Thank you for attending!

Date: March 18, 2023
Time: 7:30 am – 7:00 pm PDT
Location: San José State University, Student Union

Keynote Speakers

Tsu-Jae King Liu, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Engineering – UC Berkeley
Board Member – Intel Corporation

Topic: Semiconductor Chips: the New Oil Powering the World 

Tsu-Jae King Liu is Dean and Roy W. Carlson Professor of Engineering at UC Berkeley, where she has been a professor in the EECS department since 1996. She is best known for the development of polycrystalline silicon-germanium thin film technology for applications in integrated circuits and microsystems, and for co-developing the three-dimensional “FinFET” transistor design that is used in all leading-edge microprocessor chips today.

She earned her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Before joining the UC Berkeley faculty she worked at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center as a Member of Research Staff. Her awards include the DARPA Significant Technical Achievement Award (2000) for development of the FinFET, the IEEE Kiyo Tomiyasu Award (2010) for contributions to nanoscale MOS transistors, memory devices, and MEMs devices, the Semiconductor Industry Association Outstanding Researcher Award (2014), and the Semiconductor Research Corporation Aristotle Award (2016).  She has authored or co-authored over 500 publications and holds over 90 patents. Liu is a Fellow of the IEEE, an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors.  She also serves on the Board of Directors of Intel Corporation.

Erica Lockheimer

Vice President, Software Engineering – LinkedIn Talent Solutions
Women In Tech Lead – LinkedIn WIT Executive Team

Topic: The Future of Work

Erica Lockheimer has been at LinkedIn since 2010. She held the role of Sr. Director of Engineering heading the Growth Engineering team for over four years, with a focus on increasing growth in new members and deepening engagement with members across LinkedIn’s products.  Erica started the Growth Team from the ground up to a 120-person team.  She is also responsible for founding LinkedIn’s Women In Tech (WIT) initiative, focused on empowering women in technical roles at LinkedIn. 

In 2018, she took on the role of VP of Engineering for the LinkedIn Learning team, formerly known as Lynda.com.  She continued to expand her role and began to oversee LinkedIn’s Glint engineering team in 2019.  Most recently in 2021, she took on the additional role of running LinkedIn’s Talent Solutions/Careers team that connects LinkedIn members to career opportunities and helps recruiters find the best candidates for their companies. 

Erica loves the challenge of starting with something nascent and carving out the right strategy, hiring the best people, and plotting a course to drive results.  In 2014 and 2015, Erica was voted amongst the top 22 women engineers in the world by Business Insider.  Erica is a San Francisco Bay Area native, has 2 kids, loves to run and is a graduate from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Computer Engineering.

Heather McDonald

Chief Engineer, International Space Station (ISS) Program
NASA

Topic: Engineering Out of This World – The International Space Station and Beyond

Heather is the first female to hold the position in the more than 20-year history of the ISS. In that role Mrs. McDonald is responsible for integrating the work of about 20 different engineering units involving hundreds of engineers across NASA. Her purview covers all space station engineering responsibilities plus eight additional spacecraft transporting crew and cargo to and from the ISS. These include US commercial as well as internationally developed spacecraft. She is also responsible for the safe execution of crew spacewalks external to the ISS.

Mrs. McDonald is an internationally recognized expert and leader in rendezvous and docking operations and technologies, ultimately leading a successful international effort to develop rendezvous standards for future exploration missions. She has spent her career at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Throughout her career she has served in key roles for several Space Shuttle flight tests, was a successful flight software and flight hardware developer, and project manager. During her NASA career, Heather has received numerous prestigious awards including a Silver Snoopy (NASA’s highest award from the Astronaut Office for contributions to crew safety and mission success), some of the Agency’s top awards like the Space Flight Awareness Launch Honoree and the Exceptional Achievement Medal. 

Mrs. McDonald received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics from the University of Minnesota in 1992. She is married, with three adult children and two adult stepchildren.

