Download PDF updated Sep 2026

Education

  • Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University — 2026 (expected)
  • B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, University of Mumbai — 2018

Work experience

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University — Aug 2021 to present
    • Upgraded a 2016 synthetic grid to reflect 2030 load and renewable scenarios for ARPA-E GO.
    • Quantified Area Sparsity and incorporated areas in synthetic-grid transmission planning.
    • Performed transient studies on WECC, EI, and ERCOT synthetic cases to analyze inter-area modes.
  • Research Intern, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Spring and Summer 2026
    • Developed multidimensional contingency severity index (SI) framework for AC power flow contingency screening of large power systems across multiple operating points.
    • Developed a MILP-based optimal placement framework in Python (using PuLP/HiGHS and PowerWorld/SimAuto) for siting series-compensation devices on an actual transmission system to eliminate post-contingency thermal overloads.
  • Power System Engineer, Intern, Electric Power Engineers, LLC — Summer 2023
    • Built a study-area selection tool using PSS/E and TARA Python APIs.
    • Consolidated ERCOT Generic Transmission Constraints for engineering use.
  • Technical Professional, Siemens Ltd. India — Jul 2018 to May 2021
    • Coordinated cross-functional switchboard manufacturing timelines.
    • Specified and communicated technical requirements across teams and customers.

Publications

Journal papers

  1. J1

    Phase Shift Groups in Power Flow Analysis for Improved Power Systems Modeling

    K. Zhgun, S. Kunkolienkar, R. Badawi, F. Safdarian, T. J. Overbye

    IEEE Transactions on Power Systems 2026

  2. J2

    Toward Realism: Sparse Matrix Statistics in the North American and Synthetic Electric Grid ModelsPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, T. J. Overbye

    IEEE Transactions on Power Systems 2026

  3. J3

    A Scalable Automatic Model Generation Tool for Cyber-Physical Network Topologies and Data Flows for Large-Scale Synthetic Power Grid ModelsPDF

    S. Israel, S. Kunkolienkar, A. Goulart, K. Davis, T.J. Overbye

    Just accepted to ACM Transactions on Cyber-Physical Systems 2025

Conference papers

  1. C1

    Modeling Electric Grid Topology with Spatially-Aware Degree-Corrected Stochastic Block ModelPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, J. Snodgrass, A. Birchfield, T. J. Overbye

    59th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) 2026

  2. C2

    Improving Power Flow Convergence By Leveraging Region of Attraction VisualizationPDF

    K. Zhgun, S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, T.J. Overbye, J. Weber

    2025 North American Power Symposium (NAPS) 2025

  3. C3

    Study Area Selection Tool to Enhance System Impact Analysis of Generator InterconnectionsPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, T. J. Overbye, G. Cabrera, H. Li

    2025 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC) 2025

  4. C4

    Visualizing Volt-Var Distributions in Large-Scale Electric Grid ModelsPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, J. Cook, T. J. Overbye

    2024 North American Power Symposium (NAPS) 2024

  5. C5

    On the Existence of Dominant Inter-Area Oscillation Modes in the North American Eastern Interconnect Stability SimulationsPDF

    T.J. Overbye, S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, A. Birchfield

    57th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) 2024

  6. C6

    Developing a Dashboard to Enhance Visualization of Similar Historical Weather Patterns and Renewable Energy GenerationPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, N. Slavchev, F. Safdarian, T.J. Overbye

    2024 IEEE Workshop on Energy Data Visualization (EnergyVis) 2024

  7. C7

    A Description of the Texas A&M University Electric Grid Test Case Repository for Power System StudiesPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, J. Snodgrass, A. Birchfield, T.J. Overbye

    2024 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC) 2024

  8. C8

    Undergraduate Research on Improving Power Grid Planning ModelsPDF

    E. Ekeruche, S. Kunkolienkar, J. Snodgrass, T.J. Overbye

    2023 North American Power Symposium (NAPS) 2023

  9. C9

    Quantification of Area Sparsity for Large-Scale Electric GridsPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, J. Snodgrass, T.J. Overbye

    2023 Kansas Power and Energy Conference (KPEC) 2023

  10. C10

    Pedagogical Application of Visualization and Eye Tracking for Electrical Grid ManagementPDF

    F.A. Fru, S. Kunkolienkar, et al.

    2023 International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics 2023

  11. C11

    On the Existence of Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes in North American Electric GridsPDF

    T.J. Overbye, S. Kunkolienkar

    2023 Kansas Power and Energy Conference (KPEC) 2023

  12. C12

    Creating Active and Reactive Power Reserve Zones for Large-Scale Electric GridsPDF

    S. Kunkolienkar, F. Safdarian, J. Snodgrass, T.J. Overbye

    2023 Kansas Power and Energy Conference (KPEC) 2023

  13. C13

    On the Sensitivity of Ring-Down Observed Inter-Area Modes in Large-Scale Electric Grids Using a Simulation ApproachPDF

    W. Trinh, S. Kunkolienkar, Y. Liu, T.J. Overbye

    2022 IEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois (PECI) 2022

  14. C14

    Case Study of Enhancing the Matpower Polish Electric GridPDF

    J. Snodgrass, S. Kunkolienkar, U. Habiba, Y. Liu, M. Stevens, F. Safdarian, T.J. Overbye

    2022 IEEE Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC) 2022

Teaching

Instructor of record

  • ECEN 314 – Signals and Systems — Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Fall 2026 — Course page

Guest lectures

  • ECE 715: Physical and Economical Operations of Sustainable Energy Systems, Texas A&M University, Spring 2026
  • ECE 340: Electric Energy Conversion, Texas A&M University, Fall 2025
  • ECE 460: Power System Operation and Control, Texas A&M University, Spring 2024

Teaching assistantships

  • ECEN 615 – Elements of Power System Analysis — Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Fall 2025 — Course page
  • ECEN 667 – Power System Dynamics and Stability — Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Fall 2023 — Course page
  • ECEN 615 – Elements of Power System Analysis — Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Fall 2022 — Course page

Honors and Awards

  • Research Travel and Presentation Award (RAP), GPSG, Texas A&M University, 2025
  • Research Travel Award, ECE, Texas A&M University, 2025
  • Thomas W. Powell’62 and Powell Industries Inc. Fellowship, 2022–2025
  • Best Intern Presentation on “Improving for Tomorrow” Scholarship, Electric Power Engineers, 2023
  • Graduate Research Assistantship, ECE, Texas A&M University, 2021–present
  • ECE Department Scholarship, Texas A&M University, 2021

Service and Leadership

Professional Membership and Activities

  • IEEE — Graduate Student Member, 2021–present
  • IEEE Power and Energy Society — Graduate Student Member, 2021–present
  • IEEE Young Professionals — Graduate Student Member, 2021–present
  • IEEE Women in Engineering — Graduate Student Member, 2021–present