Education

• Ph.D. Candidate Electrical Engineering, Georgia Tech, Expected graduation 2026
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, 2021
• M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of South Florida, 2019
• B.S. Physics, University of Lomé, 2008

Background

Niyem Bawana is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research centers on harnessing advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to drive innovation in the field of nondestructive evaluation (NDE). He also investigates the integration of cybersecurity frameworks into NDE systems to enhance reliability and data integrity. In addition to his research, Niyem serves as a course instructor for Circuits and Electronics within the ECE program. His interdisciplinary background spanning science and engineering enables him to explore a wide range of interests at the intersection of NDE, AI, cybersecurity, and beyond.

Research

• Nondestructive evaluation of materials and structures
• AI-driven defect detection and classification in NDE systems
• Cybersecure sensing and data transmission for smart inspection platforms
• Physics-informed machine learning for material characterization
• Digital twins for predictive maintenance and structural health monitoring
• Multimodal data fusion for enhanced NDE diagnostics
• Simulation-based synthetic data generation for deep learning in NDE
• Terahertz and electromagnetic wave interaction with materials
• Robotics and automation for intelligent NDE inspections
• Algorithm development for real-time signal processing in NDE

Distinctions and Awards

• STEER Fellow (2024), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Global Achievement Award (2018), University of South Florida
• Fulbright Fellow (2017–2019), U.S. Department of State; Awarded full funding for graduate studies at the University of South Florida, USA
• PAFROID Fellow (2015), European Union–Funded Fellowship, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Selected for international research exchange program

Representative Publications

Hassanalian, M., Mirzaeinia, A., Bawana, N., & Heppner, F. (2022). Energy management of echelon flying northern bald ibises with different wingspans and variable wingtip spacing. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 19(1), 44–61.

Bawana, N.M. (2021). Swarming Drones: Bioinspiration and Energy Saving Opportunities. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Rubin, Z., Bawana, N., & Hassanalian, M. (2020). Flight pattern formations and their effects on drag: Experimental study and flow visualization. AIAA AVIATION 2020 Forum, 2783.

Bawana, N., Rubin, Z., & Hassanalian, M. (2020). Adaptive Formation Flight of Fixed-Wing Cooperative Swarming Drones: Analytical Study and Aerodynamic Analysis. AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2020 Forum, 3956.

Bawana, N., Mirzaeinia, A., & Hassanalian, M. (2020). Energy Management of Migratory Birds through Flock Mutation. 2020 Gulf Southwest Section Conference.

Bawana, N. (2019). Thermal Response in a Field Oriented Controlled Three-phase Induction Motor. University of South Florida.

Segbefia, K.M., Wala, K., Atakpama, W., Lare, Y., Bawana, N., Folega, F., et al. (2018). Comparaison de la performance de deux types de foyers ameliores traditionnels: Foyer à argile du Togo et foyer Malgache. Journal de la Recherche Scientifique de l’Université de Lomé, 20(1), 13–22.