Agenda

7:30-8:30 am

Registration and Breakfast

8:30-9:30 am

Welcome and Opening Keynotes

Topic: Climate Accords and Climate Pacts: Trust but Verify
Inez Fung
Professor, Atmospheric Science, UC Berkeley

9:30-9:45 am

Break

9:45-10:45 am

Concurrent Session A

Emerging Technologies Concurrent Sessions

A1 • Climate Resilience

Session Chairs

Ayca Erdogan

Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, SJSU

Hongrui Liu

Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and improving climate resilience requires careful assessment of risks and hazards and execution of impactful actions.  In this session, we have three speakers from industry and research institutions, who will talk about the urgent need for climate actions, which actions have been taken, how to assess risks of hazardous events to inform policy and decision makers for preparations, and how climate change and solutions impact populations.

Meeting Room: 4A

Climate Action

Presentation Abstract

Description for Session Chair

Anhthuy Le

Design and Estimating Supervisor, Pacific Gas and Electric

Working with frontline communities to achieve just climate solutions

Presentation Abstract

Description for Session Chair

Costanza Rampini

Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, San José State University

Developing Climate Adaptation Pathways

Presentation Abstract

Description for Session Chair

Katie Riles

Geospatial and Environmental Scientist, Pathways Climate Institute

A2 • Wearable Technologies

Session Chairs

Lin Jiang

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, SJSU

Wencen Wu

Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering Department, SJSU

Session Summary

Many attempts during the last decades to design and develop a series of wearable devices that served many purposes. Most of the wearable technology devices that were developed during the 2010s focused on fitness. Technology advances make wearables smarter, lighter, and capable of assisting and complementing healthcare. During this session, engineering leaders in industry and research will discuss how wearable, robotic, and autonomous technologies combine to provide safe, smarter, and more efficient care.

Meeting Room: 2

Apple Watch and Product Operations

Presentation Abstract

Dhanya Mehta

Director, Apple Watch Product Operations, Apple

How wearables might be in your future

Presentation Abstract

Xina Quan

Co-founder & CEO, PyrAmes Inc.

A3 • Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity

Session Chair

Younghee Park

Associate Professor, Computer Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies improves and automates various aspects of cybersecurity. AI can be used to detect and prevent cyber-attacks and protect against various vulnerabilities in networks and systems. This can lead to faster and more accurate responses to security incidents, which can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. This session has three speakers from Google and CaptialOne. We will discuss different AI techniques in Cloud and Big Data Analytics and the role of national language processing (NPL) techniques in cybersecurity.

Meeting Room: 3

GirlsCanHack : The Future of Cybersecurity

Presentation Abstract

Soledad Antelada Toledano

Security Technical Program Manager, Google

Big Data Analytics PreRequisite to Cyber Intelligence

Presentation Abstract

Kiran Narang

Big Data Cloud Consultant, Google Cloud

Natural Language Processing (NLP) security solutions: The future of Cyber Security and the role of NLP in shaping it

Presentation Abstract

Radhika Rastogi

Senior Manager, Cyber Technical | EP2, CapitalOne

A4 • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Session Chairs

Birsen Sirkeci

Professor, Electrical Engineering, SJSU

Nanci Solomon

Advisor, SJSU CMPE Advisory Board

Session Summary

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two rapidly evolving technologies that are changing the way we interact with digital content and the world around us. Currently, around 90% of the use of the technology is for gaming; however, there are promising transformative applications in areas such as education, entertainment, training, architecture, and medicine. As these technologies continue to advance, the potential to revolutionize the way we learn, work, and play is also increasing. This session will include personal journeys from industry leaders, and explore the current state of the industry, some future directions, and challenges that still need to be overcome to reach widespread adoption.

Meeting Room: 4B

Presentation Abstract

Nishtha Bhatia

Product Manager, Augmented Reality, Google

Presentation Abstract

Jeri Ellsworth

CEO and Co-Founder, Tilt Five

Concurrent Session A

Professional Development Concurrent Sessions

A5 • Job and Internship Search

Session Chair

Kelly Masegian

Career Counselor, SJSU Career Center

Session Summary

Everyone is familiar with the big job boards – Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn. Come learn how to optimize your searches as well as other methods to increase your chances of landing a job or internship that will be the right fit for you. We will also discuss tips for how to navigate a job search in less than ideal times.

