Predicting Neurite Deterioration using MetaFormer Attention
Neurodevelopment Disorder Modeling
Biomimetic Neuron Growth with CNN
SRL-assisted AFM:
Supervised and reinforcement learning-assisted advancing front method
Honda Project
Volumetric Spline Generation for Automobile Applications
Selected Projects
Satellite LLM - Multi-modal Large Language Model for Satellite Map Feature Extraction and Remote Sensing
Leveraging LLM reasoning capability to provide sophisticated feature extraction and analysis from satellite imagery. Delivered large-scale map feature extractor for NA to improve Amazon delivery success rate and reduce logistic costs.
DNN-driven ML Model of Metal Printability Evaluation for Heat Exchangers (Jan. 2023 – Present)
Developed an APDL residual deformation automation script for enhanced additive manufacturing (AM) design risk assessments (geometric compensation-based) with arbitrary geometry handling capability.
Delivered the DNN-based surrogate model (> 95% accuracy) for heat exchanger residual deformation mitigation (based on 5833 APDL simulations on HPC) tool for novice AM users at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
Low-cost, Portable Breast Tumor Detection (Sep. 2020 – Present)
Developed optical imaging methods to detect tumors using spatial frequency domain imaging technique (accurate with R2 = 0.992), significantly improving early-stage diagnosis for breast tumors.
Performed parametric simulations on ANSYS Workbench to model large deformations in soft tissues, effectively simulating tissue mechanics (Young’s modulus as low as 4 kPa).
Hexahedral-dominant Mesh Generation for Automotive Applications (Oct. 2019 - Present)
Developed a semi-automatic, polycube-based all-hex mesh generation (min Jacob > 0.2) from CAD models, enhancing hybrid IGA-FEA analysis with a 30%~80% reduction in degrees of freedom, increasing computational efficiency.
Provided Honda R&D with engineered volumetric spline models of engine mounts, directly contributing to up to 50% improvement in the computation of simulations used in safety evaluations and design optimizations.
Supervised and Reinforcement Learning-assisted Mesh Generation (June. 2023 – Sep. 2023)
Engineered an advanced mesh generation method using supervised and reinforcement learning (> 98% accuracy) to replace the advancing front method and improve meshing quality (min Jacobian >0.6) with abstract targets as rewards functions (EP spacing, element sizing, sharp feature preservations).
All-Hexahedral Mesh Construction for Heterogeneous Domains (Jun. 2023 – Aug. 2023)
Engineered advanced octree-based iso-contouring hexahedral mesh generation code, incorporating local optimization techniques that successfully eliminated negative Jacobians, enhancing mesh quality and analysis stability.
Provided the Cao Research Lab at Northwestern University with optimized mesh models featuring pillowed layers, enabling ABAQUS analysis of heterogeneous microstructures comprising of more than 60 grains. This collaboration significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of material behavior simulations.
Analysis-suitable T-spline for Honda Automobile Applications (July. 2020 – Mar. 2022)
Developed a T-spline that allows multiple extraordinary points per face (~40-90x less DOFs than FEA).
Delivered B-pillar and car side-panel models to Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (> 5 times convergence rate improvements).
Performance Racing Horseshoe using Metal Additive Manufacturing (Jan. 2019 – May. 2019)
Conducted topology optimization simulations and validated structure integrity (deformation < 31 microns).
Manufactured topology-optimized hollow horseshoes (58% weight reduction) for racing horses with Ti64 using EOS LPBF at a fraction of the cost compared to commercial high-performance footwear.
Publications
K. Qian, Y. He, M. Moustafa. Vision-Language Models for Building Polygon Extraction from Satellite Imagery. Under review.
K. Qian, M. Moustafa. Edge Length Loss for Improved Building Polygon Extraction. The 4th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Spatial Big Data and AI for Industrial Applications, 2025. Best Paper Award.
