Contact


Aleksandr Sergeyev, Ph.D
Michigan Technological University
Professor
Mechatronic Electrical and Robotics Engineering Technology, College of Computing
Director, Fanuc Cetified Industrial Robotic Training Center
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-2258
avsergue@mtu.edu

Dr. Sergeyev is Professor in the Electrical and Robotics Engineering Technology program at Michigan Tech. He is a FANUC-certified instructor in Robotics and oversees the FANUC authorized certified training center at Michigan Tech. He has developed and taught courses in the areas of Robotics and Automation, Power, Electrical Machinery, Programmable Logical Controllers, Digital Signal Processing, and Optics. He has a strong record publishing in prestigious journals and conference proceedings, such as Measurements Science and Technology, Adaptive Optics, Sensors and Materials, The Technology Interface International Journal, ASEE, IEEE, and SPIE. Additionally, Dr. Sergeyev is a PI and Co-PI on several NSF and DOL awards, and a PI on multiple significant industry awards.


Vinh Nguyen
Michigan Technological University
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics

Vinh Nguyen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Tech, where his research focuses on advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0, human-robot-machine interaction, and physics-based/data- driven modeling. Vinh has developed solutions for a variety of production processes including machining, additive manufacturing, metal forming, and robotic assembly to promote smart and sustainable manufacturing. Vinh also conducts research in general industrial automation including autonomous vehicles and industrial robotics.

Prior to his appointment at Michigan Technological University, Vinh was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from 2020 to 2022. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and his MS in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in addition to receiving his BS in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. At Michigan Tech, Vinh is also the Coordinator for the NIST Professional Research Experience Program at NIST. Vinh will be developing the ExLENT modules for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.

Research Interests

Teaching Interests


David Labyak
Michigan Technological University
Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

David M. Labyak, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Department at Michigan Tech, teaching courses in Machine Design, Finite Element Analysis, Mechatronics, and Manufacturing. He is in his sixth year of teaching at Michigan Tech. Prior to that, he spent 25 years in the automotive, mining, aerospace, and engineering consulting industries. His background includes sheet metal fabrication, product assembly, manufacturing, finite element analysis, as well as noise and vibration analysis. David’s role in the Mechatronics Education Portal will be with the Mechanical – Fluid Educational Portal.

The main component of the Fluid Educational Portal (FEP) manufacturing curriculum for mechatronic systems is the use of fluid power in automated systems. This will include a virtual (online) effort and a hands-on effort. The virtual effort will be comprised of the Fluid Educational Portal and Electrohydraulic System Simulator carried out through a virtual environment. This will be accomplished in an online setting comprised of video explanations, example calculations, and example simulations. The hands-on effort will be comprised of basic hand calculations, laboratory demonstrations, and experiments at Michigan Technological University using fluid power trainers and specialty-designed systems.

The two components of the Fluid Educational Portal will be an online effort and a hands-on effort. The online effort will contain a series of video explanations and exercises to explain hydraulics and help familiarize the student with typical components used. The hands-on effort will expose the student to actual physical equipment to obtain a better understanding of how hydraulics works.


Scott Kuhl
Michigan Technological University
Associate Professor, Computer Science
Adjunct Associate Professor, Cognitive and Learning Sciences

Scott Kuhl is an associate professor of computer science at Michigan Technological University. He received his PhD in computer science from the University of Utah in 2009. His research interests include computer graphics, immersive virtual environments, and human spatial perception. He is also affiliated with the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors program and participates in the in the Center for Human-Centered Computing at the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC).


Paniz Khanmohammadi Hazaveh
Michigan Technological University
Associate Teaching Professor, Applied Computing

Dr. Hazaveh received her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering fro Michigan Technological University in 2018 with a focus on Single Electron Transistors.  She is currently an associate teaching profession in the department of Applied Computing. She has been the director of the undergraduate programs in Mechatronics and Electrical Technology at MTU since 2023. Her teaching expertise are circuits, electronics, and control systems. In this project, she is developing modules related to electronics and controls.

The developed modules are divided into two parts. The first portion focuses on introducing the basics of electronics and circuit analysis. Students will learn basic definitions via online lectures and then they incorporate their knowledge in the labs with hands on experiments.

After leaning basic electronics then they will be introduced to control systems. The goal of this portion is to introduce them to PID controllers. Starting from a simple control system then adding feedback and the last part of the modules will focus on PID control system. Students will learn the basic theory of control systems via online modules and then they will use their learnt knowledge to complete hands on experiments and tune PID controllers.


Linda Wanless
Michigan Technological University
Associate Director of the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning

Dr. Linda Wanless is currently the Associate Director of the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning at Michigan Technological University, she also holds an affiliated faculty position with Cognitive Learning Sciences and Engineering Fundamentals. Dr. Wanless has over 18+ years experience teaching in STEM fields along with a passion for researching learning environments.

Dr. Wanless will serve as the internal evaluator on the ExLENT project. Her focus will be to assess all activities and ensure that evaluation procedures are aligned with the National Research Council’s Framework for Science Education. Pre and post surveys will be conducted around the MCEP, Practice labs, program entry and program exit. Interviews will be conducted around the site visits. Additional evaluation activities will be considered as project performance is assessed.