Meeting Room: 1A

A6 • Confident Communication

Session Chair

Marie Haverfield

Assistant Professor, San José State University

Session Summary

Women in fields dominated by men are frequently confronted with societal expectations of how to communicate. As women, we want and often need to advocate for ourselves but are careful to avoid labels such as ‘aggressive’ or ‘pushy’. Fortunately, there are specific features of interpersonal communication that can help us navigate these tensions more confidently. By being inquisitive, direct, and proactive, we can elevate our voices. This workshop will introduce attendees to each of these communication concepts, increase self-awareness of one’s own communication behavior, and provide actionable strategies to adopt in future interactions.

Meeting Room: 1B

10:45-11:00 am

Break

11:00-12:00 pm

Concurrent Session B

Emerging Technologies Concurrent Sessions

B1 • Renewable Energy Generation and Storage

Session Chair

Dahyun Oh

Assistant Professor, Materials Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

How to generate energy from renewable sources and store it is a grand challenge in this era. With the surge in oil prices due to global issues, the need for renewable energy and storage is higher than ever. This session invites three speakers who have extensive experience in solar and energy storage. Some may consider energy generation and storage as separate problems but they are linked and our speakers will share their knowledge to explain the correlation.

Meeting Room: 4A

Battery Cathode Innovation and Manufacturing in the US

Presentation Abstract

Fern Morrison

Product Manager, Mitra Chem

Solid State batteries – A Key to next generation mobility

Presentation Abstract

Usha Subramanya

Principal Member of Technical Staff, Quantumscape Corporation

From silicon solar cell defect engineering to silicon-based anode integration in Li-ion batteries

Presentation Abstract

Amanda Youssef

Staff Engineer, Sila

B2 • Space and Air Technologies

Session Chairs

Maria Chierichetti

Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, SJSU

Sheryl Ehrman

Don Beall Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

This session will cover current transformations in the aerospace industry. We are assisting a revolution of how we conceive aeronautical and space transportation. This renewed interest in the aerospace industry is accelerating technological advancement, decreasing costs and leading to better services for our communities. Speakers from Wisk, NASA, UCSC and Lockheed Martin will showcase how advancements in technology can lead to a smarter, more affordable and safer aerospace industry.

Meeting Room: 4B

Sonal Baid, Wisk

Presentation Abstract

Presentation Abstract

Misty Davies

System-Wide Safety Project Manager, NASA

Presentation Abstract

Becca Fenwick, Ph.D.

Director, CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research, University of California, Santa Cruz

Space 2050

Presentation Abstract

Alison Nordt

Director Space Science and Instrumentation, Lockheed Martin

B3 • Advances in Semiconductor Technologies

Session Chairs

Fatemeh Davoudi

Assistant Professor, Aviation And Technology, SJSU

Lili He

Professor, Electrical Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Advanced semiconductor technologies including various cutting-edge techniques used to manufacture semiconductor devices with improved performance, reduced power consumption, and smaller form factors. These technologies typically involve the use of novel materials, processes, and equipment to fabricate semiconductor devices, memory cells, and other components with nanoscale precision. Today’s advanced technologies enable the development of more powerful and energy-efficient electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, and data centers, and also drive innovation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and autonomous vehicles. Silicon Valley is the headquarters of advanced semiconductor technologies. We are proud to have representatives from leading semiconductor companies, Nvidia, Applied Materials, and TSMC, speak in this session.

Meeting Room: 2

Perfecting Semiconductor Technology to Propel Artificial Intelligence

Presentation Abstract

Jane Huang

Sr. Manager, Nvidia Corporation

Make Possible® at Applied Materials

Presentation Abstract

Elizabeth Neville

Systems Engineer, Applied Materials

Semiconductor Manufacturing Innovations to keep up with information explosion

Presentation Abstract

Charu Sardana

Program Manager / FTS, TSMC, NA

B4 • Responsible AI

Session Chair

Mahima Agumbe Suresh

Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly making its way into our day-to-day lives. It carries a lot of potential to change our worlds dramatically. As the wise Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Join us in this session to learn about the what, how, and why of building AI systems responsibly.