K. Qian, Y. J. Zhang. 3D neuron growth model using truncated hierarchical B-splines with multi-level local refinements. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 442, 118003, 2025.
K. Qian, G. O. Suarez, T. Nambara, T. Kanekiyo, Y. J. Zhang. High-throughput machine learning framework for predicting neurite deterioration using MetaFormer attention. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 442, 118003, 2025.
K. Qian, G. O. Suarez, T. Nambara, T. Kanekiyo, A. S. Liao, V. A. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Neurodevelopmental Disorders Modeling using Isogeometric Analysis, Dynamic Domain Expansion and Local Refinement. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 433: 117534, 2025.
C. M. Robbins, K Qian, Y. J. Zhang, J. M. Kainerstorfer. Monte Carlo simulation of spatial frequency domain imaging for breast tumors during compression. Journal of Biomedical Optics 29 (9), 096001-096001, 2024.
K. Qian, A. Liao, S. Gu, V. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Biomimetic IGA Neuron Growth Modeling with Neurite Morphometric Features and CNN-Based Prediction. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, A Special Issue in Honor of the Lifetime Achievements of T. J. R. Hughes, 116213, 2023.
H. Tong, K. Qian, E. Halilaj, Y. J. Zhang. SRL-Assisted AFM: Generating Planar Unstructured Quadrilateral Meshes with Supervised and Reinforcement Learning-Assisted Advancing Front Method. Journal of Computational Science, 72:102109, 2023.
K. Qian, A. Pawar, A. Liao, C. Anitesco, V. Webster-Wood, A. W. Feinberg, T. Rabczuk, Y. J. Zhang. Modeling Neuron Growth Using Isogeometric Collocation Based Phase Field Method. Scientific Reports, 12:8120, 2022.
Y. Yu, K. Qian, H. Yang, L. Yao, Y. J. Zhang. Hybrid IGA-FEA of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites for Forward Design of AI-Enabled 4D Printing. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence in Advanced Manufacturing Processes, 302:117497, 2022.
X. Wei, X. Li, K. Qian, T. J.R. Hughes, Y. J. Zhang, H. Casquero. Analysis-suitable Unstructured T-splines: Multiple Extraordinary Points Per Face. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 391:114494, 2022.
H. Yang, D. Luo, K. Qian, L. Yao. Freeform Fabrication of Fluidic Edible Materials. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-10, 2021.
H. Yang, K. Qian, H. Liu, Y. Yu, J. Gu, M. McGehee, Y. J. Zhang, L. Yao. SimuLearn: Fast and Accurate Simulator to Support Morphing Materials Design and Workflows. Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, 71-84, 2020.
Y. Yu, H. Liu, K. Qian, H. Yang, M. McGehee, J. Gu, D. Luo, L. Yao, Y. J. Zhang. Material Characterization and Precise Finite Element Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites for 4D Printing. Computer-Aided Design, 122:102817, 2020.
K. Qian, Z. Wen, M. Wu, S. Singh, A. Sinha. Computational Fluid Dynamics Studies of Slag Entrapment in Continuous Casting Process. Proceedings of the 2020 Iron & Steel Technology Conference, 1004-1017, 2020.
Conference Abstracts & Presentations
K. Qian, M. Moustafa. Edge Length Loss for Improved Building Polygon Extraction. The 4th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Spatial Big Data and AI for Industrial Applications, 2025.
K. Qian, V. A. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Investigating neurodevelopmental disorders using innovative IGA, dynamic domain expansion, local refinement and deep learning: Part I. 12th International Conference on IsoGeometric Analysis 2024, St. Augustine, Florida. October 27-30, 2024.
K. Qian, V. A. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Investigating neurodevelopmental disorders using innovative IGA, dynamic domain expansion, local refinement and deep learning: Part II. 12th International Conference on IsoGeometric Analysis 2024, St. Augustine, Florida. October 27-30, 2024.
