USU Engineering Professor Wins Prestigious NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor Hongjie Wang received the prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation last week for his work on large-scale electrified transportation.

The CAREER award is given to early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models and to advance research in their areas. Wang has taught at Utah State University for the past four years and has quickly established himself as a leader in wireless power transfer systems and power electronics.

“I am excited to use this award as a way to address the significant gaps and design challenges for large-scale electrified transportation charging and provide sustainable large-scale EV charging solutions,” Wang said. “I look forward to using this grant to make significant strides that I might have otherwise not have been able to.”

The $500,000 CAREER grant will allow Wang to continue to advance the world of DC power distribution for accessible electrification and increase diversity, equity and inclusion in engineering. He also plans to use the grant to train the next generation of engineers to be prepared for the transformation of electrified transportation in the United States.

He credits his work with Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification, or ASPIRE, for supporting him to earn the award. ASPIRE is an NSF-funded research center working on electrification of vehicles and roadways.

“We plan to support the United States’ goal for net-zero emissions by 2050,” Wang said. “My research will also improve air quality, reduce GHG emissions and reduce costs to move people and goods.”

Wang’s research also explores high-performance power converter design, MV tied AC-DC power converters, cyber-physical security of power converters, battery management systems, and conductive and wireless charging for electric vehicles. He is a USU alumnus and a well-respected educator in his field.

“I would like to thank the tremendous amount of continued support from ASPIRE, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, the College of Engineering and USU,” Wang said.