College Engineering Celebrates Opening of New Vy and Timothy Li Automation Lab
The Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona recently celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Vy and Timothy Li Automation Lab.
This state-of-the-art facility was made possible through an $850,000 investment supported by the generous contribution of alumnus Vy Li (’22, master’s in systems engineering) and her husband Timothy Li, a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant secured by Professor Shokoufeh Mirzaei, IME department chair, (Department Chair and Professor) and Associate Professor and Lab Director Ellips Masehian, two SPICE awards and strategic investment from IME departmental self-support fund.
The May 1 celebration drew a large crowd, including College of Engineering Dean Andrew Ketsdever, associate deans, faculty members from several engineering departments and a strong turnout of IME students. The event highlighted the transformative impact of philanthropy, interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic investment in hands-on learning environments.
At the heart of the lab is an advanced Intelitek Smart Factory system. The system includes two PLC-controlled conveyor lines, Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), five industrial robotic arms, CNC milling and turning machines, a vision-based quality control station and a laser engraver with advanced air filtration. This setup provides students with an immersive, industry-relevant experience in smart manufacturing technologies. The Cal Poly Automation lab is also configured with advanced sensors and IoT communications to enable research and learning.
In his opening remarks, Ketsdever praised the initiative as a model of how alumni contributions and federal funding can be combined to fuel academic excellence and workforce readiness.
“The Vy and Timothy Li Automation Lab is a prime example of how philanthropy, faculty initiative, and a shared commitment to student success can come together to build something truly transformational,” he said. “This lab is not just a space—it’s a launchpad for innovation and career readiness in the era of Industry 4.0.”
Mirzaei expressed heartfelt gratitude to the donors, the College of Engineering leadership, IME staff, and faculty whose efforts made the lab modernization possible.
“Vy and Timothy’s generosity has enabled us to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications,” she said. “This lab will serve as a cornerstone of our commitment to active learning, research, and preparing our students for high-impact roles in modern manufacturing.”
Besides the ribbon-cutting, the event included live demonstrations of the lab’s capabilities, showcasing robotic coordination, quality inspection and CNC machining — all led by enthusiastic IME students.
Timothy Li reflected on the journey that began four years ago when the idea of a modern automation lab was first discussed.
“This lab is the result of a shared vision and relentless effort,” he said. “One student said he came back to school because of the hands-on experience this lab offers. Another said this is how we bring manufacturing back to America. That’s what this is about—impact.”
Li also recognized Masehian for his leadership in coordinating the lab’s planning, procurement, and installation.
“Professor Masehian worked day and night to bring this lab to life, and it’s already benefiting hundreds of students,” Li said.
