NSF NRT-GCR, AI: Program and Fellowship
Immersive Research Traineeship in the Convergence of Artificial Intelligence, Energy, and Cyber Security
Overview
The Immersive Research Traineeship in the Convergence of Artificial Intelligence, Energy, and Cyber Security is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) program designed to equip the next generation of STEM leaders with the interdisciplinary expertise needed to address critical challenges in energy security. This program aims to bridge the gap between engineers and scientists trained in cybersecurity and AI algorithms and those specialized in energy systems, fostering a unique cohort skilled at integrating these fields to tackle national priorities.
In a rapidly evolving world, energy infrastructure faces increasing threats and growing demands for resilient and sustainable systems. With over 427,000 job vacancies in energy, 663,500 in cybersecurity, and 55,000 in AI, the demand for cross-disciplinary talent has never been higher. Anchored in the thriving research and industrial ecosystem of Tennessee, this NRT allows trainees an opportunity to have research and professional discussions with industry partners and Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL).
Mission
Through the three key pillars of Education, Research, and Professional Development outlined below, this NRT fellowship empower M.S. and Ph.D. students in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering to collaborate and address the following:
Are engineers and scientists with research training in cybersecurity and AI algorithms but no actual understanding or hands-on experience in the physical energy infrastructure ideal to solve energy security?
Are engineers and scientists well trained in energy generation, storage, and power transmission technologies in an ideal situation to assess and mitigate an impending security threat?
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Education
- » Development of an Interdisciplinary Graduate Course
Efficient and Secure Energy Systems:
Energy Topics
- Distributed Energy Resources
- Grid Integration
- Batteries
- Electric Vehicles (EV)
Advanced AI Topics
- Supervised
- Ensemble
- Unsupervised
- Reinforcement Learning
Cybersecurity Topics
- SCADA Systems
- Industrial Controls
- HMI
- Threats and Vulnerabilities
- Security Principles
- Intrusion Detection
- Network Defense.
- » Professional Lecture Series
Insightful sessions from researchers of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and other industry experts.
- » Multidisciplinary Projects
Hands-on opportunities include project pitches, budget justification exercises, and capstone-style project displays and presentations.
- » Collaborative Learning
Group discussions following each lecture session and professional lecture series to foster deeper understanding and interdisciplinary engagement.
Research
- » Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Research projects involving diverse teams of faculty and students across ECE, CS, and ME disciplines.
- » Tackling Complex Engineering Challenges
Addressing issues related to efficient, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure.
- » Focused Research Areas
- Battery Materials
- Dynamic Wireless Charging
- Malware Detection in SMART Grids
- Deep-Learning Based Threat Detection
- Data-Driven Energy Management
- Reinforced Energy Restoration for Rural Energy Grids
- » Daily Research Reflections
Encouraging continuous improvement and critical thinking through daily written research reflections.
- » Annual NSF NRT Research Conference
Showcasing innovative research and fostering collaboration with fellow NSF-NRT fellowship participants.
- » Conference Engagement
Participation in IEEE Power and Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity conferences
- » Expert Discussions
Regular research discussions with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers to integrate cutting-edge expertise and feedback.
Professional Development
- » Training Sessions on Improved Critical Thinking
- Analyzing Information Sources
- Problem Deconstruction and Root Cause Analysis
- Scenario-Based Decision-Making
- » Intelligent Research Workshops
- Interpreting Published Data and Information Effectively
- Effective Analysis of Research Results
- Effective Dissemination of Results and Writing High Quality Research Papers
- Qualities of an Excellent Presenter
- » NRT Professional Development Seminar Series
- NRT Introduction and Requirements
- Q&A Sessions with Previous NRT Cohorts
- Courses in the Intersection of Energy, AI, and Cybersecurity
- Group Discussions on NRT Projects
- Importance of Research Ethics
- Technology Innovation Opportunities
Research & Publications
The following are on-going research projects and published conference and journal papers from NRT trainees and NRT faculty with the Immersive Research Traineeship in the Convergence of Artificial Intelligence, Energy, and Cyber Security NRT fellowship program:
On-Going Research Projects
- » Metamaterial-Based Next-Gen Dynamic & Secure Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles
(EV)
More information to be posted soon.
- » Increasing the Trustworthiness of Malware Detection
More information to be posted soon.
- » Automated Machine Learning for Deep Learning Based Malware Detection in SMART Grids
More information to be posted soon.
- » Secure, Non-Invasive Occupancy Pattern Recognition & Prediction for Adaptable, Data-Driven
Energy-Management in Smart Buildings
More information to be posted soon.
- » Reinforced Mobile Energy Restoration for Rural Grid Resilience
More information to be posted soon.
News & Events
The following section features upcoming workshops, bootcamps, seminars, and outreach events hosted by the TTU NRT group, with active NRT trainees often leading and organizing these initiatives. You’ll also find relevant articles, university stories, and program updates posted here.
Up-Coming Events
- » NRT Workshops
More information to be posted soon.
- » NRT Bootcamps
More information to be posted soon.
- » NRT Seminars
More information to be posted soon.
- » NRT Outreach Events
More information to be posted soon.
Immersive Research Traineeship in the Convergence of AI, Energy, and Cybersecurity
applications for the Spring 2026 semester are OPEN. Applications must be received by December 1st, 2025, for full consideration.
Students interested in participating in the NRT fellowship may apply before applying
to graduate school at Tennessee Tech. However, to be eligible for the NRT fellowship,
students must enroll as an M.S. or Ph.D. Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer
Science, or Mechanical Engineering student at Tennessee Tech at the start of their
fellowship.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the application below and submit all required documents to the NRT Project Coordinator, Mr. John-Caleb (JC) Williams, at jcwilliams@tntech.edu.
Leadership
Maanak Gupta, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator; Associate Chair and Associate Professor
of Computer Science
mgupta@tntech.edu
Indranil Bhattacharya, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator;
John-Caleb (JC) Williams
NRT Project Coordinator; Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Doctoral Student jcwilliams@tntech.edu
NRT Trainees
Garrett Armstrong
NRT Trainee - Cohort 1 - Masters Student Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
garmstron42@tntech.edu
Terry Hines
NRT Trainee - Cohort 1 - Masters Student Mechanical Engineering (ME)
tdhines42@tntech.edu
Kate Phillips
NRT Trainee - Cohort 1 - Doctoral Student Computer Science (CSC)
klphillips45@tntech.edu
Dakota Moye
NRT Trainee - Cohort 1 - Doctoral Student Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
djmoye43@tntech.edu
NRT Faculty & Staff
Maanak Gupta, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator; Associate Chair and Associate Professor
of Computer Science
mgupta@tntech.edu
Indranil Bhattacharya, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator;
Doug Talbert, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator; Co-Director Machine Intelligence and Data Science (MInDS) Center; Professor of Computer Science (CSC)
Eunsung Park, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator; Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction (CI)
epark@tntech.edu
John-Caleb (JC) Williams
NRT Project Coordinator; Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Doctoral Student
jcwilliams@tntech.edu
NRT Industrial Advisory Board (IAB)
Dale Blair, Ph.D.
Principal Research Engineer
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Tennessee Tech 85' B.S. & 87' M.S. ECE
Jack Baxter
V.P. of Power Systems Operations
Nashville Electric Service (N.E.S.)
Tennessee Tech 91' B.S. ECE
Tim Fritch
Manager of Power Quality
Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Tech 04' B.S. ECE
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