Nikita Letov, PhD

About Me

I am a researcher and engineer working at the intersection of machine learning, data engineering, and computational geometry. My work focuses on building scalable AI systems for content understanding, recommendations, and semantic search, with applications in manufacturing and applied physics.

Currently, I lead R&D initiatives at Axya (Montréal), where I design and deploy production-scale ML pipelines, multimodal generative systems, and recommendation engines that power supplier discovery and process automation.

Previously, I conducted doctoral research under Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao at McGill University and Prof. Clément Fortin at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology.

I have also been a visiting researcher at the Airbus R&T Campus in Toulouse, ISAE-SUPAERO (Department of Complex Systems Engineering, with Prof. Rob Vingerhoets), and C3D Labs, working on model-based engineering, big data in aerospace, and CAD kernel applications.

My broader interests include large-scale machine learning infrastructure, data-centric AI, and generative design systems. For my parametric modeling software for cellular structures, see LatticeQuery.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2023)

  McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada

  Thesis title: Geometric modeling of heterogeneous cellular structures with functionally graded parameters. Download.

• M.S. in Space and Engineering Systems (2018)

  Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia

  Thesis title: Integrating Concurrent Conceptual Systems Design with 3D Modeling. Download.

• B.S. summa cum laude in Automation of Technological Processes and Production (2016)

  Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia

  Thesis title: Development of automated storage and retrieval system.

Employment History

• Axya Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada (2020–)

  R&D Department

• Airbus S.A.S., Toulouse, France (2017–18)

  Visiting Researcher, Research and Technology Campus

• Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Toulouse, France (2018)

  Visiting Researcher, Department of Complex Systems Engineering (DISC)

• Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia (2017–18)

  Researcher, Space Center

• Moscow Specialized Automotive Plant, Moscow, Russia (2016)

  Process Engineer

Publications

Journal articles

• 2024 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Geometric modeling of advanced cellular structures with skeletal graphs." International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 109087. doi:10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2024.109087
• 2023 Sarabhai, S., Letov, N., Kibsey, M., Sanchez, F., and Zhao, Y. F. "Understanding the flow and thermal characteristics of non-stochastic strut-based and surface-based lattice structures." Materials & Design, 227, 111787. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111787
• 2023 Gao, Z., Wang, H., Letov, N., Zhao, Y. F., Zhang, X., Wu, Y., Alex Leung, C. L., and Wang, H. "Data-driven design of biometric composite metamaterials with extremely recoverable and ultrahigh specific energy absorption." Composites Part B: Engineering, 251, 110468. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110468
• 2023 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Beam-based lattice topology transition with function representation." Journal of Mechanical Design, 145 (1), 011704. doi:10.1115/1.4055950
• 2022 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "A geometric modelling framework to support the design of heterogeneous lattice structures with non-linearly varying geometry." Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 9 (5), 1565–1584. doi:10.1093/jcde/qwac076
• 2021 Letov, N., Velivela, P. T., Sun, S., and Zhao, Y. F. "Challenges and Opportunities in Geometric Modeling of Complex Bio-Inspired Three-Dimensional Objects Designed for Additive Manufacturing." Journal of Mechanical Design, 143 (12), 121705. doi:10.1115/1.4051720
• 2021 Liu, Y., Zheng, G., Letov, N., and Zhao, Y. F. "A Survey of Modeling and Optimization Methods for Multi-Scale Heterogeneous Lattice Structures." Journal of Mechanical Design, 143 (4), 040803. doi:10.1115/1.4047917
• 2016 Letov, N., Kuzmenko, E., Nenashev, A., and Gavryushin, S. "Development of Automated Dentistry Oriented Tool Storage System." Journal of Biomedical Radioelectronics, 3, 87–91. radiotec:2016-3-17794

