Bukunmi Odunlami - ECE PhD Student of the Month - May 2026
Bukunmi Odunlami is a third-year Ph.D. student in the ECE department, advised by Dr. Marcos Netto. Before beginning his Ph.D., he worked for four years in industry as an electrical engineer, focusing on industrial power system installation and automation, including control panels and PLC systems. His research focuses on power system dynamics and state estimation using hybrid dynamical systems. Beyond research, he enjoys creating content on social media, playing chess, and watching movies.
What would you say that could be the next big thing in your area of research?
The rise of AI and data centers is one of the most impactful trends in our field, as the rapid growth of AI is driving large-scale, power-intensive data centers with highly dynamic and unpredictable load profiles. Ensuring their reliable operation requires real-time monitoring built on accurate system models, where hybrid dynamical systems approaches play a key role. This direction holds strong potential for advancing the reliability and efficiency of modern power infrastructure.
Over the past three years, you have already produced four papers with your advisor. Please share some unique trainings/advice that your advisor has provided for writing and publication.
My advisor places strong emphasis on parsimony, keeping ideas as simple as possible without losing rigor. He often stresses that a paper should be self-contained, and that writing involves carefully guiding the reader from one idea to the next, almost like taking them step by step across a road. This mindset has taught me to be patient with explanations and intentional with structure, so that the contribution is both clear and easy to follow.
You are going to do an internship this summer. Do you already know any specifics of what you will be working on? How do you feel about this opportunity?
I will be working as an intern at Eaton Corporation this summer, focusing on control and stability of DC systems for applications in data centers and EV charging infrastructure. I am excited about this opportunity as it will be my first industry experience in the United States, and I look forward to gaining hands-on experience with industry-scale systems.