Soolyeon Cho, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Research, Doctoral Programs and Global Engagement; Professor of Architecture; Director of Building Energy Technology Lab (BETlab)
Brooks Hall 200C
Bio
Education
- Ph.D. in Architecture (Building Science & Engineering), Texas A&M University
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Systems), Texas A&M University
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Ulsan, South Korea
Biography
In 2011, Dr. Cho joined the architecture faculty at NC State University after teaching building energy and technology courses in the Master of Science in Sustainable Design (MSSD) program at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC for three years.
Dr. Cho’s expertise lies in energy modeling and performance simulation for sustainable building design and development. He teaches courses in Energy Modeling & Simulation, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, and Building Energy Optimization. His research and work experience encompasses energy savings calculation, high-performance building design, energy-efficient systems design, renewable energy systems integration, and Performance Measurement and Verification (M&V).
Dr. Cho’s research is interdisciplinary and involves architectural, environmental, and engineering subjects to design and develop a sustainable built environment. He extensively employs energy modeling and simulation technologies, notably the advanced program EnergyPlus developed by the US DOE. These technologies help predict potential energy benefits from the early design phases through the life of a building, facilitating optimal design/development decisions in terms of energy efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort conditions. Dr. Cho also utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) technologies to develop algorithms for optimal controls of HVAC and energy systems.
In 2020-2021, Dr. Cho served as the president of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA, https://www.ksea.org/), the most prestigious professional organization representing Korean-American scientists and engineers in the US. With over 30,000 professional members, many holding doctoral degrees and working in academia and research institutes, KSEA is recognized for its commitment to excellence. The organization hosts over 300 regional, national, and international events annually, making it a key player in promoting collaboration and advancing research in the field.
Currently, Dr. Cho holds the position of Associate Dean of Research, Doctoral Programs, and Global Engagement at the College of Design. He also directs the Building Energy Technology Lab (BETlab, https://research.design.ncsu.edu/betlab/), a research group focused on Building Energy Technologies and Design Issues related to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy in buildings for the development of a Sustainable Built Environment.
Focus Areas
• Building Energy Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization
• Building Performance Measurement & Verification (M&V)
• HVAC Control Optimization using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) technologies
• Sustainable (High-Performance) Building Design
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) & Performance Monitoring
• Energy Efficiency & Renewable
Professional Experience
2011–pres. Director, Building Energy Technology Laboratory (BETlab)
2011–2014 Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, College of Design
2008–2011 Associate Director, Center for Building Stewardship
2008–2011 Assistant Professor, School of Architecture
2010–2010 Research Faculty, Summer Fellowship Program
2000–2008 Research Associate/Assistant, Energy Systems Laboratory
1998–1999 Research Assistant, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
1994–1997 Mechanical Design Engineer, Ship Building Division
1990–1992 Airport Operations Crew, Foreign Aircraft Operations Division
For more information about Dr. Cho and his research laboratory, visit the BETlab website HERE.
Departments
Link to Website:
Education
Ph.D. in Architecture (Building Science & Engineering) Texas A&M University
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Systems) Texas A&M University
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering University of Ulsan, South Korea
Area(s) of Expertise
Building Energy Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization, Building Performance Measurement & Verification (M&V), HVAC Control Optimization, using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) technologies, Sustainable (High-Performance) Building Design, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) & Performance Monitoring, Energy Efficiency & Renewable
Groups
- Offices: Administration
- Academics: Architecture
- Research: Building Energy Technology Lab
- Academics: Doctor of Design
- Doctor of Design: Doctor of Design Faculty Advisors
- Doctor of Design: Doctor of Design Steering Committee
- Faculty
- Research: Office of Research and Extension
- Offices: Office of Research and Extension
- Academics: PhD in Design
- Research
- Staff