Xavier Farrell and Johanna Mathieu awarded 2025 PACE Fellowship for Graduate Student-Faculty Mentor Pairs

Doctoral student Xavier Farrell and his advisor Prof. Johanna Mathieu have been recognized by the U-M Rackham Graduate School with a PACE Fellowship for Graduate Student-Faculty Mentor Pairs award for their team effort in building community within their field; the award also recognizes Farrell as an accomplished scholar. 

“Xavier is a passionate researcher who is conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of electrical engineering and energy justice,” said Mathieu, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Director of the Institute for Energy Solutions. 

Farrell and Mathieu are currently working on an NSF Smart & Connected Communities project that aims to improve the ability of low-to-moderate income (LMI) households in Detroit to gain access to energy-assistance programs.

As an electrical engineering researcher, my goal is to advance the accessibility, affordability, and reliability of energy, which is required for thriving communities and quality of life.

Xavier Farrell

“Xavier worked directly with Detroit community partners, who acted as energy case managers, to understand their needs. He also helped with participant recruitment from two LMI communities in Detroit.”

A desire to use his degree to help LMI communities is not new for Farrell. After witnessing the struggles of an unhoused man in his hometown, Farrell said, “I envisioned my future career in electrical engineering as being one that fought against disparities in support of LMI communities. As an electrical engineering researcher, my goal is to advance the accessibility, affordability, and reliability of energy, which is required for thriving communities and quality of life.”

Mathieu’s overall research focuses on ways to reduce the environmental impact, cost, and inefficiency of electric power systems via new operational and control strategies. In addition to partnering with energy companies, energy nonprofits, and local communities in her research, she regularly acts as an informal mentor to ECE students, assists with recruiting events, and connects students with others who she feels can help their academic growth.

Mathieu received the Department of Energy Clean Energy Education & Empowerment Award in 2024. She has also received an NSF CAREER Award, 2023 R&D 100 Award, IEEE Power & Energy Society Wanda Reder Pioneer in Power Award, U-M Henry Russel Award, and ECE Ernest and Bettine Kuh Distinguished Faculty Award.

Farrell received a presentation award at the 2024 North American Power Symposium. He also received the Michigan Difference Student Leadership Award along with ECE PhD student Joshua Brooks and Madeline Miller (PhD student in the School for Environment and Sustainability).