Hi, I’m Punrong Rany, a graduate student, technology professional, and researcher interested in how artificial intelligence can be applied to real-world engineering problems.

I am currently pursuing an MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Calgary, where my work focuses on the intersection of AI, machine learning, software engineering, and energy systems. I am particularly interested in building AI systems that are not only accurate, but also reliable, interpretable, and useful in real-world environments.

Before starting my graduate studies, I worked as a Project Manager at Canadia Bank, where I worked on technology and digital transformation initiatives across areas including digital banking, payments, IT security, and merchant solutions. Working closely with technical teams, business stakeholders, and large-scale technology projects gave me a practical perspective on how software and AI need to work beyond the laboratory.

My academic background is interdisciplinary. I hold a Master of Science in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship from Temple University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and International Studies from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. I was also fortunate to be selected as a Fulbright Scholar, an experience that shaped my interest in using technology to solve meaningful problems and work across disciplines.

Research Interests

My current interests are broadly centered around AI for real-world systems, particularly:

• Machine learning for energy and power systems
• AI reliability and generalization
• Explainable and interpretable AI
• Reinforcement learning and intelligent agents
• Computer vision and human-centered AI
• AI systems that can support decision-making in complex environments

I am especially interested in questions such as: How can we make AI systems more reliable when they encounter situations they have not seen before? How can we understand why an AI model makes a particular decision? And how can we design AI systems that are useful in safety- and reliability-critical applications such as energy systems?

From Technology to Research

My journey has moved across several different areas of technology, from computer science and entrepreneurship to project management and now engineering research.

That combination has shaped how I approach problems. I enjoy understanding both the technical side of a problem and the practical context in which a solution will actually be used.

I am still early in my research journey, and one of my goals during my MSc is to develop a deeper understanding of machine learning while learning how to turn real-world engineering problems into meaningful research questions.

Outside of research, I enjoy exploring new places, hiking, learning new technologies, and documenting the things I learn along the way.

This website is a space where I share my research, projects, academic work, and things I learn throughout the journey.