Dayoung Kim, Ph.D. & LAB-IREEN
Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech
LABoratory for
Innovative and REsponsible ENgineering workforce
LAB-IREEN (LABoratory for Innovative and REsponsible ENgineering workforce) is a research group at Virginia Tech, led by Dr. Dayoung Kim. The primary mission of the LAB-IREEN is to conduct transformative research that guides the development of an innovative and responsible engineering workforce. The group's work spans a diverse array of topics aligned with its mission, including technology entrepreneurship, industry-academia partnerships, educational/training and ethical implications of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, and advanced manufacturing, workforce development policy, and lifelong learning and career pathways of engineering practitioners.
LAB-IREEN takes inspiration from Irene, the Greek goddess of peace and prosperity, symbolizing our commitment to fostering an innovative and responsible engineering workforce that advances both technology and society.
Current Members
Bailey McOwen
Bailey McOwen is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech as well as a master’s student in the Engineering Administration program of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. She is currently an Assistant Director of the LABoratory for Innovative and REsponsible ENgineering workforce (LAB-IREEN). Her academic career began in physics at Canisius University before transitioning to industrial engineering at St. Mary’s University. Bailey’s research focuses on workforce development, specifically the continued professional training of engineering practitioners, engineering ethics in practice, and the application of emerging technologies in professional education. Through her research, service, and academic work, she aims to bridge engineering education and industry needs to support ethical engineering and lifelong learning practices across diverse engineering pathways.
Emad Ali
Emad Ali is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence in engineering education with particular emphasis on its ethical implications. He holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Embedded Systems, from the Information Technology University (ITU Lahore), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Avionics Engineering from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. He has worked as TA of multiple undergraduate and graduate courses during his Masters in ITU and as a Lecturer in the Superior University in Lahore. He aims to contribute to the advancement of educational practices in engineering by addressing both the opportunities and challenges presented by the emerging technologies.
Arsalan Ashraf
Arsalan Ashraf is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. His research interests include AI ethics, ethics and social responsibility, and lifelong learning. He has broad experience in academia and industry, which motivates him to do research on these vibrant areas. He is a first-generation student from a small village in Punjab, Pakistan. He completed his B.S. in Aviation Management from Lahore in 2017, and then worked in the aviation industry. After gaining experience, he changed his career path and went to academia as a lecturer at The University of Faisalabad in 2022. He joined Virginia Tech in the fall of 2024.
Aaroh Swarup
Aaroh Swarup is a Ph.D. student, working as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in engineering education, workforce development, the integration of emerging technologies to support lifelong learning, and measurement techniques to assess lifelong learning. He has prior experience as Head of International Affairs at the Indian Society for Trenchless Technology, where he led educational programs and international collaborations. Aaroh holds a Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Deenbandhu Chhoturam University of Science and Technology, India. He is passionate about bridging research, education, and practice to advance responsible AI adoption in both academic and professional settings.
Kabiru Okegbenro
Kabiru Okegbenro is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. He completed his BTech in Industrial and Technology Education (Building Technology) and MS in Technology Education (Building and Woodwork Technology). His research focuses on workforce development, particularly the role of AI in transforming educational practices and professional training. Through his research and community engagement, he aims to bridge the gap between engineering education and workforce needs, promoting ethical and inclusive lifelong learning pathways for diverse engineering professionals.