UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Zahra Ghorbani, an architectural engineering doctoral candidate at Penn State, was one of 34 people selected nationally to participate in the 2023 Cyber-Physical Systems Rising Stars Workshop, held in May at the University of Virginia and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The workshop, which students apply to be a part of, is held annually for students earning doctoral degrees and postdocs who are interested in pursuing academic careers in cyber-physical systems (CPS).  

According to the workshop website, “CPS are engineered systems that are built from, and depend upon, the seamless integration of computation and physical components. CPS technologies are transforming the way people interact with engineered systems, just as the Internet has transformed the way people interact with information.” 

Ghorbani was the only student selected to represent Penn State or the field of architectural engineering. She said the daylong workshop was a learning experience and opportunity. 

"I got to present my research, but it was also a learning opportunity,” she said. “[We covered a range of topics] from learning how to write NSF grant proposals to how to pursue an academic career path, search for academic jobs, establish your research group, recruit students, and find research collaborators."  

Ghorbani received her bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from Shahid Beheshti University in Iran and completed her master’s degree in construction management at Texas A&M University. She came to Penn State in 2020 and joined the Computer Integrated Construction research group, under the direction and supervision of John Messner, Charles and Elinor Matts Professor of Architectural Engineering.

Ghorbani’s research focuses on cyber-physical systems and digital twins for the operation of buildings.

“Operational digital twins, which encompass cyber-physical systems, serve as virtual replicas of physical assets or systems. Their purpose is to enhance understanding, analysis and optimizations of their real-world counterparts,” she said. “Within the context of building operations, digital twins can be created and implemented at various levels, ranging from individual components like mechanical equipment to entire spaces such as classrooms, buildings or even groups of buildings.

“An illustrative example involves monitoring a building’s energy consumption using a real-time energy model to optimize energy usage and foster a more sustainable built environment,” she added, noting that a built environment can be described as human-made or modified structures that provide people with living, working and recreational spaces. “Another scenario entails remote monitoring and controlling equipment, such as an air handling unit. This enables a worker to manage multiple pieces of equipment from their office without the need to visit the site physically, leading to more efficient building operations.”

Ghorbani said the goal of her research is to help build a more sustainable built environment and aid in emergency response preparedness.

“I’m really hoping to push the boundaries and take a step toward implementing cyber-physical systems and digital twins for facilities operations,” she said. 

According to Ghorbani’s abstract on the workshop website, “There is an opportunity to leverage cyber-physical systems in building operations to reduce energy consumption and improve overall operational efficiency. Developing CPS to support the operation of buildings and infrastructure will lead to more sustainable and resilient built environments.” 

“CPS research is an interdisciplinary research area,” she said. “The workshop was a great opportunity for networking and getting to know what other researchers are doing in this research area through other lenses.” 

Participants had the opportunity to learn from each other through poster sessions where they each presented their work.  

"I really enjoyed learning about other participants’ research,” Ghorbani said. “It was a good opportunity to present to an audience outside of my field.  Receiving feedback on your research from someone who isn’t familiar with your field is a unique opportunity.” 

Although Ghorbani has a year before her anticipated graduation, she said she knows the experience is one that will follow her throughout her time at Penn State and beyond.

“It was great to be recognized as one of the rising stars doing high-quality research in cyber-physical systems,” she said. “It was really an honor.”