Hi, I am Md Doulotuzzaman Xames ("James")!
I am a PhD Candidate in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. I work as a Research Assistant in the Sociotechnical Systems Engineering Lab, and I am advised by Dr. Taylan G. Topcu.
My research focuses on human-centered digital twins for intelligent, resilient, and equitable sociotechnical systems.
I integrate systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and human factors to understand and improve human-in-the-loop sociotechnical systems. I combine model-based systems engineering, simulation, machine learning, optimization, and qualitative inquiry to develop trustworthy decision-support systems for complex and safety-critical domains, including healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and transportation.
Education
PhD, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2022-2026
MS, Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2022-2025
BS, Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), 2013-2017
NEWS & UPDATES
[October 2026] I presented a part of my dissertation work at the PhD Seminar Showcase organized by the Engineering Society of Systems Scholars (ESSyS).
[July 2026] Our work on personalized machine learning for human-in-the-loop workload prediction is accepted for presentation at the 2026 AI4SE & SE4AI Research and Application Workshop, 22-23 September, Washington, DC.
[April 2026] I received the Outstanding Graduate Student Leader Award 2026 from Virginia Tech's Student Engagement and Campus Life.
[April 2026] Our paper on sociotechnical barriers of digital engineering is now published in Systems Engineering.
[March 2026] I received the College of Engineering Outstanding PhD Student Award 2026 from Virginia Tech.
[February 2026] I received the Outstanding PhD Student Award 2026 from the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech for the second consecutive year.
[February 2026] Our paper on model-based systems engineering (MBSE) for digital twins for human-in-the-loop systems is accepted at the Conference on Systems Engineering Research (CSER) 2026, 6-9 April, Arlington, VA.
[February 2026] I attended the NSF Industry–University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) Digital Twin Research, Innovation & Collaboration Hub (DT-RICH) planning meeting in Alexandria, VA.
[January 2026] My commentary on the need for systems engineering leadership in healthcare systems was published in Learning Health Systems.
IN PICTURES