Girma Tewolde

Girma Tewolde
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Professor

Phone

gtewolde@kettering.edu

Professor of Computer Engineering

Professor Girma Tewolde started at Kettering in 2002. His broad research interests are in the areas of Computer Engineering, specifically in embedded systems, intelligent mobile robotics, autonomous and connected vehicles, AI, sensor networks, and IoT. Current projects focus on both the development of conventional and AI-based approaches for the perception and control of autonomous and connected vehicles, as well as the application of these techniques to enhance the safety, performance, and robustness of such systems against real-world challenges. He is also passionate about advancing excellence in teaching and learning, e.g., pedagogy, student engagement, and increasing access to education in the field of computer engineering through summer camp programs and other outreach efforts. 

Through his research activities and collaborations across campus, Girma serves as the director of the Autonomous and Connected Mobility (ACM) Lab. He is also an active member of the IEEE professional organization and the IEEE-HKN honor society.

Additionally, Girma serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Kettering AutoDrive Team and the Quanser Self-Driving Car Student Competition Team.

Education

Ph.D. 2008, Oakland University
M.Eng. Sci. 1995, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
B.Sc. 1992, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Embedded computer systems
  • Mobile robotics
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Vehicular communications (V2X)
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
     

Research Profile

I am passionate about teaching and research.   I love the small class sizes at Kettering, which allow me to get to know my students well and offer them help or advice when they need it.  The students gain practical co-op experiences, making it easy to connect the theoretical studies in the classroom to real-world applications.

Kettering students are very respectful, smart, confident, and bring a great deal of real-world experience that when I teach a class or talk to them in the hallway I am always learning something new that I did not know before. So, I believe education at Kettering is a mutual experience, both for the students and professors.
 

I love to spend time outdoors with family - hiking, running, playing soccer, and enjoying sports and music that my kids are participating in.