The University of Alabama Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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?? Student of the Week: Peyton Doucette ?? Meet Peyton Doucette, an outstanding Electrical & Computer Engineering student with a passion for robotics, microcontrollers, and innovation! ?? ?? Favorite Class: Microcomputers with Dr. Freeborn "It was so cool to implement both sides of the software-hardware equation to solve problems. This class sparked my interest in embedded systems!" ?? Dream Innovation: A robotics platform capable of performing surgery autonomously ?? "This technology would be game-changing for public health!" ?? Biggest Inspiration: NASA’s Perseverance Rover "The idea that we shipped a 10-foot-long, 2200-pound nuclear-powered robot to Mars blows my mind! The rover’s ability to analyze Mars' surface for 14 years is incredible." ?? Advice to Fellow Students: "Surround yourself with people who are just as passionate as you are. Being around highly motivated people will push you to be better." ?? Surprising Discovery in ECE: "The complexity of modern microcontrollers is insane given how cheap they are. Semiconductor manufacturing has come such a long way!" ?? Dream Job: "Working for a startup in the robotics or autonomous vehicle industry—computer vision and robotic control systems are my passion." ?? Favorite Spot in Tuscaloosa: UA Rec Center ??? "Hitting the weight room is a great way to stay active and blow off steam!" ?? Go-To Snack: Oats with peanut butter protein powder & frozen berries ?? ?? Advice to My Younger Self: Get your sleep schedule in check! Everything is easier when you're well-rested. Give Peyton a shout-out for being an incredible part of the ECE community! ???? #StudentOfTheWeek #ECEatUA #Innovation #EngineeringExcellence #RollTide

?? Student of the Week ?? Meet Eric Robinson, a passionate Computer Engineering student whose love for the intersection of hardware and software has shaped his academic journey! His favorite courses, including Microcomputers, Digital Systems Design, Computer Architecture, and Embedded Systems, highlight the blend of low-level programming and digital hardware that inspired him to pursue computer engineering. Beyond the classroom, Eric has envisioned creating a smartwatch that uses machine learning to predict strength training failure, utilizing onboard sensors and FPGA acceleration for real-time feedback. This project would combine all the skills he’s learned in his favorite courses to build a practical and innovative product. ??? When asked for advice for incoming students, Eric emphasizes the importance of spacing out hardware and software classes for a more balanced learning experience. He’s grateful to Dr. Drew Taylor and Omid Reyhanigalangashi for their guidance and enthusiasm, making a lasting impact on his education. As for the future? Eric hopes to work at AMD, the company that first sparked his love for computer engineering when he and his father built his first PC at their kitchen table. ????? ?? Favorite Study Spot: Glory Bound ??? Favorite Snack: Microwavable Jamaican Beef Patties ?? Favorite Tech Topic: AI – because of its mysterious and limitless potential His advice to fellow students? “Just be persistent and enjoy the process.” Congrats, Eric! We can’t wait to see where your passion takes you next. ?? ?? #ECE #StudentOfTheWeek #EngineeringExcellence #FutureInnovator #UofA #RollTide

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?? Student of the Week: Simon Colburn ?? This week, we are excited to feature Simon Colburn as our Student of the Week! Simon is a dedicated Computer Engineering student whose passion for hardware, embedded systems, and FPGA development has shaped his academic and professional journey. ?? A Passion for Hands-On Engineering Simon has had an impressive five-year journey at UA, including four co-op terms at ADTRAN in Huntsville, where he worked on LoRa-WAN gateway devices. His love for working at a "low level" with hardware and datasheets led him to Dr. Freeborn's IRES Fractional-Order Research project, where he spent the summer in Brno, Czech Republic—home to a third of the world’s manufactured electron microscopes! ?? Esports, Astrobotics, and More! Beyond academics, Simon has been an integral part of UA's Esports Club, competing in Rainbow 6 Siege for the past five years. He is also the Electrical Lead for Alabama Astrobotics, helping to push the team toward success in robotic innovation. When he's not working on circuits, you can find him playing Magic: The Gathering (Commander format), weightlifting, or exploring the outdoors—a love shaped by his rural Alabama upbringing. ?? Future Plans & Advice for Fellow Students Simon plans to pursue a Master’s degree and continue working in FPGA development, with dreams of working at a tech giant like NVIDIA to improve graphics card technology. He credits Dr. Freeborn as a major influence in his journey, saying, "I wouldn’t be going to graduate school if it wasn’t for the compassion of him and many other faculty who have taken the time to listen and guide me." ? Fun Facts Favorite Coffee Order: Iced caramel macchiato with vanilla sweet cream cold foam & extra caramel drizzle (try it next time you need a caffeine fix!) Favorite Study Spot: The top of parking decks at sunset—nothing beats the orange Alabama sky in spring. Dream Tech Future: A world where we can fully immerse into games and the internet like Ready Player One! ?? Final Thoughts Simon reminds us that in engineering, there are no true “know-it-alls.” He believes that "we are in the technology golden age, and there’s always something new to learn." His dedication to continuous growth, hands-on experience, and love for technology make him a standout member of our ECE community! Congratulations, Simon! ?? #RollTide #ECEProud #StudentOfTheWeek

