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Levent Burak Kara is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, where he also holds a courtesy appointment at the Robotics Institute. His research focuses on new computational analysis, design, and manufacturing technologies across a wide range of applications including space, mechanical CAD, topology optimization, additive manufacturing, electronics design, and bio-engineering. He combines principles of machine learning, optimization, and geometric modeling to develop innovative computational software that enhances next-generation design systems. His recent projects emphasize the role of machine learning in streamlining traditionally tedious and costly design processes. Notably, he has explored deep learning techniques to replace expensive structural simulations and has leveraged reinforcement learning in electronic chip design. Kara is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the National Science Foundation Career Award and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Design Automation Society Young Investigator Award. Additionally, he is actively involved in education, teaching courses related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, engineering design, linear algebra, and vector calculus. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University and Carnegie Mellon University, respectively.
Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.