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General Information (updated Aug. 8, 2023)

Full Name Kimberly J. Chan
Languages English

Education

  • May 2024 (expected)
    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley, California
    • Major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Overall GPA: 3.93/4.0
  • 2018
    Bachelor of Science
    Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta, Georgia
    • Major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Minor in Scientific and Engineering Computing
    • Overall GPA: 3.79/4.0

Research Experience

  • Jan. 2023 - Present
    Pathways Intern
    NASA Ames Research Center - Dr. William J. Coupe
    • Geometric deep learning methods for air traffic management
      • Created a machine learning model pipeline for the Digital Information Platform following MLOps principles
      • Created an interactive monitor to visualize data and model predictions
  • Jan. 2020 - Present
    Graduate Research Assistant
    University of California, Berkeley - Prof. Ali Mesbah
    • Conducted research in machine learning methods for optimal control and statistical forecasting for cold atmospheric plasmas in biomedical applications
      • Co-developed a correction strategy for deep neural network-based controllers in complex, nonlinear systems on embedded hardware
      • Created an end-to-end framework for optimal hyperparameter search for embedded learning-based control using multi-objective Bayesian optimization
      • Continuing work on personalizing plasma treatments using transfer learning and active learning paradigms
  • Jan. 2017 - May 2018
    Undergraduate Research Assistant
    Georgia Institute of Technology - Prof. Martin Maldovan
    • Performed computational fluid dynamics simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics Software to observe transport properties of fluids in perovskite membrane reactors
    • Participated in discussion of theoretical applications of metamaterials and nanoscale thermal transport properties

Teaching Experience

  • Spring 2020
    Spring 2021
    Graduate Student Instructor
    College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley - Prof. Jay D. Keasling
    • Worked on a team of 3 to run a process controls and dynamics course (CBE 162) of 60-70 students
    • Obtained above average ratings on all aspects of student course evaluations by teaching weekly labs, holding weekly office hours, managing a discussion forum, developing interactive lab assignments, and grading exams
    • Attained Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (2022)
  • Fall 2019
    Graduate Student Instructor
    College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley - Dr. Negar Beheshti Pour
    • Worked with a team of 8 to run an introductory chemical engineering course (CBE 40) of 62 students
    • Obtained above average ratings on all aspects of student course evaluations holding weekly office hours, managing a discussion forum, and developing and grading assignments and assessments
    • Attained Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (2019)
  • Aug. 2016 - May 2018
    Peer Mentor/Tutor
    Center for Academic Success, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Aug. 2015 - May 2018
    Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
    School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Publications

  • K. J. Chan, J. A. Paulson, and A. Mesbah, "A practical multi-objective learning framework for optimal hardware-software co-design of control-on-a-chip systems," Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology.
  • K. J. Chan, J. A. Paulson, and A. Mesbah, "Safe explorative Bayesian optimization - Towards personalized treatments in plasma medicine," Accepted at the 62nd Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 2023.
  • K. J. Chan†, G. Makrygiorgos†, and A. Mesbah, "Towards personalized plasma medicine via data-efficient adaptation of fast deep learning-based MPC policies," In Proceedings of the American Control Conference (ACC), 2023.
  • Y. Bao, K. J. Chan, A. Mesbah, and J. Mohammadpour Velni, "Learning-based adaptive-scenario-tree model predictive control with improved probabilistic safety using robust Bayesian neural networks," International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control, 2023.
  • Y. Bao, K. J. Chan, A. Mesbah, and J. Mohammadpour Velni, "Learning-based adaptive-scenario-tree model predictive control with probabilistic safety using Bayesian neural networks," In Proceedings of the American Control Conference (ACC), 2022.
  • D. Rodrigues, K. J. Chan, and A. Mesbah, "Data-driven adaptive optimal control under model uncertainty: An application to cold atmospheric plasmas," IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, 2022.
  • K. J. Chan†, J. A. Paulson†, and A. Mesbah, "Deep learning-based approximate nonlinear model predictive control with offset-free tracking for embedded applications," In Proceedings of the American Control Conference (ACC), 2021.
  • † denotes equal contribution among authors