K. Qian, A. Liao, S. Gu, V. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Biomimetic IGA neuron growth modeling with neurite morphometric features and CNN-based prediction. 17th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Albuquerque, New Mexico. July 23-27, 2023.
H. Tong, K. Qian, E. Halilaj, Y. J. Zhang. SRL-Assisted AFM: Generating Planar Unstructured Quadrilateral Meshes with Supervised and Reinforcement Learning-Assisted Advancing Front Method. 17th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Albuquerque, New Mexico. July 23-27, 2023.
K. Qian, A. Pawar, A. S. Liao, C. Anitescu, V. A. Webster-Wood, A. W. Feinberg, T. Rabczuk, and Y. J. Zhang. Modeling Neuron Growth Using Isogeometric Collocation Based Phase Field Method. 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM-XV) & 8th Asian Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics (APCOM-VIII), Yokohama, Japan, July 31 – August 5, 2022.
D. Luo, H. Yang, M. Khurana, K. Qian, L. Yao. Demonstrating Freeform Fabrication of Fluidic Edible Materials. Extended Abstracts of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-4, 2021.
K. Qian, A. Pawar, A. S. Liao, C. Anitescu, T. Rabczuk, V. A. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Modeling Multi-Neuron Biomimetic Growth Stages using Isogeometric Collocation and Phase Field Model. Virtual International Conference on Isogeometric Analysis 2021. Lyon, France. Sep 26-29, 2021.
K. Qian, A. Pawar, A. S. Liao, C. Anitescu, T. Rabczuk, V. A. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Modeling Multi-Neuron Biomimetic Growth Stages using Isogeometric Collocation and Phase Field Model. 16th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Chicago, Illinois. June 25-29, 2021.
Posters
K. Qian, V. Webster-Wood, Y. J. Zhang. Isogeometric Analysis with Dynamic Domain Expansion and Truncated Hierarchical B-splines to Model Neurodevelopmental Atrophy. 2024 Carnegie Mellon University Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. Graduate Research Symposium, Mar 1, 2024.
K. Qian, X. Liang, L. White, C. Oh, M. Chen, G. Zhang, J. Cagan, A. D. Rollett, Y. J. Zhang. Residual Deformation Learning and Mitigation by Design for Metal Component Printability Enhancement. 17th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jul 25, 2023.
H. Tong, K. Qian, E. Halilaj, Y. J. Zhang. SRL-Assisted AFM: Generating Planar Unstructured Quadrilateral Meshes with Supervised and Reinforcement Learning-Assisted Advancing Front Method. 17th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jul 25, 2023.
Y. Yu, H. Liu, K. Qian, H. Yang, M. McGehee, J. Gu, D. Luo, L. Yao, Y. J. Zhang. Material Characterization and Precise Finite Element Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites for 4D Printing. NextManufacturing Center Expo, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jan 18, 2020.
H, Yang, K. Qian, H. Liu, Y. Yu, J. Gu, M. McGehee, Y. J. Zhang. SimuLearn: Machine Learning-Empowered Simulation and Forward-Design Tool for Morphing Material. Manufacturing Future Initiative Forum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Apr 29, 2019.
Fellowships & Awards
Best Paper Award (Nov 2025)
Best paper award for the 4th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Spatial Big Data and AI for Industrial Applications
Bradford and Diane Smith Graduate Fellowship 2023 (Feb 2023)
Fellowship established to help support the graduate studies of highly deserving students in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University
WCCM-APCOM Travel Award 2022 (July 2022)
Travel Award for the 15th World Congress on Computation Mechanics & 8th Asian Pacific Congress on Computation Mechanics
NSF MMLDT-CSET 2021 Fellowship (July 2021)
NSF Fellowship for attending Mechanistic Machine Learning and Digital Twins for Computational Science, Engineering & Technology
Ronald F. and Janice A. Zollo Fellowship (Jan 2021)
Fellowship established to help support the graduate studies of highly deserving College of Engineering graduate students whose research is related to neuroscience or neuroengineering