
MARMET
The following students have been selected to represent their universities and the Missouri University of Science and Technology: Mid-America Regional Microgrid Education and Training Consortium) MARMET Consortium as charter members of the national GEARED Student Innovation Board. In addition to an advisory role to MARMET, they are responsible for communicating opportunities and promoting student participation in GEARED-related activities on their campuses.

Matthew Backes
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2nd year MS Electrical Engineering with a focus on power systems
Hometown: Elkader, IA
Contact:
mbackes2@illinois.edu
Academic Goals
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To graduate with a masters degree in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems, cyber security, and communications.
Career Goals
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To work in the power industry as a researcher and leader to further electrify the world, increase the reliability and efficiency of existing power infrastructure, help drive next-generation grid architectures, and increase cyber security awareness within the utility sector.
Student Organizations
- IEEE,
- President of GEARED Student Innovation Board
- Contributing member of IEEE P2030.8 microgrid controller testing standards
- Best Buddies

Paprapee Buason
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Masters, Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power and Energy Systems
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Contact:
buason2@illinois.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2021
Career Goals
- Work as a professor in power and energy systems and power electronics. C
- Contribute my experience and knowledge I have earned from working in the research group to my hometown.
Student Organizations

Susie Wooyoung Choi
University of Wisconsin/Madison
Graduate student, Electrical Computer Engineering
Hometown: Gwangju, South Korea
Contact:
wchoi53@wisc.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with an M.S. in Electrical Computer Engineering May 2015
- Graduate with a Ph.D. in Electrical Computer Engineering Aug 2018
- Model and design bidirectional grid connected inverter for vehicle-to-grid application
- Assess stability of parallel connected inverters under different grid conditions
Career Goals
- Apply the knowledge and skills gained at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to address the challenges facing design of grid connected inverter and stability assessment for vehicle-to-grid application
Student Organizations
- Member of the GEARED Student Innovation Board representing UWM and the MARMET (MidAmerica Regional Microgird Education and Training Consortium)
- IEEE Student Member

Michael Dunham
University of Wisconsin/Madison
Junior, Electrical Engineering
Hometown: New Berlin, WI
Contact:
msdunham@wisc.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with a B.S. in Electrical Enginnering; Focus on power systems, more specifically power generation, transmission, and distribution
Career Goals
- Develop my engineering skills in the area of power systems and improve power transmission efficiency
Student Organizations
- Member of the GEARED Student Innovation Board representing University of Wisconsin/Madison and the MARMET Distributed Technology Training Consortium

Maigha
Missouri University of Science and Technology
PhD, graduation expected 2017
Hometown: Dehradun, India
Contact:
mmck6@mst.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with a PhD degree (2017);
- Focus on power and energy;
- Design reliable solutions to problems associated with evolving power systems;
- Develop an acumen to understand and implement a holistic view of research solutions.
Career Goals
- Work in a challenging environment that helps me apply my skills and knowledge in the area of power systems while continuously progressing toward personal and organizational goals.
- Develop communications, management, analytical and technical skills aiming toward advancement in power industry.
Student Organizations
IAS Student Chapter, IEEE Student Mmber, Women in Engineering, IEEE Young Professionals

Mohammad Rasoul Narimani
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Ph.D student, Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Rolla, MO
Contact:
mn9t5@mst.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with Ph.D in electrical engineering 2018
- Focus on smart grid and demand side management
Career Goals
- Apply the optimum demand side management in the smart grid environment
Student Organizations
- IEEE student chapter member
- IEEE PES member

Jamie Padilla
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Junior, Electrical Engineering
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Contact:
jpadill2@illinois.edu
Academic Goals
- Graduate with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in May 2016, Focus in Power and Energy
Career Goals
- Work in the utility industry with a focus in transmission planning and renewable energy development
Student Organizations
- Member of the GEARED Student Innovation Board
- Undergraduate student researcher at Grainger Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics
- Leadership chair and social media chair for Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
- Recruitment counselor for the University of Illinois PanHellenic Council
- Member of the Society of Women Engineers
- Member of Tau Sigma National Honor Society

Ankit Singhal
Iowa State University
Ph.D, Electrical Engineering, 2018
Hometown:
Contact:
ankit@iastate.edu
Academic Goals
- Work on coordinated voltage control problems in distribution systems with high DG penetration
- Develop reactive power/voltage (VAR/volt) controls for solar PV inverters in distribution systems
Learn more about upcoming energy technologies, specifically renewables, and their impact in future smart grids with other functionalities (i.e., demand response, DG, etc.)
Career Goals
- Apply skills and knowledge gained during Ph.D program to solve power problems in remote villages in India and work towars providing green and sustainable energy options to the world via research in academia.
Student Organizations
- GEARED Student Innovation Board (member)
- Wind Energy Students Organization at Iowa State University (member)

Richa Vijayvergiya
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Contact:
vijayve2@illnois.edu
Academic Goals
- Receive an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power and Energy and a minor in French.
Career Goals
- To work to find and implement more efficient, cleaner sources of energy and power in order to decrease global dependence on fossil fuels.
Student Organizations
- Member of SWE (Society of Women Engineers)
- Undergraduate student researcher at Grainger Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics
Francis Wagner
Iowa State University
Hometown:
Contact:
fwagner@iastate.edu