model for the Design and Analysis of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles |
Back to Top
Undergraduate Student Alumni
| Jesus Cardoso, Engineering Undergraduate Summer Research Grant {USRG} Program, Research Project Funding |
| Elizabeth Ramirez, NSF Research Careers for Minority Scholars (RCMS), University Undergraduate Research Fellows Program |
| Zulema Belyeu, NSF RCMS, Research Project funding |
| Willie Johnson, NSF RCMS, Research Project funding |
| Kimberly Brown, Research Project funding |
| Antoinette Cleveland |
| Javian Duncan |
| Dennis King |
| Curtis Edwards |
| Barry Garrison, Texas Alliance for Minority Participation (TX LS-AMP), Research Project funding |
| Monica Medina, Research Project funding |
| Cuong Phan, Research Project funding |
| Kenneth McBurnett, Research Project funding |
| Christopher Richards, Research Project funding |
| Michael Skowronek, Michigan Tech, USRG |
| Tyesa Harvest, Univ. of Ill.-Chicago, USRG |
| Chibuke Nwaokelemeh, University of Houston, USRG |
| Jessica Thompson, EE Undergraduate Research Program, Research Project funding |
| Torrey Thompson, Research Project funding |
| Jamie Kautz, Research Project funding |
| Krystal Moore, Research Project funding |
| Anand Chawla, USRG |
| Jaideep Jhangiani, USRG |
| Elva Morena |
| Modupe Ajibola, Research Project funding |
| Ray Peynado, Research Project funding |
| Prajumna Kuchukulla, Research Project funding |
| Orin Moore, Rice University, Research Project funding |
| Marino Herrera, USRG, Research Project Funding |
| Barbara Patricia Teixeirce Palege Jasse, Research Project funding |
| Andre Williams, NSF REU Supplement |
| Thomas Tamez, NSF REU Supplement |
| Gaurav Garg, 2003 EE Undergraduate Research Program, Research Project funding |
| Daniel Limbrick, 2003 EE Undergraduate Research Program, Research Project funding |
| Robert Davidson, USRG |
| William Spooner, USRG, Research Project Funding |
| Emily White, 2004 EE Undergraduate Research Program |
| Haydee de Leon, 2004 EE Undergraduate Research Program |
| Xujia Zhang, USRG, Research Project Funding, 2005 ECE Undergraduate Research Program, 2005–06 University Fellow |
| Arthur Gonzalez, TAMU-Kingsville, TAMU LS-AMP |
| Francisco Perez, University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, 2004 NSF/DOD REU |
| Janice Mendoza, Santa Clara University, 2004 NSF/DOD REU |
| Jillian Oliguin, Research Project funding |
| Thomas Archer, Research Project Funding |
| Eddie Zuniga, NSF REU Supplement |
| K’Aura Lyons, Prairie View A&M, Fall 2004/Spring 2005 TAMUS LSAMP |
| Richard Tate, Prairie View A&M, Fall 2004/Spring 2005 NSF REU Supplement |
| Dor Anis, 2005 EE Undergraduate Research Program |
| Katrina Mansfield, Morgan State University, 2005 NSF/DOD REU Site |
| David McQuiller, Prairie View A&M University, 2005 NSF/DOD REU Site |
| Brenda Martinez, TAMU, 2006 NSF/DOD REU site |
| Derek Grant, TAMU, Research project funding, Fall 2006 |
| Spencer Cureton, TAMU, Research project funding, Spring 2007; Summer 2007 NSF/DOD REU Site |
| Tutu Ajayi, TAMU, Research project funding, Spring and Fall 2007; COE USRG funding summer 2007 |
| Candace Akers, Prairie View A&M University, 2007 NSF REU Site |
| Dan Richardson, Prairie View A&M University, 2007 NSF REU Site |
| Malcolm Brown, Prairie View A&M University, 2007 NSF REU Site |
| Emmanuel Merced, University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, 2008 NSF REU Site |
| Ying-Chieh Chuang, Ohio State University, 2008 NSF REU Site |
| Freddy Gan, TAMU, Research project funding, Summer and Fall 2008 |
| Alejandro Alalicea-Contreras, Polytechnic University, Puerto Rico, 2009 NSF REU Site |
| Mattie Collins-Wood, Norfolk State University, 2009 NSF REU Site |
| Nicholas Jones, Purdue University, 2010 NSF REU Site |
| Travis Lacour, Texas A&M University, 2010 NSF REU Site and TAMUS LSAMP Program |
| Coreth Borneman, Alfred University, 2011 NSF REU Site |
| Monica Duran, North Lake College, 2011 NSF REU Site |
| Sruti Nuthalapati, University of Texas at Austin, 2013 NSF REU Site |
| Fabrício Ribeiro, Federal University of Itajuba, Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP), Summer 2014 |
| Ibukun Folarin, Texas A&M University, September 2015–2016 |
Visiting Scholars & Postdocs
| Name | Program & Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Omar Anabtawi | Texas A&M Qatar | Summer 2025 |
| Abdullah Al-Mallah | Texas A&M Qatar | Summer 2025 |
| Sijia (Archer) Liu | Chinese Scholarship Program | 2008-2010 |
| Fabrício Ribeiro | Federal University of Itajuba, Itajuba, Brazil, Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) | Summer 2014 |
| Mohammad AlMuhaini | Assistant Professor, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, International Summer Scholarly Program | Summer 2015 |
| Dr. Fabian Marcel Uriarte | 2010 | |
| Dr. NDR Sarma | 2000-2006 | |
| Dr. Mustafa Bagriyanik | Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University | 2002-2004 |