Meeting Room: 3

The Art of Making AI Secure and Private

Presentation Abstract

Nathalie Baracaldo, Ph.D.

Manager AI Security and Privacy Solutions; Research Staff Member, IBM Research

Responsible AI Principles

Presentation Abstract

Mrinal Karvir

Senior Cloud Software Engineering Manager, Intel Corporation

Responsible AI in Education

Presentation Abstract

Nisha Talagala, Ph.D.

CEO and Founder, AIClub

Concurrent Session B

Professional Development Concurrent Sessions

B5 • Employer Tips on Job and Internship Success

Session Chair

Kelly Masegian

Career Counselor, SJSU Career Center

Session Summary

Hear from company representatives about how to best approach all aspects of the job search from applying to interviewing to career growth.

Meeting Room: 1A

Shalini Agarwal

Sr Director, Engineering, LinkedIn

Sharon Basil

Biopharma Inside Account Manager, Agilent

Manisha Gambhir

Distinguished Engineer, Marvell

Isela Garcia

Recruiter, Google

B6 • Secrets of Salary Negotiation Workshop

Session Chair

Sandra De Leon

Career Counselor / SJSU Career Center, San José State University

Session Summary

Gain confidence to negotiate your future benefits and pay! Empower yourself to bridge the gender pay gap by learning the top strategies for salary negotiation.

Meeting Room: 1B

12:00-12:45 pm

Lunch

12:45-1:15 pm

Lunch Keynote

Topic: The Power of Curiosity Combined with an Engineering Mindset
Ruthie D. Lyle, Ph.D.
Principal Technical Patent Architect, NVIDIA

Plenary Speech

Topic: Engineering Your Best Career
Merline Saintil
Silicon Valley Executive and Board Member

1:15-1:45 pm

Roundtable Discussions

1:45-2:00 pm

Break

2:00-3:00 pm

Concurrent Session C

Emerging Technologies Concurrent Sessions

C1 • Electric and Self Driving Vehicles

Session Chair

Lin Jiang

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

With the electrification of transportation and integration of self-driving cars in the smart city concept, it is clear that electric autonomous vehicles will play a crucial role in the near future. Speakers from Tesla, Lucid Motor, and Aurora will speak about hot trends in battery management, self-driving safety, and machine learning in EV self-driving in this session.

Meeting Room: 2

Advanced Cell Manufacturing Techniques to Fulfill Tesla Mission

Presentation Abstract

Alice Diao

Staff Cell Materials Engineer/Cell Engineering, Tesla Motors

Diagnostic and predictive Battery Management for EV

Presentation Abstract

Anuradha Kodali

Data Science Manager, Lucid Motors

Delivering a self-driving future safely, quickly, and broadly

Presentation Abstract

Yanbing Li

Senior VP, Engineering, Aurora

C2 • Quantum Computing

Session Chairs

Hilary Hurst

Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy, SJSU

Hiu Yung Wong

Assistant Professor and Silicon Valley AMDT Endowed Chair, Electrical Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of matter at the atomic and subatomic scale, which can act in surprising and powerful ways. Quantum computing capitalizes on the laws of quantum mechanics to create new algorithms and computers that can perform tasks beyond the reach of today’s computer technology. Confined to research labs for many decades, quantum computers are now entering the private sector, where ‘quantum engineers’ are working to build new and better quantum hardware. Join this session to learn about the new field of quantum computing and opportunities to get involved. Leaders in research and industry will speak about the promise and challenges of ‘real-world’ quantum computing.

Meeting Room: 4A

Reducing Noise in Quantum Processors

Presentation Abstract

Kristin Beck

Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Applications & Process Challenges in Quantum Computing Circuits

Presentation Abstract

Hilal Cansizoglu, Ph.D.

Lead Integration Engineer/FAB, Rigetti Computing

Quantum Computing with Neutral-Atom Arrays

Presentation Abstract

Kayleigh Cassella, Ph.D.

