Motahareh Pourbehzadi

Biography

Motahareh (Bahar) Pourbehzadi, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management at the Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina Greensboro. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Shiraz University of Technology in 2021 and a second Ph.D. in Big Data Analytics from the University of South Florida in 2024.

Dr. Pourbehzadi’s interdisciplinary research focuses on cybersecurity, healthcare analytics, and energy, with specific interests in secure software development, cyber-physical systems, and fairness in healthcare delivery. Her recent projects include developing agentic AI systems for diabetes self-management and automating vulnerability assessments through interpretable principal component analysis.

She teaches undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity courses, such as Design of Secure Computer & IoT Networks for Business. A passionate advocate for diversity in tech, Dr. Pourbehzadi serves as a mentor at the Spartan Cyber Guardian Academy, where she supports initiatives promoting cybersecurity education for underrepresented groups. She is also active in professional organizations, including AIS and IEEE.

Education

• Ph.D. in Big Data Analytics from the University of South Florida (2024)
• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Shiraz University of Technology (2021)
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Shahed University (2016)
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University (2014)

Research/Publications

1.  M. Shokri, T. Niknam, M. Sarvarizade-Kouhpaye, M. Pourbehzadi, G. Javidi, E. Sheybani, M. Dehghani, “A Novel Optimal Planning and Operation of Smart Cities by Simultaneously Considering Electric Vehicles, Photovoltaics, Heat Pumps, and Batteries,” Processes, vol. 12, no. 9, p. 1816, 2024.
2. M. Pourbehzadi, G. Javidi, C. J. Howell, E. Kamar, and E. Sheybani, “Enhanced (cyber) situational awareness: Using interpretable principal component analysis (iPCA) to automate vulnerability severity scoring,” Decision Support Systems, p. 114308, 2024.
3. H. Jokar, T. Niknam, M. Dehghani, E. Sheybani, M. Pourbehzadi, and G. Javidi, “Efficient Microgrid Management with Meerkat Optimization for Energy Storage, Renewables, Hydrogen Storage, Demand Response, and EV Charging,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 25, 2023.
4. M. Dehghani, T. Niknam, M. GhasemiGarpachi, H. Haes Alhelou, M. Pourbehzadi, G. Javidi, E. Sheybani, “Public policies for cyber security of sustainable dominated renewable smart grids,” IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 17, no. 18, pp. 4057-4071, 2023.
5. M. Jokar-Dehoie, M. Zare, T. Niknam, J. Aghaei, M. Pourbehzadi, G. Javidi, E. Sheybani., “Game Theory-Based Bidding Strategy in the Three-Level Optimal Operation of an Aggregated Microgrid in an Oligopoly Market,” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 104719-104736, 2022.
6. F. Faramarzi, T. Niknam, M. Pourbehzadi, G. Javidi, and E. Sheybani, “A Novel Four-Level Approach for Improving Power System Resilience Against Intentional Attacks,” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 123769-123785, 2022.
7. M. Pourbehzadi et al., “Short-term scheduling of a renewable-based microgrid: stochastic/economic battery modeling,” IEEE access, vol. 9, pp. 90084-90101, 2021.
8. A. Kavousi-Fard, S. Nikkhah, M. Pourbehzadi, M. Dabbaghjamanesh, and A. Farughian, “IoT-based data-driven fault allocation in microgrids using advanced µPMUs,” Ad Hoc Networks, vol. 119, p. 102520, 2021.
9. Z. Ye, H. Yang, M. Zheng, and M. Pourbehzadi, “Reconfiguration-based stochastic operation management of automated distribution systems considering smart sensors, electric vehicle, and social-economic targets,” IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 21, no. 14, pp. 15784-15792, 2020.
10. A. Saad Al-Sumaiti, A. Kavousi-Fard, M. Salama, M. Pourbehzadi, S. Reddy, and M. B. Rasheed, “Economic assessment of distributed generation technologies: A feasibility study and comparison with the literature,” Energies, vol. 13, no. 11, p. 2764, 2020.
11. M. Bornapour, R. Hemmati, M. Pourbehzadi, A. Dastranj, and T. Niknam, “Probabilistic optimal coordinated planning of molten carbonate fuel cell-CHP and renewable energy sources in microgrids considering hydrogen storage with point estimate method,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 206, p. 112495, 2020.
12. M. Pourbehzadi, T. Niknam, J. Aghaei, G. Mokryani, M. Shafie-khah, and J. P. Catalão, “Optimal operation of hybrid AC/DC microgrids under uncertainty of renewable energy resources: A comprehensive review,” International journal of electrical power & energy systems, vol. 109, pp. 139-159, 2019.

Curriculum Vitae