Prof. Yue Cao Energy Systems Group @ OSU

 

Why OSU/Corvallis is Attractive

Some pictures to start with (people in China please use VPN):
Corvallis: click here; Oregon Coast: click here; Portland: click here; Bend: click here

I gave lots of thoughts on OSU and Corvallis before I decided to choose here as my permanent faculty career home. It was not initially obvious to me this place was the best for me and my research group to land in, but over the course of the last few years during which I researched a lot about the place and experienced in person at different seasons, I have accumulated faith in OSU/Corvallis to be the best place to grow in and become strongly dedicated myself to our group's future here. I hope some of my observations, while as objective as possible, help you understand the values here.

         Where is Corvallis

About the strategic location

When I chose among different graduate schools as a student, I did not emphasize enough on the location factor, but that is something I wish I knew more back then (especially lacking such information as an international student). After all, you will spend 4-5 years (if Ph.D.) at a location that will shape your career path and life style. On the professional development side, I think OSU and Oregon have key advantages to help us develop a strong power electronics and energy systems research program (especially high power) in the Pacific Northwest US and the entire West Coast. Industry in renewable energy, electric vehicles, more electric aircraft, data centers, along with emerging integrated technology in autonomy, big data, machine learning, and cyber security, has boomed much in California, Oregon, and Washington. Yet higher education programs in high power electronics and energy systems have not caught up the race on the West Coast. Fact: upon graduation, most of my graduate school colleagues moved West from Mid-west and East coast, but isn't it better if industry can collaborate in research and recruit students locally (on the West coast)?

OSU in the fall

About the university and the greater power group

Already the flagship engineering university in Oregon, OSU is also a top institute in the Pacific Northwest and a member of the renowned PAC12 schools. Given the regional booming industry support, nearby national labs and government agencies, as well as liberal policies in energy fields, our research group has no reason not growing strong and nurturing next generation talents. Within the greater Energy Systems Group in EECS, current and former Profs. Brekken, Cotilla-Sanchez, Von Jouanne, J. Zhang have worked hard to create a diverse portfolio of research projects and build up the world famous WESRF energy research center. We are one of the three US universities owning large scale power experimental facilities that operate at 100's kW levels. A wide range of courses offered in power electronics, power systems, machines and drives, EV, and smart grids, etc. ensure to solidify your fundamental knowledge. OSU Electrical Engineering USnews ranking is about #50-55 nationally (this ranking is through a paid subscription list that's not free to public). For a "power" program ranking, we estimate OSU at top 15 nationally and top 3 on the west coast. Perhaps a more research-relevant ranking is by National Science Foundation's (NSF) annual research funding awards (https://dellweb.bfa.nsf.gov/Top50Inst2/default.asp), which directly measures a university's research activities and quality. OSU has been steadily ranked among the top 10 over the years, and oftentimes beats the big named schools.

        WESRF

About the state of Oregon

Oregon has been among top 3 and sometimes the top move-in state (by CNN) since last few years, and there must be compelling reasons behind. I can think of the following: job growth, weather, cost of living, and safety. Already mentioned above, the high-tech jobs are moving west, but with the high cost of living in California, many jobs are shifting to pacific northwest (and Seattle is already getting very expensive), leaving greater Portland and Willamette Valley very attractive in this regard. An extra attractive point to students is the zero sales tax, helping you to lower living expenses by 8-10%. With distinct 4 seasons, Oregon is beautiful year round, cool in the summer while mild in the winter. And, there are leaf color changes in the fall and once or twice snow each year, although you will see green almost all year round. Yes I admit the winter rain part (hey skiers/snowboarders this means powder days in the mountain!), but there are never hurricanes, tornadoes, huge thunderstorms or snow storms, extreme cold or hot weather - basically, Oregon has fewest natural disasters (by New York Times), and the low home insurance speaks of this. What about earthquakes? Possible, but Corvallis sits at the least impact zone (by USGS) on the west coast. 

About the city of Corvallis

Let's not forget talking about our town Corvallis. The name is Greek meaning "core of valley" or "heart of valley". The city founders were smart because Corvallis is probably among the few spots in the Willamette Valley that are close to both mountains and the Willamette River. On top of that, the coast is 1 hour going west, Eugene is 1 hour going south, Cascades mountain (hiking/skiing) is 2 hours going east, and Portland is 1.5 hours going north. No doubt the natural beauty, easy city access, and minimal crime rates set the peace of mind (see Farmers Insurance safety ranking). The cultural richness of Corvallis is also hard to beat. In this college town, the diverse student body creates endless opportunities to explore your passion, whether it is sports, arts, or professional interests. The diversity has resulted an increasing amount of ethnic restaurants, groceries, and fun activities, especially in the recent years. Although always rated as a top college town (by Forbes), Corvallis is actually considered as a suburb in my view. A usually clean drive of 1 hour to Eugene and 1.5 hours to Portland is not that longer than Naperville to Chicago or Everett to Seattle (with traffic), for example. The daily 10-15 min local commute easily offsets for a weekend trip to Portland or saves up time for you to explore interests.

Two short campus videos

left: winter snow 1-2 times a year but beautiful, right: spring flowers from March to June nonstop