People
Faculty
Dr. Taylan G. Topcu is an Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering & Analysis at Virginia Tech, in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. At Virginia Tech, he also serves as the Director of Systems Engineering Master’s of Science Degree and the Coordinator of the Mission Engineering Certificate Program. He also teaches ISE 5804 Fundamentals of Systems Engineering and ISE 5834 Decision Analysis for Engineers.
Dr. Topcu holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the Middle East Technical University (METU ‘09), a MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH ‘15), and a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech (‘20). Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech, he was a Postdoctoral Scientist at the George Washington University in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering.
Dr. Topcu is a member of INCOSE, ASME, CESUN, IISE, and the Design Society. At INCOSE, he serves on the Corporate Advisory Board and the Academic Council.
Graduate Students
MD Xames
Xames is currently pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He received his BS in Industrial and Production Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Previously, he has worked as a lecturer for four years (2018-2022) in the Industrial and Production Engineering department at the Military Institute of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.
Research interests: Systems engineering, Digital twins, Data science, Healthcare systems.
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Nicholas is currently pursuing a PhD in Management Systems Engineering. He received a BA in Economics (University of Florida), BS in Digital Engineering & Management (Reutlingen University), and MBA (Florida Gulf Coast University). Previously, Nicholas worked as a digital engineering consultant in the automotive sector and as a digital engineering project manager at a sustainability consulting firm.
Research Interests: Digital Engineering, Management Systems Engineering, Digital Transformation
Shefa holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology in Bangladesh and a MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Previously Shefa worked as an instructor for one and a half years at Military Institute of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.
Research interests: Prognostic and health management (PHM), System life cycle analysis, Explainable machine learning, Flexibility in Design, Post-production change
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Andrea holds a BS in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Systems Engineering. Previously Andrea worked as an undergraduate research assistant at UTEP Aerospace Center.
Research interests: Systems engineering, systems architecture, iterative design.
Max hols a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech. Currently he is pursuing a PhD in Systems Engineering with a focus toward Mission Engineering and human-AI collaboration for design. He also is a faculty member at the University Libraries where he serves as the director of the experiential learning maker space: The Prototyping Studio.
Research interests: Artificial intelligence for systems engineering (AI4SE), Space mission analysis, Design thinking, Iterative design
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Brandt holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from George Mason University. Currently he is pursuing his PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Brandt has previous experience with systems engineering through internships with George Mason and Virginia Tech.
Research interests: Systems Engineering, Digital Transformation
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Ibrahim is pursuing his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University (METU ’23). He worked as a consultant in data science and digital transformation prior to joining Virginia Tech.
Research Interests: Systems Engineering, Resilience, Sociotechnical Systems, Data Science, Systems of Systems, Digital Transformation
Spandhan
Spandhan is currently pursuing his Masters of Science Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a BS in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University. Prior to enrolling into the graduate program at VT, Spandhan worked as an Automation Engineer at Amdocs.
Research interests: Systems engineering, Mission-based design, Naval Systems.