Austin Downey

Dr. Austin Downey is an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina, specializing in intelligent control for autonomous and engineered systems. His research integrates control theory, machine learning, and AI to enable adaptive, real-time decision-makingin resource-constrained environments. His work focuses on closing the loop between sensing, learning, and control using AI deployed on edge-class computing hardware, with applications in battery systems, power grids, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and advanced manufacturing (AM). By combining physics-based models with data-driven and learning-enabled approaches, he develops scalable methods for improving performance, safety, and lifetime in autonomous energy, aerospace, and manufacturing systems. He is a Fulbright alumnus and recipient of the South Carolina Governor’s "Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research " and the ASME's "Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award".