Rayana Sanzana

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work bridges artificial intelligence, energy systems engineering, sustainable infrastructure, and digital health. With a background spanning software engineering, computer science, and civil engineering, she is currently with Monash University on the teaching and research track, where she advances AI-driven innovation for both the built environment and healthcare.

Her research focuses on developing intelligent, data-driven systems for thermal energy storage (TES), hybrid and emerging energy storage technologies (including batteries and hydrogen), renewable-powered urban infrastructure, and grid-interactive buildings. She applies machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and digital twin technologies to optimise energy flexibility, support demand response, and strengthen climate resilience in cities. She is actively contributing to the Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub, the Centre for Net Zero Initiatives (School of Engineering), the Human-Centred Computing Research Group (School of IT), and the AI and Data Science Research Group (School of IT). These affiliations support her interdisciplinary work in sustainable infrastructure, energy systems, and digital health.

Alongside her energy systems work, Dr Sanzana also leads and contributes to research in AI and digital health, with ongoing projects in early breast-cancer diagnosis, epilepsy detection, and EEG interpretation for neurodivergent individuals. Her health-related research emphasises clinical applicability, explainable AI, and equitable deployment for diverse communities.

Her broader vision integrates the water–energy nexus, hybrid storage, sector coupling (heat–power–transport), and adaptive infrastructure design — aiming to build smarter, greener, more inclusive cities while ensuring that AI technologies are safe, accessible, and socially meaningful. Across both domains, she is committed to advancing applied AI that addresses real-world challenges in sustainability, resilience, and health.

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana is an interdisciplinary researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, energy systems engineering, sustainable infrastructure, and digital health. With training in software engineering, computer science, and civil engineering, her research focuses on AI-driven solutions for thermal energy storage (TES) and hybrid energy storage, renewable integration, smart-grid urban systems, and clinical/neurological applications of machine learning.

Her research agenda centres on five integrated themes:

1. AI-driven energy management for thermal and hybrid storage
Optimisation of thermal energy storage and multi-vector hybrid systems (TES, solar PV, batteries, hydrogen). She uses machine learning, reinforcement learning, and multi-agent optimisation to develop intelligent control strategies for load-shifting, flexibility, resilience, and improved operational efficiency in energy-intensive buildings and districts.

2. Renewable integration and smart-grid urban systems
Integration of intermittent renewables into urban energy ecosystems via storage hybridisation, sector coupling, managed EV charging, and grid-interactive buildings. Focus on scalable solutions that enable low-carbon, resilient, and demand-responsive urban infrastructures.

3. Digitalisation and predictive analytics for built environments
Application of digital twins, real-time forecasting, and deep learning to HVAC and facility management for energy optimisation, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance — reducing energy use and operational risk across building systems.

4. Sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure and the water–energy nexus
Designing adaptive infrastructures that combine hybrid storage, district energy models, and sector coupling (heat, power, transport) to enhance climate resilience, resource efficiency, and urban adaptability in warming climates.

5. AI & Digital Health 
Development and validation of privacy-aware, data-efficient machine learning models for clinical and neurological applications. Current projects include early breast-cancer diagnosis for low-resource settings, automated and interpretable EEG analysis for epilepsy detection, and improving EEG interpretation for neurodivergent individuals. These efforts prioritise clinical relevance, model explainability, and equitable deployment in healthcare settings.

Through these themes, she seeks to harness AI and digital technologies for positive societal impact — advancing green AI for energy systems and responsible AI for healthcare to enable smarter, more inclusive, and resilient cities.

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana welcomes HDR candidates interested in applied artificial intelligence for sustainable infrastructure, energy systems, and digital health. Her supervision interests are:

Energy, Built Environment & Sustainable Infrastructure

• Applied AI for commercial building HVAC operations
  Intelligent control, optimisation, predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, digital twins.

• Thermal energy storage (TES) optimisation
  Data-driven modelling, load shifting, control strategies, TES integration into high-demand buildings and district systems.

• Hybrid and emerging energy storage technologies
  TES–battery–hydrogen–solar PV combinations, AI-based control, forecasting, and performance optimisation.

