From Beirut to South Bend to a World of Opportunity

There are few similarities between Beirut, Lebanon, and South Bend, Indiana, but South Bend has become home to Abbas Termos for the past eight years. Termos is graduating with his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in May 2022. 

While Termos finished his undergrad at the American University, Beirut, he contemplated his next move. He knew graduate school was in his future, but where? His research advisor, Dr. Ibrahim Abou-Faycal told him about the highly reputable faculty involved with wireless communications at Notre Dame. Abou-Faycal had the opportunity to meet Professor Hochwald and Professor Laneman during his professional career. With Abou-Faycal’s encouragement, Abbas applied and was accepted into Notre Dame’s Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program.

At Notre Dame, Termos selected Professor Hochwald as his advisor, positively impacting his future. Moreover, being part of Professor Hochwald’s Group has provided Termos with many challenges and successes. He knew graduate school would provide opportunities to gain experience and confidence, work independently, and collaborate as a team to see your research through. “I am not the same person I was when I first arrived. The change was definitely for the better, and the improvements are too many to count: Better time management, stress management, emotional intelligence, resilience, and reception of criticism,” said Termos. “However, my accomplishments could not have been possible without my other half, Rolana, all the way in Germany. We maintained a healthy and solid long-distance relationship against time, distance, and odds.”

Termos has had the unique opportunity to work on the RadioHound Platform, a low-cost, pervasive, persistent spectrum sensor that leverages low-cost SDRs suitable for deployment in mobile environments. The RadioHound Platform started in 2015 and has been designed and implemented predominantly by a team of graduate students. “This has been the most rewarding project I have ever had the privilege to work on,” said Abbas. “The process of designing a sensor as a block diagram and then transforming the block diagram into a device comes with many complications. They are usually mentioned as one-line remarks or footnotes in a book (or many books, for that matter). Time management, budget management, team management, and meeting demo deadlines are all part of the design process, and I was fortunate to be exposed to such aspects of a project during my studies.”

For his Ph.D. thesis, which he successfully defended in February 2022, Termos developed a machine learning framework for using distributed spectrum measurements, like those obtained with RadioHound sensors, to create maps of spectrum occupancy over a given geographical area and range of frequencies. Such occupancy maps can be used to understand spectrum utilization, facilitate spectrum sharing, and inform spectrum policy, all of which are critical enabling technologies to help nations around the world to make the best use of radio spectrum to benefit modern society.

Abbas’s biggest surprise while attending Notre Dame and living in South Bend was football weekends. “I was blown away by how much football means to Notre Dame and the surrounding area. The town and the university campus completely transformed during those days, and the Notre Dame spirit pulls you in very quickly,” said Termos. “The Notre Dame community becomes your family.” He was also surprised by how culturally diverse the campus and the community are. “I have come to love the area and the people. I have enjoyed getting to meet and know people from all over the world,” said Termos. “Now I have friends across the globe with whom I maintain very regular contact.”  

When asked what advice he would give to future graduate students, Abbas responded, “Do not overestimate genius. Persistence is the key to good research and incremental progress. Do not wait for that flash-of-light moment, as it can only come after countless failed attempts.” He also emphasized, “Do not underestimate the power of networking with people. They are the source of fruitful friendships, collaborations, and opportunities. Also, take care of yourself: eat well, and (try to) sleep well.”

Abbas looks forward to seeing his family and girlfriend after graduation, but he also knows he will miss his South Bend “family.” He knows he is always welcome to return for a visit to the wireless labs, and hopefully, he will make it back for a few football weekends in coming years.