💼 Research and Professional Experience

Ph.D. Researcher / Research Assistant

Center for Intelligent and Networked Systems (CFINS)
Department of Automation, Tsinghua University
Beijing, China
September 2021 – September 2026

• Conducted research on artificial intelligence for smart and sustainable buildings.
• Developed machine-learning and deep-learning models for occupancy sensing, inference, and time-series prediction.
• Designed Transformer-, Mamba-, LLM-, and agentic-AI-based frameworks for building applications.
• Developed control-oriented AI pipelines connecting occupancy sensing, prediction, reasoning, and HVAC control.
• Integrated real-world multi-sensor and video data with EnergyPlus and OpenStudio.
• Investigated occupant-centric HVAC control, thermal comfort, and building energy efficiency.
• Conducted research involving computer vision, large language models, vision-language models, model predictive control, and reinforcement learning.
• Performed model development, experimental validation, data analysis, academic writing, and collaborative research under the supervision of Prof. Qianchuan Zhao.

Electrical Engineer

Wuxi Johnnywell Railway Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.
Wuxi, China
June 2019 – July 2021

• Programmed and commissioned PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, actuators, and industrial automation equipment.
• Diagnosed and troubleshot PLC systems, electrical control systems, and process instrumentation.
• Supported industrial automation and workflow-improvement projects.
• Collected technical requirements from clients and end users.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams on automation-system design and commissioning.

Management Trainee

Design Line Architects
Multan, Pakistan
June 2014 – June 2016

• Supported IT, project-management, administrative, and operational activities.
• Assisted with process coordination and workflow improvement.

Trainee Engineer

Niagara Textile (Pvt) Ltd.
Pakistan
May 2013 – May 2014

• Repaired and maintained electronic control cards.
• Designed and troubleshot electrical control panels used in manufacturing processes.