You Lin
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
youl@mit.edu
Bio
You Lin is a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and an IEEE Senior Member. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Her research focuses on applying machine learning to energy system analysis and optimization, with a particular emphasis on building technologies, power systems, and electricity markets. With over 20 peer-reviewed publications and 800+ citations, she is committed to advancing intelligent energy management by optimizing operations and reducing environmental impacts through scalable AI solutions and strategic interventions, particularly in the building sector. Drawing on her expertise in machine learning and its applications in the building and power sectors, she is actively engaged in programs and pilot projects focused on scaling up the real-world impact of her building optimization and control technologies, bridging the gap between academic innovation and practical deployment to advance energy efficiency and sustainability.
Areas of Research
- Artificial Intelligence
Human Interactive AI-Driven Multi-Space HVAC Control
This research integrates artificial intelligence, energy systems, and smart building operations to drive innovation in building technologies. Buildings consume around 40% of global energy and emissions, yet most are still operated using static and inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls. Industry solutions often lack adaptability, while academic approaches face barriers to real-world deployment. To bridge this gap, I have developed a human-interactive AI platform for commercial buildings that optimizes Building Management System (BMS) controls to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, improve comfort, and turn buildings into revenue-generating assets. In building-wide pilot deployments at MIT, it achieved over 30% energy savings compared to traditional rule-based automationwithout sacrificing occupant comfort. Imagine a future where AI learns from you, personalizes comfort, saves energy, and enables your building to earn through smart grid participation. My vision is to transform the platform into an intelligent software layer that modernizes traditional BMS, allowing commercial buildings to deliver personalized comfort, optimized energy performance, and dynamic grid interaction through real-time, occupant-aware AI.