Yan Miao

Yan Miao

Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Engineering

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Biography

I am Yan Miao, a PhD student at UIUC, advised by Prof. Sayan Mitra. My research focuses on developing robust and adversarial-resistant control algorithms for vision-based autonomous systems, specifically targeting fixed-wing aircraft landing. By leveraging reinforcement learning (RL), control theory, and formal methods, I explore how adversarial attacks can compromise closed-loop systems and propose strategies to ensure stability and safety.

Before joining Prof. Mitra’s group, I received my bachelor’s degrees at UIUC with High Honors.

Download my CV.

Interests
  • ML-based perception on fixed-wing aircrafts
  • Safety Autonomy
  • Robust Controller Synthesis
Education
  • M.S. in Computer Engineering, 2024

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • B.S. in Computer Engineering, 2021

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Publications

(2024). From Dashcam Videos to Driving Simulations: Stress Testing Automated Vehicles against Rare Events. (Accepted) In 2025 ML4AD @ AAAI.

PDF

(2023). Correcting Learning-based Perception for Safety. Working Paper.

PDF

(2021). Watch out for the risky actors: Assessing risk in dynamic environments for safe driving. In ML4AD.

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Awards

1st PLACE Most Engaging
2022 Engineering Open House
1st PLACE The Spirit of Innovation
2022 Engineering Open House
2nd PLACE Outstanding Tech Exhibit
2022 Engineering Open House
Teachers Ranked as Excellent

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