Conference Proceedings

• 2025 Lebbar, O. F., Yeung, R., Riddard, A., Letov, N., Mahdid, Y., and Zhao, Y. F. "Engineering drawing information extraction for the estimation of carbon footprint" Proceedings of the International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETC-CIE 2025), 2A. Anaheim, California, USA. doi:10.1115/DETC2025-169564
• 2023 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Geometric modelling of heterogeneous lattice structures through function representation with LatticeQuery." Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED23), 3, 2045-2054. Bordeaux, France. doi:10.1017/pds.2023.205
• 2023 Velivela, P. T., Letov, N., Kong, L., and Zhao, Y. F. "A case study of multifunctional non-pneumatic tire design for the validation of meta-level design parameter in Domain Integrated Design (DID) method." Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED23), 3, 39-48. Bordeaux, France. doi:10.1017/pds.2023.5
• 2021 Velivela, P. T., Letov, N., Liu, Y., and Zhao, Y. F. "Application of domain integrated design methodology for bio-inspired design-a case study of suture pin design." Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 487-496. Gothenburg, Sweden. doi:10.1017/pds.2021.49
• 2020 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Volumetric Cells: A Framework for a Bio-Inspired Geometric Modelling Method to Support Heterogeneous Lattice Structures." Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 295-304. Dubrovnik, Croatia. doi:10.1017/dsd.2020.164

Reports and Other Publications

• 2022 Letov, N. "jalovisko/LatticeQuery: (0.1LQ)." Zenodo. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6959068
• 2022 Yusuf Bekci, R., Mahdid, Y., Xing, J., Letov, N., Zhang, Y., and Pasha, Z "Probabilistic Models for Manufacturing Lead Times." arXiv:2204.13792v2
• 2017 Tarasov, I., Murzakhanov, I., Letov, N., Gabitov, I. "Energy flows in electric grids." Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. Link.

Research

Multifunctional non-pneumatic tire design

Mathematical modeling of multifunctional non-pneumatic tire designs. Read more.

PI: Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao, McGill University

Composite metamaterials with high energy absorption and recoverability

Mathematical modeling of composite metamaterials with high energy absorption and recoverability, and experimental tests with them. Read more.

PI: Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao, McGill University ; Prof. Yi Wu, Tsinghua University

Understanding the flow and thermal characteristics of cellular structures

Investigated the friction factor and convective heat transfer coefficient across cellular structures. Read more.

PI: Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao, McGill University

Function representation of geometry of heterogeneous cellular structures

Development of methods and tools for the geometric modeling of heterogeneous cellular structures with function representation. Read more.

PI: Prof. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao, McGill University

Model-based systems engineering for aerospace applications

Use of geometric and mathematical modeling to develop a model-based visualization approach. Read more.

PIs: Prof. Clément Fortin, Skoltech ; Prof. Rob Vingerhoets, ISAE-SUPAERO

High-speed intelligent robotic system with computer vision for electronics recycling

A high-speed intelligent robotic system that improves the recycling process efficiency of electronic devices. The machines in this system can collaborate on dismantling electronics devices, retrieving and sorting valuable components from disposable ones. Read more.

PIs: Prof. Dzmitry Tsetserukou, Skoltech ; Prof. Kamal Youcef-Toumi, MIT

Energy flows in electric grids

Power in electrical grids is modeled using a set of ordinary differential equations. The system is reduced to static one-dimensional flow, lacking branches, and containing an infinite number of loads. By converting a discrete model into homogeneous ODE's and rescaling ideal boundary conditions to initial conditions, distribution of active and reactive power, and voltage with respect to length are found. Read more.

PIs: Prof. Konstantin Turitsyn, MIT ; Prof. Ildar Gabitov, University of Arizona

Teaching

McGill University

• MECH 290: Design Graphics for Mechanical Engineering
• MECH 560: Eco-design and Product Life Cycle Assessment

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

• MC 060001: Innovation Workshop

Talks

• 2023 "Talking about 3D printing." The Data-Driven Supply Chain Podcast (Axya, Inc.), Montréal, QC, Canada. Recording
• 2018 "Solid modeling applications for complex technology roadmap systems." C3Days Conference (C3D Labs). Moscow, Russia.
• 2017 "Adapting C3D solid modeling kernel for aerospace applications." Skoltech Industrial Day (Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology). Moscow, Russia. Link. Download poster.

Software Development

Coding-wise, I mostly deal with Python for mathematical modeling, machine learning, data analytics, web-development, and engineering utilities; and with C++ for 3D modeling, computer graphics, CAD and other related software development fields.

You can explore my GitHub profile for more if interested.

Contact

nikita.letov [at] mail.mcgill.ca