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Mahmoud Nazzal is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in computer engineering, specializing in the robustness and applicability of advanced machine learning models. His research primarily focuses on enhancing the security, reliability, and real-world applicability of these models, ensuring they can be effectively and safely deployed in various critical domains. Specifically, his work involves graph neural networks (GNNs) and large language models (LLMs) as relational and sequential models, respectively.

New Jersey Institute of Technology served up a full day of fanfare as its advanced degree graduates walked across the stage in the Wellness and Events Center in three commencement ceremonies on May 15. The 2024 class comprises more than 1,400 graduates and reflects the institution’s steady growth and upward trajectory.

Mohammad Arif Hossain has successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation in Computer Engineering from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). His research focus was on AI-assisted next generation wireless networks, distributed machine learning, cloud and edge computing, 6G and 5G Networks and internet of things (IoT) during his Ph.D. Before joining his Ph.D. program, he served as a faculty in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of East Delta University, Bangladesh from 2016 to 2018.

NJIT has established employee resource groups (ERG) that meet regularly and encourage faculty and staff to connect outside of their direct working relationships. This month, NJIT is celebrating its Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group and publishing an employee spotlight on two of its members: Ann D. Hoang, university librarian in the Van Houten Library; and Durga Misra, professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department.

Can you introduce us to the ERG?

An all-freshman team, Rackify, was the top NJIT winner and third overall at this year’s MakeNJIT hardware hackathon, creating a smart bicycle rack that automatically locks your ride by activating an RFID reader and extending an arm through the spokes or frame.

New Jersey Institute of Technology aims to be a nexus of innovation that embraces new tech, commercializes groundbreaking research, leverages its diversity and tackles global environmental and socioeconomic challenges under a new strategic plan that extends through 2030.

The plan, NJIT Makes An Innovation Nexus, identifies six priorities, spells out the university’s mission to be a leader in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and reaffirms its core values, including collaboration, social responsibility, diversity and sustainability.

Deepak Vungarala is a Ph.D. student at NJIT, originally from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, India. He is fueled by his ambition and a robust work ethic, Vungarala's background is remarkably diverse. He has a passion for sports, having achieved accolades in boxing and Kung-Fu, both as a student and trainer. Additionally, his creative pursuits have seen him find success in poetry, further illustrating the breadth of his experiences. These varied interests have played a pivotal role in developing his resilience and determination.

NJIT has established employee resource groups (ERG) that meet regularly and encourage faculty and staff to connect outside of their direct working relationships. This month, NJIT is celebrating its Women’s Leadership and Employee Resource Group and publishing an employee spotlight on one of its members: Miosotis Hernandez, assistant director for first year engineering programs in Newark College of Engineering.

Can you introduce us to your ERG?

Six NJIT researchers have secured grants in the latest round of funding provided by the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF), which has increased its funding in both its Community Health, Social Services and Education Program, as well as its traditional research program this year.

The $4 million round of funding brings the NJHF’s total to $70 million since the inception of its annual grant program.

Vishnu Komanduri is a Ph.D. student in the Helen and John C. Hartman Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) advised by Dr. Roberto Rojas-Cessa. His research focuses on network congestion control, and machine-learning-assisted network design.