?? Student of the Week: Alex Wilson ?? Meet Alex Wilson, a junior in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama! ??? Alex is passionate about power systems, signal processing, analog circuit design, and semiconductor chip design and is currently working on his third internship—a remote position with Tennessee Valley Authority! ?? Favorite Class: Electronics II (ECE 333) "This class explores bipolar junction transistors and operational amplifiers. Through lab time, we see real-world applications, like amplifying waveforms and doing circuit math!" ?? If I Could Build Any Tech: "Without question, my own CPU or GPU architecture. Designing one of the most complex engineering systems known to mankind would be an incredible challenge!" ?? Biggest Advice for Students: "Branch out! Have friends in and outside of your major. Those tough projects and labs bond you together and create lifelong friendships!" ?? Most Unexpected Lesson in ECE: "I realized I don’t know exactly what I want to do within ECE! There are so many subfields, and your career path is truly a ‘choose your own adventure’ experience." ?? Coolest Technology Today: "Radar! The fact that we can create images of objects from afar using electricity is just fascinating." ?? Late-Night Go-To: "Greek yogurt (Chobani!) for a snack, but if it’s a meal, you can’t beat Cook Out." ?? Favorite Tuscaloosa Spot: "Loosa Brews—great atmosphere, a huge arcade, and live music!" ?? Advice to Freshman-Year Self: "Don’t worry too much. The start of college is tricky, but you’ll get better at balancing everything." ?? Most Influential Professor: "Dr. Mustafijur Rahman—he helped me shift my study strategies after a tough exam, which drastically improved my performance." ?? Future Goals: "I don’t have a dream company—just want to put my best work forward and love what I do!" ?? Fun Fact: Alex is a cat person—meet his cat, Rosie! ?? ?? Check out the electrical infrastructure photos from Alex’s summer internships at Nashville Electric Service (2023/2024)! ???? Alex is also involved in: ?? UA Undergraduate Research ?? Alabama Astrobotics ?? Crimson Racing (Formula SAE) ?? UA IEEE & IEEE Eta Kappa Nu ? UA Sailing Club Drop a ?? to celebrate Alex and his hard work in ECE! #RollTide #StudentSpotlight #ECEatUA #EngineeringExcellence

Congratulations!

???Student of the Week:?Lauryn?Prokup??? Thank you! I am very excited to be nominated as ECE Student of the Week. Here are my responses: ???Favorite Class:?Microcomputers – a challenging but rewarding class. It’s hands-on, involving both building the breadboard and writing the code. ???Dream Invention:?I would love to have an instant teleportation machine. It would make visiting people so much easier! ???Advice for Freshmen:?Get connected with people in your major and stick together. ???Most Unexpected Learning:?I was fascinated by quantum tunneling in my modern physics class. I can’t believe we are at the level of transistor fabrication where quantum effects are strongly interfering. ???Coolest Tech Today:?I have a lot of gratitude for my phone. It does so much! ???Late-Night Snack:?Peanut M&Ms are my go-to at Rodgers Library. ???Favorite Tuscaloosa Spot:?I love the Riverwalk. I find it calming to be near the river and in the sunshine. ???Impactful Professor:?Dr. Freeborn has had the greatest impact. I took his class during my first semester, and we bonded over Tim Hortons coffee (which is popular in Michigan and Canada). This past summer, I joined his three-month research study abroad trip to Brno, Czechia, and had an amazing time. ?????Future Plans:?This summer, I’ll be interning at Reliable Microsystems in Franklin, TN. Next year, I am returning to the University of Alabama for my MBA as part of the STEM to MBA Program. ?????Fun Fact:?My younger sister, Katie, is only 14 months younger than me. We look really alike! Let’s give?Lauryn?a round of applause for her hard work and achievements! ?? #ECEStudentSpotlight #RollTide #UofAEngineering

?? Don’t Miss This Seminar with Dr. Pai-Yen Chen! ?? ?? Date: Tomorrow, January 29th ? Time: 2:00 PM ?? Location: SERC 1013 We are excited to host Dr. Pai-Yen Chen from the University of Illinois at Chicago, who will present his fascinating research on Wireless Micro/Nano-Sensors in Telediagnosis and Telemedicine. ?? Abstract: The rapid advancements in sensors, actuators, and wireless technologies have revolutionized ubiquitous computing through the Internet of Things (IoT). The “5G-connected” smart objects driving this paradigm are enabling transformative technologies such as smart health, telemedicine, telediagnosis, and point-of-care testing. This talk will provide: ?An overview of recent advances in telemetry techniques and micro/nanotechnology-driven wireless sensors. ?Insights into “quantum-inspired” telemetry techniques that improve the sensitivity and resolvability of battery-less wireless micro/nano-sensors. ?Details on noise-immune passive wireless biosensors, utilizing chemically-reconfigurable oscillators and nanomaterial-based transistors. ?Applications of lightweight, flexible, and stretchable nanocomposite materials in wearable antennas and circuits, with a focus on their use in smart skins. ???? About Dr. Chen: Dr. Pai-Yen Chen is an IEEE Fellow and a leading researcher in applied electromagnetics, wireless sensors, and RF/microwave circuits. With numerous prestigious awards and significant contributions to the field, Dr. Chen’s work is driving innovation in IoT and wireless systems. ?? Join us tomorrow to explore these exciting advancements and their impact on modern technology! #EngineeringSeminar #ECEEvent #IoT #Telemedicine #WirelessSensors #RollTide #UofAEngineering

?? Seminar Spotlight: Dr. Shengli Fu! ?? We were honored to host Dr. Shengli Fu, Department Chair of Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas, for his enlightening seminar titled: “Design and Applications for the Open Aerial Computing Platform.” ??? Dr. Fu shared his cutting-edge research on leveraging aerial computing platforms for innovative applications, sparking meaningful discussions and inspiring fresh ideas in the field of aerial systems and computational engineering. It was a privilege to learn from such a distinguished leader in the field. Thank you, Dr. Fu, for sharing your expertise and making a lasting impact on our students and faculty! ?? ?? Stay tuned for more exciting seminars at the University of Alabama! #UofA #EngineeringInnovation #AerialComputing #SeminarSeries #RollTide