The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers honors both research excellence and future potential through the organization’s Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid Award.

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University has established itself as a place where graduate students not only make innovative discoveries but also gain recognition for work with the potential to influence their industries.

Dr. Ardeshir Moftakhari, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, had two students on his research team earn Grant-in-Aid Awards, which provide $10,000 for one year for a student’s personal use.

Advancing heat-exchanger research 

Saqib Ayuob, an MAE Ph.D. student, received his ASHRAE award in spring 2024 while a graduate student. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D., which he expects to earn in the spring 2028 semester.

“When I found out, I was pretty excited, especially when Dr. Moftakhari told me that about 18 students are selected each year,” Ayuob said. “It’s a very fulfilling experience for me, and it was a moment I enjoyed very much.”

His expertise in heat exchangers using low-global-warming-potential fluids has advanced through this grant. Before receiving the funds, he was working on fabricating and manufacturing the experimental setup to test heat exchangers.

The scholarship helped Ayuob purchase a laptop for engineering modeling and cover research-related fees, allowing him to focus more fully on his work. Since receiving the award, he has tested heat exchangers and developed radiation-based condenser models for two-phase coolants as part of research on thermal systems for future lunar habitats, generating more precise data to strengthen his findings.

“It allows us to focus more on research and the goals we’re trying to accomplish,” Ayuob said.

Ayuob also credits his faculty mentor, Moftakhari, for fostering an environment that encourages questions and differing viewpoints.

“He is always very open to questions and opposing opinions,” Ayuob said. “Even when we disagree, it’s always an open conversation. He makes himself available whenever I need to meet.”

Improving the reliability and efficiency of data centers 

Jun Kyu Park, a Ph.D. MAE student expecting to graduate in the fall 2029 semester, said receiving the ASHRAE Grant-in-Aid Award gave him greater confidence in the value and direction of his research, especially coming from one of the most important professional organizations in the energy sector.

His research focuses on building energy systems, HVAC modeling and organization, and digital twin technologies for high-performance buildings and data centers.

“I am particularly interested in developing scalable modeling and control frameworks that can improve energy efficiency while maintaining reliable thermal conditions,” Park said.

These funds will support his doctoral research by allowing him to devote more time and resources to developing advanced modeling and control strategies for artificial intelligence data center cooling systems. They will also help support research-related activities such as software development, data analysis, conference participation and other academic development opportunities.

Park said the ability to enhance his research through this scholarship will make it more possible for him to achieve his career goals.

“My long-term career goal is to become a researcher and educator who contributes to the development of sustainable and intelligent building energy systems,” Park said. “I hope my work can help improve the energy efficiency and operational reliability of buildings and data centers, especially as cooling demand continues to increase with the growth of AI and high-performance computing.”

Park is thankful to ASHRAE and his mentors in MAE for their guidance and support, and he is grateful to have received the scholarship in hopes of making an impact in the field of building energy and HVAC systems research.

“Working with Dr. Moftakhari has been a very valuable experience,” Park said. “He provides strong guidance while also encouraging independent thinking and research ownership. His mentorship has helped me think more critically about research problems, improve the quality of my work, and better understand how to connect academic research with real-world engineering challenges.”

Moftakhari is extremely proud of the work of both students, showcasing the high-level talent not only on his research team but within CEAT.

"I am extremely proud of Jun and Saqib," Moftakhari said. "The ASHRAE Grant-in-Aid is a prestigious, nationally recognized honor, and having two students receive awards within my first three years at OSU is a meaningful achievement for my research group. Seeing multiple students earn this recognition is especially rewarding because it demonstrates the quality and growing national visibility of the research being conducted by our students at OSU and the Center for Integrated Building Systems."