Welcome! I am an Assistant Professor specializing in the mathematical modeling, analysis, and control of dynamic systems, with a particular emphasis on safe, sustainable, and resilient next-generation intelligent transportation systems. My research integrates traffic flow theory, control engineering, optimization, and machine learning to study emerging transportation cyber-physical systems, which combine physical components, like vehicles and infrastructure, with computational elements, such as sensors and software. These systems play a crucial role in enabling the smart cities of the future and promoting the well-being of the planet and its people. I have received several honors and awards, including the 2025 University Research Institute Award at UTEP, the Best Paper Runner-Up Award at IEEE FISTS 2024, the 2023 Rising STARs Award (UT System), the 2023 IEEE ITS Best Dissertation Award–First Prize (IEEE ITS Society), the Best Dissertation Award from the CEGE Department at the University of Minnesota (UMN), the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (UMN), and the Matthew J. Huber Award (UMN). 

Before joining UTEP in Spring 2023, I earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, focusing on transportation systems (with Michael Levin), from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Fall 2022. Prior to that, I received a B.E. in Automation (Traffic Information & Control) and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Control Systems) from Chang'an University and the University of Ottawa (with N. U. Ahmed) in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Outside of research, I like to hike, run (5 km and 10 km), play tennis, learn card manipulation techniques, and watch documentaries.

Open research assistant positions

• I am always seeking self-motivated Ph.D. and master's students who are passionate about emerging transportation cyber-physical systems, with a focus on connected automated vehicles, electric vehicles, and intelligent transportation systems. Prospective students with a background in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Applied Math are encouraged to apply.

• I am hiring undergraduate research assistants. Funded positions are available. 

• ​I am also accepting postdoctoral researchers. 

If interested, please email me at swang14[at]utep[dot]edu with your CV, transcripts, and a brief description of your research interests. More information is available here. Due to a large volume of emails received, I can only respond to a select number of inquiries. However, you can directly submit an application to the Graduate School. Thank you for your interest!

UTEP students: Please feel free to reach out if you are a grad/undergrad student interested in any of my research areas.