A Passion Found - Yishen Jin finds love of engineering in graduate school

Throughout her life, Yishen Jin has taken change in stride. Born and raised in China, she spent the last several years at Ohio State, first as an undergraduate, and then as a graduate student. "Columbus became my second hometown," she says. Along with geographic changes, Jin experienced her fair share of academic adjustments as well. Though she received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Management Information Systems, a transformative internship introduced her to computer science, which she realized is more than just coding.

In Jin's view, "This industry is developing rapidly. People talk about cloud computing, machine learning, and neural networks. Computer science offers a flexible toolset that can be applied to real problems in many fields." With her eyes open to exciting new possibilities, she decided to continue her studies at OSU by enrolling in the computer science master's program. She counts her transition to the field as one of her proudest achievements - and rightfully so. "Engineering is one of the most rewarding careers," she insists, "but nothing worth having comes easy. As technology develops, engineers can never stop learning, so it's important to keep passionate for new knowledgeand always take an analytical mind to solving problems."

Jin's association with the SIMCenter gave her ample opportunity to do so. Working with senior researchers, Jin helped develop an open-source software tool for the verification and validation of algorithms belonging to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The tool combines the software SUMo (Simulation of Urban Mobility) and Unreal Engine to build a virtual 3D environment in which simulated autonomous vehicles can be tested for their safety performance and other critical requirements. Moreover, the tool's open-source nature means that anyone can use it to develop and run their own tests, with all the results being added

to an ever-expanding database. As a result, the tool is expected to be continuously enhanced by community participation and collective competition. The relative cost-effectiveness of using the tool, rather than paying for software licenses, is another benefit that will make it an attractive option for both individuals and companies alike.

The experience of helping make this tool a reality was pivotal for Jin. "I've learned to work hard and keep a humble spirit," she says, referring to her time at OSU and the SIMCenter. After receiving her master's degree, she plans to continue doing so by getting a job in the industrial field and putting what she's learned into practice.