Soonha Hwang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
PI: Naresh Shanbhag
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2028
Tell us a bit about your background. What led you to pursue your current field of study?
I’m a Third Culture Kid, having lived in Korea, Singapore, and the USA. My diverse experiences and exposure to different cultures inspired my interest in technology and problem-solving. Serving as a UN Peacekeeper in South Sudan gave me strong desire to make technological advancements accessible to everyone worldwide. This passion led me to pursue semiconductor design, one of the most advanced fields today, yet still unavailable to many in developing countries. I envision a future where everyone has access to the latest technology.
How does your research focus support the mission of CoCoSys?
My research focus is on In-Memory Computing, and I believe this is very closely related to the mission of CoCoSys. With my contribution, I would like to accelerate the next generation of AI.
What’s a recent accomplishment or project you are particularly proud of?
I am very proud of our group’s achievements of benchmarking in-memory architecture. This was a very important task to identify the trends and innovations in this exciting field.
What have you learned from your advisor Naresh Shanbhag (Theme 1 Leader) that has been particularly valuable for your PhD journey?
Professor Shanbhag is a great mentor in both life and academics. From him, I’ve learned discipline, hard work, and organization, which have greatly shaped my personal development. Academically, he has taught me the importance of rigorous research, innovative thinking, and staying current with technological advancements, significantly deepening my understanding in my field.
What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
My short-term goal is to develop an efficient and effective chip based on In-Memory Computing to address many of humanity’s current challenges. In the long run, I aspire to start my own company to make a significant positive impact on our planet—and perhaps even on other planets if we successfully colonize them
For fun: If you could have any technology-related superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have any technology-related superpower, it would be the ability to interface with and understand any electronic device around me.