Deniz Najafi - ECE PhD Student of the Month - January 2024
Deniz Najafi is a first-year Ph.D. student advised by Professor Shaahin Angizi at the ACAD Lab. Her research focuses on Processing-in-Memory and In-sensor computing. Beyond the world of research, Deniz harbors a deep appreciation for literature and is an avid reader. Her affinity for the arts was previously expressed through frequent visits to live theater shows. Now, with New York's vibrant cultural scene within reach, Deniz is thrilled at the opportunity to witness stage renditions of the literary works she has passionately read.
What would you say that could be the next big thing in your area of research?
Numerous trending topics are currently prevalent in our field of study. From my perspective, medical and healthcare issues stand out as particularly significant. The utilization of well-trained neural networks holds the potential to significantly advance our understanding and prediction of diseases based on anticipated symptoms. This prospect may soon lead to groundbreaking developments in the field.
You are a winner in both the ECE PhD Stories contest and the GSA Research Day of Fall 2023. What do you think is the most important thing in making people attracted to a research idea?
Answers to this question may vary based on their characteristics. However, a crucial strategy is not getting too focused on a particular research idea. The idea of "thinking outside the box" can be effective in attracting fellow researchers to a new topic. When researchers explore a broader range within a subject, they broaden their horizons and uncover new possibilities in that research area. This positive feedback loop enhances the overall exploration and potential advancements.
The weather this winter in the area is quite unusual. Please share a lesson that you've earned about health management under turbulent temperature changes.
Oh, really? I wasn't aware of that~ I should have probably planned for it though, because I'm always feeling chilly. My weather app is like a good buddy whenever I leave home or am about to visit a new place. Since I still see myself as new to this area, I frequently check the temperature forecast for tomorrow and the day after. I've got this layering system for clothing, so I'm not taken aback when I step out of the lab for coffee and find the sky pouring heavy rain. It's especially handy considering I had to go back in the morning to reapply sunscreen due to the intense sun!