Education
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY (ongoing, GPA: 4.00)
Dissertation: Accelerating Bus Transport Electrification through Optimization and Reinforcement Learning Strategies
Major Interdepartmental Courses:
- Data Science in Practice [CS6830]
- Mathematical Methods for Data Science [STAT6645]
- Machine Learning [DATA5600]
- GIS for Environmental Planning [LAEP6300]
- M.Sc. in Construction Management, Pokhara University , Nepal (2020, GPA: 3.95)
Thesis: Existing Bidding Trends and Consequences on Procurement Performances of Transport Infrastructure at Road Division
Major Courses:
- Project Planning and Control [MGT511]
- Statistical Analysis [STAT505]
- Financial Management [FIN521]
- B.E. in Civil Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (2013, ranked top 4)
Work Experience
- Graduate Research Assistant, University at Buffalo, SUNY (01/2025 - present)
Research Focus: Optimization and Deep Reinforcement Learning applications for transit operation and Charging Infrastructure Planning
Key Contributions:
- Developed a novel optimization framework MIP, VNS heuristic and DRL-PPO algorithm for bus fleet electrification considering real time uncertainties.
Grant Proposal Writing:
- NYSERDA RFP 5965-Electric School Bus Transport Support Contractor $ 1 million 2025-208, PI- Dr. Ziqi Song
- DOE, JOET, Concept paper in response to FOA expanding E-mobility Solutions through Electrified School Buses $250,000
- Graduate Intern (PhD), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (05/2024 - 01/2025)
Research Focus: INFORMES: INtermodal Freight Optimization for a Resilient Mobility Energy System
Key Contributions:
- SMART 2.0 Freight project: developed electric variant of NREL- open-sourced FReight Integrated Simulation Model (FRISM) for heterogeneous mixed fleet combination using VNS metaheuristics.
- Coded & Implemented FAF Flow Containerization Modeling & calibration model at National Scale.
- Formulated methodological framework for county level freight flow disaggregation model and developed an algorithm.
- Created & hosted interactive Container Freight data visualization Dashboard
- Graduate Research Assistant, Utah State University (08/2021 - 01/2025)
Research Focus: Convex optimization, heuristic algorithms and Inclusive transport planning
Key Contributions:
- Produced a enhanced multistage Mult objective linear /nonlinear optimization model with achievement of efficient recharging and scheduling of EVs in 10,000 node networks in 2 stages.
- Automated a space time prism (STP) modeling by developing ArcGIS Pro based algorithm in python using arcpy environment to measure accessibility for people with disabilities.
- Authored Six Journal articles.
- Assistant Professor, Pokhara University, Nepal (03/2020 - 08/2021)
- Highway Engineer, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Nepal (07/2015 - 08/2021)
Research Interests
Operation Research in Transportation
Electric Vehicle (EV) Routing and Charging Infrastructures
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Reinforcement Learning (RL), and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) in Public Transit
Data Science and Machine Learning in Transportation
Travel Behavior Modeling and Analysis
Inclusive Transportation Planning & Policy