SDSU Information Systems Student Receives $50K Grant to Conduct AI-Powered Research

November 27, 2024

Alex Kashkarian on the SDSU campusOpen the image full screen.
Alex Kashkarian on the SDSU campus

Breakdowns in an organization's computer networks — including devices such as Wi-Fi systems, firewalls, and routers — can compromise security, disrupt normal operations, and result in significant financial losses due to downtime and repairs. Therefore, it is essential for IT professionals to identify the risks of potential failures through proactive monitoring and maintenance strategies.

In an effort to determine those vulnerabilities, Alex Kashkarian, a senior majoring in information systems at San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business, is using an artificial intelligence-driven data analytics algorithm to locate network hardware that is at — or near — the end of its life. He recently secured a $50,000 grant from enterprise systems and services provider, MCA Corporation, where he also works as an intern — to support this project. 

MCA recently announced that Kashkarian’s research “will play a critical role in shaping MCA’s AI predictive maintenance tool, MCA.ai®,” which is designed to extend the life of network equipment by detecting hardware that is nearing the end of its life expectancy. 

Kashkarian discussed the grant, his internship and how his education at SDSU made it all possible. 

Q. What is your role at MCA and how did you land your internship?
A. I am currently interning with MCA as a research analyst. My research helps to create predictive models that optimize our operations and deliver valuable insight for decision making.

I learned about the internship during a local tech networking event I attended. When I inquired about potential openings, it led to further discussion and eventually resulted in my internship. 

Q. What steps did you take to secure the grant?
A. I identified a project that aligned with MCA’s goals by demonstrating its potential impact. I then developed a proposal that outlined the project’s innovation and the potential value of the data. After several rounds of review and discussions, I was awarded the grant. 

Q. What are some of the key milestones you hope to accomplish with this research?
A. We have to collect enough data to make accurate predictions on things such as failure rates, mean time between failures, and usage patterns. Once we reach this point, our findings will be used in the future by MCA to supplement the training for our predictive maintenance AI model, MCA.ai.

We are aiming to complete our research by then end of Q1 2025, or maybe sooner. 

Q. How are you applying the lessons you’ve learned at SDSU toward your research?
A. Working on class projects and learning about a broad range of topics has been pivotal in shaping my approach to research. The skills I’ve developed in the classroom — especially those involving problem-solving and team collaboration — gave me the experience I needed to pursue my research. 

One of my favorite classes is Gregory Oregon’s Information Systems Analysis and Design (MIS 306) class where I’m part of a student team that is currently collaborating with a local company to help them identify and solve network issues and streamline operations in a real-world setting. It’s a perfect example of the hands-on experience SDSU offers, and seeing the impact we make before we graduate is incredibly rewarding. 

Q. What are your plans after graduation next spring?
A. I plan to pursue an MBA to sharpen my business skills and leadership abilities and I’m currently applying to several universities (including SDSU). Afterward, I would like to contribute to a start-up where I can leverage technology to improve healthcare outcomes.

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