Arun-Kaarthick Manoharan, Ph.D.

Academic Interests and Expertise

• Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Wichita State University, May 2023                                           

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering- thesis (power system & controls), Wichita State University, January 2018                                            

• Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Anna University, India, May 2015                                                                                   

Publications

• Koester, J. Chavez, K. Crain, A.K. Manoharan, M. Tabassum, V. Aravinthan. “Smart Home: Interactive Demonstration Tool for Engineering Education and Outreach.” 2026 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting (Accepted).
• Alexander, S. Viththarachchige, P. Yoganathan, A.K. Manoharan, V. Aravinthan, and A. Tamimi. “Effects of PMU Bias Errors In System Inertia Estimation.” 2026 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, (Accepted).
• Viththarachchige , D. Alexander, A.K. Manoharan and V. Aravinthan. “Dynamic Load Modeling for Large Data Center Loads in Future Power Systems: System Perspective.” 2026 IEEE Green Technologies Conference.
• K. Manoharan, K.R. Pandi and V. Aravinthan. “Introducing Solar Energy to Next Generation Engineers: Summer Camp Design and Lessons Learned.” 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, July 2025.

Professional Experience

• Assistant Teaching Professor, Wichita State University, June 2023 – Present
• Teaching:
  • Electric Circuits 1
  • Senior Design 1
  • Senior Design 2
  • Power Electronics
  • Electric Machines and Transformers
  • Intro to Transport Electrification
  • Advanced machines for Transport Electrification

Awards and Honors

• Co-PI, “Adequacy and Security Enhancements for Electric Power Grid in the Presence of Data Centers,” $100,000, Sunflower Electric Corporation, 2026
• Co-PI, “Localized Online Inertia Estimation for Data Center Rich Power Grid,” $75,000, NYISO (Under review)
• PI, “Developing Project-based learning curriculum for Electric Circuits course”, Applied Learning Grant, Wichita State University, Spring 2026
• PI, “Building a mockup smart community, recruitment & outreach tool focusing on sustainability & energy management,” $105,000, National Institute of Student Success, 2024 – 2025
• Recipient of Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award, 2026
• Student Competitions Chair, 2025 IEEE Region 5 Annual Meeting and Student Competition
• The Nikola Tesla Award for Student Choice of Best Faculty, IEEE HKN, ECE department, Fall 2024
• Outstanding Young Engineer Award, Wichita Council of Engineering Societies, February 2024

Areas of Service

• Chair of the ECE Curriculum committee (Key responsibility: ABET Continuous Improvement process)
• Faculty advisor, IEEE Circuit and PCB Design club
• Director of Education Activities, IEEE Wichita Section
• Member, ECE Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Committee