Doctoral student awarded ISE department assistantship
Published: Mar 6, 2025 1:25 PM
By Carla Nelson
Auburn University industrial and systems engineering (ISE) doctoral student Madison Evans has been awarded the annual Dr. Saeed Maghsoodloo Assistantship, recognizing the vital contributions of graduate teaching assistants (GTA) in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
A native of Atlanta, Evans chose to pursue industrial and systems engineering due to its versatility and broad career opportunities.
“I was looking for an engineering discipline that had many different kinds of interesting jobs to give me more choices in the future,” Evans said. “I also attended a class with a friend and really liked the encouraging atmosphere of the professor. Once I was in the program, I fell in love with the search for efficiency and desire to improve different systems.”
Evans’ current research, led by Greg Purdy, ISE associate professor, focuses on cyber-physical security for manufacturing systems, exploring how cyber-originated attacks can result in physical damage, such as part destruction, tool breakage or even machine destruction.
“We are currently working on creating the framework for a cyber-physical manufacturing range so that we can research attacks without damaging the physical machines,” Evans said.
Evans expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, crediting faculty support for her nomination.
“I am so honored that Dr. Purdy did all the work to nominate me for this award. I am also so honored to be recognized by the department,” she said. “I have really enjoyed being able to expand and develop my teaching skills and knowledge through a variety of different positions over the years.”
Purdy praised Evans for her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to students.
“Madison is an outstanding student leader who is involved in a variety of service activities," Purdy said. "Collectively, her experiences exemplify the balanced excellence expected of the recipient of the Maghsoodloo Award. She constantly goes above and beyond to help her colleagues and students improve their work.”
Throughout her time as a GTA, Evans has contributed to multiple courses, including Systems Engineering, Simulation, and Manufacturing 2, working alongside Purdy and also serving as the instructor of record for Simulation.
Purdy said Evans is gifted in the classroom and has excelled at every teaching assignment.
“In each of these settings, she has been a fantastic contributor and helped develop new content to provide the best experience for the students," he said. "She constantly goes above and beyond what is asked of a GTA.”
Evans said she enjoys building relationships with students, which has allowed her to help them inside and outside of the classroom.
"It’s rewarding to help students develop new ways to approach problems and ideas,” she said.
After completing her doctoral degree, Evans aspires to secure a tenure-track faculty position at a research-based institution.
“I love our faculty, staff and students in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department,” she said. “When you tour Auburn, they talk a lot about how it is the ‘Auburn Family’ instead of nation or fans. I think everyone in our department contributes to making it feel like the Auburn Family. I have learned so much from everyone here and will carry these memories and lessons with me for a lifetime.”
The Dr. Saeed Maghsoodloo Assistantship is named in honor of the longtime Auburn ISE professor, celebrating graduate students who demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentorship. Evans’ selection highlights her dedication to education and the Auburn Engineering community.
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-740-0221
A native of Atlanta, Madison Evans chose to pursue industrial and systems engineering due to its versatility and broad career opportunities.
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