Aathira Karuvaril Vijayan received her bachelor of technology in electrical and electronics engineering from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 2008, and her master of technology in industrial drives and control from Mahatma Gandhi University in 2011. She then spent eight years as an assistant professor at Calicut University, later known as APJ Abdul Kalam Kerala Technological University. In May 2021, Aathira joined Dr. Ali Emadi’s group at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) as a Ph.D. student in electrical and computer engineering. Her research focuses on motor control, electric vehicles, and transportation electrification. She is currently developing control algorithms for permanent magnet synchronous motors to improve the efficiency of electric powertrains.
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Aathira Karuvaril Vijayan has always been drawn to mathematics and physics, which naturally led her to electrical engineering. During her bachelor’s studies, she built a working digital energy meter and designed a capacitor bank for the Kerala State Electricity Board, to improve power factor. In her master’s program, she explored power electronics and designed a dc-dc converter for her thesis, which won the IEEE-IAS Annual Master Thesis Competition. She graduated with university-level academic ranks in both her undergraduate and graduate programs.
Beyond academics, Aathira served as chairwoman of the IEEE-IAS student chapter at her college, gaining experience in leadership and event organization. She received the Outstanding Student Volunteer Award for IEEE Region 10 (Asia-Pacific).
Driven by a passion for learning and teaching, she spent eight years as an assistant professor at Calicut University (now APJ Abdul Kalam Kerala Technological University), deepening her expertise in electric drives and power converters. Seeking to contribute more directly to transportation electrification research, Aathira joined McMaster University as a Ph.D. student, where she continues to pursue her work in electric vehicles and power electronics.