Open Source Projects

  • see "repositories" tab

Technical Strengths

  • Programming
    • Python (NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas, PyTorch, BoTorch, Plotly/Dash, Tensorflow, Seaborn, FastAPI)
    • MATLAB
    • LaTeX
    • C
    • Java
  • Additional PhD Coursework
    • Introduction to Machine Learning (CS 289A)
    • Experiential Advanced Control Design I (ME 231A)
    • Deep Reinforcement Learning, Decision Making, and Control (CS 285)
  • SEC Coursework
    • Intro to Object-Oriented Programming (CS 1331)
    • Computational Problem Solving (CX 4010)
    • Numerical Analysis I (CX 4640)
    • Classical Mathematical Methods in Engineering (MATH 4581)
    • High Performance Computing (CX 4220)
    • Linear Algebra (MATH 4305)

Selected Honors and Awards

  • 2023
    • Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) Student Travel Grant
    • American Control Conference (ACC) Student Travel Grant
  • 2022
    • Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor
  • 2021
    • Graduate Remote Instruction Innovations Fellow
    • Departmental Fellowship funded by Tom De Jonghe
  • 2020
    • Women in Chemical Engineering (WIC) Travel Award (virtual conference)
  • 2019
    • Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor

Service/Outreach/Mentorship

  • Various, Ongoing
    Peer Reviewer
    University of California, Berkeley
    • American Control Conference, 2023, 2024
    • Conference on Decision and Control, 2023
    • Learning for Dynamics and Control, 2024
  • 2023, 2024
    Faculty Search Committee Graduate Student Member
    Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (UCB)
    • Attended research seminars of faculty candidates, engaged in conversations with faculty candidates outside of research, evaluated and wrote confidential reviews of faculty candidates
  • Aug. 2020 - Present
    Research Mentor
    University of California, Berkeley
    • Kelci Skinner, Undergraduate student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Aug. 2022 - Present)
    • Shawn Shin, Undergraduate student in Physics (Feb. 2021 - Jun. 2021)
    • Mehul Raheja, Undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (May 2020 - May 2021)
  • 2022
    Food Pantry Volunteer
    UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center
  • Aug. 2019 - 2022
    Member, Mentor Buddy
    Graduate Women in Engineering
  • Jun. 2020 - May 2021
    Special Projects Webmaster
    Graduate Student Advisory Committee
    • Headed special projects involving technical improvements to graduate-student-led programs in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Coordinated the development of a web-based solution to connect a running total of more than 30 undergraduate students with research projects within the department
    • Created a communication network of 30-40 (and growing) students to foster inclusion and discussion with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community within the department

Presentations

  • K. J. Chan, J. A. Paulson*, and A. Mesbah, "Towards personalized cold plasma treatments using safe explorative Bayesian optimization," American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2023 Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2023.
  • K. J. Chan*, J. A. Paulson, and A. Mesbah, "End-to-end design and implementation of robust MPC on resource-limited hardware using multi-objective Bayesian optimization and deep learning," American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2022 Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2022.
  • K. J. Chan*, J. A. Paulson, and A. Mesbah, "Automated tuning of generic embedded controllers using multi-objective Bayesian optimization," 2022 NorCal Control Conference, Santa Cruz, California, USA, 2022.
  • D. Rodrigues*, K. J. Chan, and A. Mesbah, "Optimal control of dose delivery in atmospheric pressure plasma jets," American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2021 Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 2021.
  • K. J. Chan*, A. D. Bonzanini, and A. Mesbah, "Embedded deep learning-based robust model predictive control for fast-sampling atmospheric pressure plasma jets using field programmable gate arrays," American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 2020 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, USA (virtual), 2020.
  • * denotes presenting author

Other Interests

  • Hobbies: Mechanical Keyboards, Cooking, Traveling