• Renewable energy integration & grid-interactive systems
  Challenges of intermittent renewables, sector coupling, demand response, and urban grid resilience.

• AI for sustainable food systems & food upcycling
  Quality detection, waste reduction analytics, process optimisation, carbon and energy impact assessment.

• Sector coupling & multi-vector energy interactions
  Heat–power–transport optimisation, district energy systems, and cross-domain energy planning.

• Cybersecurity & operational security for building energy systems
  Ensuring resilience, privacy, and reliability of smart-building and grid-connected infrastructures.

AI & Digital Health

• Machine learning for early disease detection
  Data-efficient, accessible ML models for early breast-cancer diagnosis.

• AI for neurological and neurodivergent populations
  Automated and interpretable EEG analysis for epilepsy detection and improved neurodivergent EEG interpretation.

• Safe, explainable, and trustworthy AI in healthcare
  Interpretability, fairness, bias mitigation, and clinically deployable AI systems.

• Biomedical signal processing & multimodal health data
  Physiological time-series modelling, multimodal fusion, and personalised health analytics.

She is particularly interested in students motivated to apply AI to real-world challenges at the intersection of sustainability, resilience, and healthcare innovation.

Dr Sanzana’s research is conducted in collaboration with the Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub, the Centre for Net Zero Initiatives, and the HCC and AI & Data Science Research Groups in the School of IT. These platforms provide opportunities for HDR students to engage in interdisciplinary projects spanning AI, energy systems, smart infrastructure, and digital health.

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana contributes to teaching within the Faculty of Information Technology through coursework delivery, student mentoring, research training, and supervision. Her teaching interests include software engineering, applied artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and sustainable digital technologies. She is committed to creating inclusive, evidence-based learning environments and integrating real-world, research-driven perspectives into the classroom. 

Additionally she also provides workshop training through Monash University Malaysia for individuals in other professions in industry, schools, banks, etc. who wants to get hands on training and deepen understanding in AI, ML, Data analytics. She will also provide structured training on carbon management, ESG reporting in near future.

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana provides expertise in applied artificial intelligence, energy systems, and sustainable infrastructure to industry, government, and non-profit partners. She can provide consultancy on:

• Optimising energy efficiency in commercial buildings and hybrid storage systems

• Renewable energy integration, grid-interactive infrastructure, and sector coupling

• AI applications in healthcare, including early disease detection and biomedical signal analysis

• Advising on digitalisation, predictive analytics, and operational security for smart infrastructure
  She actively collaborates with industry partners to translate research insights into practical, data-driven solutions.

Dr Sanzana is committed to promoting STEM, AI, and sustainable technology through community engagement and mentoring initiatives. Key activities include:

• STEM outreach for schools and youth via Robogals initiatives, inspiring students to pursue STEM education

• Women in Technology & AI advocacy, supporting Women Tech Network, Women in AI APAC, and women empowerment programmes

• Delivering talks, workshops, and mentoring on AI, research careers, and professional development

• Supporting career development and research skills for undergraduate and postgraduate students through mentorship and structured programmes

Her community service emphasises inclusivity, equity, and building capacity for the next generation of researchers and technology leaders.

Dr Mirza Rayana Sanzana actively contributes to the academic and community life of Monash University Malaysia through service roles and engagement initiatives. It includes:

• Early-Career Researcher Representative — advocating for the interests, professional development, and research capacity building of early-career academics and HDR students.

• Outreach and Open Days — participating in school and community engagement events to promote STEM, AI, and research awareness among prospective students and the broader public.

• Industry Engagement — collaborating with the Industry Coordinator of the School of Information Technology and the School of Engineering to establish and strengthen partnerships with industrial and corporate partners, enabling applied research, internships, and innovation projects.

• Student Engagement and Clubs — supporting and mentoring student-led clubs and initiatives within the School of IT and the School of Engineering, fostering leadership, innovation, and professional skills development.

• Supporting internal committees, mentoring initiatives, and cross-disciplinary collaboration that enhance the profile and impact of the university.

Her service emphasizes bridging academia, industry, and community, promoting inclusivity, research impact, and sustainable innovation.