In August, Shuaiqi (Roger) Shen joined UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science as an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department.
He is an embedded systems researcher and his expertise will strengthen the college’s already strong collaborations with local industry in the evolution of the Industrial 4.0 era, says Yi Hu, chair of the Electrical Engineering Department.
“Dr. Shen will make a significant contribution in revamping the college’s four-course sequence in embedded systems,” Hu says.
Shen joins a department that is already on the cutting-edge of electronics research (in areas including battery energy storage, cybersecurity, machine learning and AI) and produces graduates who are in high demand by local industry.
Shen’s research will focus on embedded systems—including the power they consume when used within the Internet of Things (IoT)—and energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI).
Embedded systems are small computers that are embedded inside larger mechanical or electric systems, where they perform a dedicated function, typically in real time. They are changing how all of us interact with technology and are increasingly being used in everyday technology associated with communications (cellphones), home electronics (smart home appliances), cars and trucks (keyless entry), healthcare (medical imaging) and much more.
The IoT enables AI to be distributed to embedded systems, Shen says. However, the additional energy required for the embedded system’s AI algorithms raise sustainability issues.
Milwaukee’s manufacturing community offers opportunity to “turn research outcomes into real-world applications”
Shen’s research interests include green computing, AI-empowered connected vehicles, edge intelligence, cybersecurity, and next-generation wireless networks. He has published more than 10 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers.
UWM and the city of Milwaukee, he said, offered him an “ideal” place to continue his career.
“UWM has first-class scholars in electrical engineering, computer science and industrial engineering,” Shen says. “It is especially strong in embedded systems and IoT, which are the fields I have been interested in.
“Plus, Milwaukee is home to top manufacturing companies, which could offer the necessary partnerships to turn research outcomes into real-world applications. The avenues for collaboration are plentiful and I’m excited to be here.”
Eager to teach undergraduates, graduates
Shen enjoys teaching both graduate and undergraduate students and has taught courses related to AI, machine learning, digital systems, embedded systems, programming language, algorithms, cybersecurity, and computer networks.
“I am looking forward to helping students realize their potential as members of the creative community in engineering,” he says. “I always feel a sense of accomplishment when students obtain new knowledge and, more importantly, the habit of critical thinking and life-long learning.
“For me, teachers are not only responsible for conveying knowledge to students, but for conveying the methodology to apply the knowledge.”
Shen comes to UWM from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he recently completed his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He received a B.Sc. degree in Electronic and Information Engineering from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2016) and a M.Phil. degree in System Engineering and Engineering Management from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2018).
Contact Roger Shen
Email: shen8@uwm.edu
Temporary office: 584