Undergraduates Become Published IEEE Authors, Showcasing Innovation and Academic Excellence

Alabama A&M electrical engineering students recently earned national recognition after presenting peer-reviewed research at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026, hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization.

The conference brought together engineering professionals, researchers and students from across the Southeast to share cutting-edge research and technological innovation. Among them, three AAMU seniors — Hidalgo Mudonhi of Glendale, Zimbabwe; Goodwill-Munashe Kwenda of Gweru, Zimbabwe; and Isaac Anokye of Accra, Ghana — stood out as the University’s only undergraduate research team represented at the conference.

Their work, “Enhanced MIT Coffee Can Radar with Integrated Infrared Imaging for Target Detection and Classification for Experiential Learning Platform,” was accepted through a competitive peer-review process, a distinction rarely achieved at the undergraduate level. As a result, the students are now published authors with IEEE, placing them among emerging scholars typically recognized later in graduate or professional careers.

The project advances a low-cost, modular radar system by integrating software-defined radio technology with infrared imaging to improve target detection and classification. Designed as an experiential learning platform, the system bridges theory and hands-on application, demonstrating the students’ ability to produce meaningful, real-world engineering solutions.

“This achievement reflects not only the talent and discipline of our students, but also the strength and forward momentum of our program,” said Delores P. Baker, instructor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “For undergraduates to meet IEEE’s rigorous standards and present alongside graduate students, faculty and industry professionals speaks volumes about their preparation and the quality of training they receive at Alabama A&M.”

Participation in IEEE SoutheastCon provided the students with early exposure to professional research environments, networking opportunities and the expectations of the global engineering community. Their presence at the conference signals the growing impact of AAMU’s College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences and its commitment to developing highly competitive graduates.

For these students, the experience also marks a transition into promising professional careers. After graduation, Anokye will join the West Virginia Department of Transportation as a transportation engineer. Kwenda will begin his career as an electrical engineer with Kiewit in Kansas City. Mudonhi will join a leading investment firm based in Dallas as an analyst, focusing on identifying and mitigating technology and operational risks.

“For us, this was more than presenting a paper — it was stepping into the professional engineering community and proving that our work belongs there,” said Mudonhi.

Anokye echoed that sentiment, noting the significance of the experience for undergraduate researchers. “Being recognized as IEEE authors at this stage in our careers shows what is possible at Alabama A&M, and it pushes us to aim even higher.”

From left, Isaac Anokye, Hidalgo Mudonhi, Goodwill-Munashe Kwenda