Senior Quantum Engineer, Atom Computing

Near-term quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry

Presentation Abstract

Meltem Tolunay, Ph.D.

Research Staff Member / Quantum Applications, IBM Research

C3 • Next Generation Biotech

Session Chairs

Crystal Han

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, SJSU

Yun Wang

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering SJSU

Session Summary

The field of biotechnology has been growing at a revolutionary speed, enabling new ways to predict, monitor, diagnose, and treat diseases. In this session, you will hear about emerging biotechnologies from panelists from both academia and industry. The topics to be discussed include AI-powered medical imaging, smart health monitoring, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), along with real-world perspectives on career options in biotech.

Meeting Room: 4B

Technology: Improving Life with Diabetes

Presentation Abstract

Charlotte Blanck

Senior Staff Product Owner, Dexcom Inc

Genomic Sequencing: Technology & Product Lifecycle Management

Presentation Abstract

Renu Jayakrishnan

Sr Systems Engineer, Illumina

AI-Powered Medical Imaging for Personalized and Precision Radiotherapy

Presentation Abstract

Lianli Liu

Clinical Assistant Professor/Radiation Oncology, Stanford University

C4 • Technologies for Entertainment

Session Chair

Jorjeta Jetcheva

Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

The entertainment sector is one of the most active users of state-of-the-art technologies and presents exciting opportunities for innovation and creativity.  Our speakers will touch on several state-of-the-art trends in this space, including machine learning-driven visual understanding for social and entertainment platforms, using artificial intelligence for growth, retention and engagement of users, as well as cybersecurity challenges for streaming platforms.

Meeting Room: 3

Machine Learning for Roblox

Presentation Abstract

Michelle Gong

Engineering Leader, Roblox

Presentation Abstract

Deepa Paranjpe

Director of Engineering, Warner Bros Discovery (WBD)

A Zero Trust Platform

Presentation Abstract

Dr. Gelareh Taban

Software Security Engineer, Cash App

Concurrent Session C

Professional Development Concurrent Sessions

C5 • Engineering Career Pathways

Session Chairs

Debra Caires

Career Coach, SJSU

Kelly Masegian

Career Counselor, SJSU Career Center

Session Summary

Engineering Career Pathways explores steps to an effective career plan. Panelists share how they identified their career options and progressed through the maze of advancement and promotion. Hear the strategies for developing career pathways by examining interests, skills, and values through self-assessment. Panelists will share their journey for prioritizing options with short-range and long-range goals in mind.

Meeting Room: 1A

Leena Bagwe

Senior Technical Program Manager, LinkedIn

Isadora McCullough

BioPharma Account Manager, Agilent

Amanda Moran, Nvidia

Presentation Abstract

Sonali Parthasarathy

Senior Engineering Manager, Instacart

Jyoti Sarin, Amazon

Presentation Abstract

C6 • Manage Money Like a Boss: Learn and Earn

Session Chair

Denise Li Thurlow

Information Security Analyst/Information Security, Denise Thurlow’s Writery

Session Summary

Come prepared to learn, then go out and earn! This session is a workshop to map your financial future so you can set it and forget it. Learn how to negotiate that first salary, select benefits that optimize value and health, budget your ideal lifestyle, save for big milestones like house, wedding, and kids, and retire comfortably. Be prepared to participate – this is about your actual real financial life.

Meeting Room: 1B

3:00-3:15 pm

Break

3:15-4:45 pm

Concurrent Career Panels

Concurrent Career Panels

I • Software and Information Technology

Session Chair

Magdalini Eirinaki

Professor, Computer Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Meeting Room: Student Union Theater

Neha Bindle

Software Development Engineer, Amazon

Charlotte Blanck

Senior Staff Product Owner, Dexcom Inc

Marilenis Lee

Android Developer Relations, Google via HCL

Aakrati Talati

Software Engineer, Databricks

II • Semiconductor and Electronics

Session Chair

Xiao Su

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, College of Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Meeting Room: 4B

Tripti Bhanti

Senior Program Manager, TSMC

Melinda Mendolla

MTS, Global Product Safety Engineer, Mattson Technology

Katrina Mikhaylich

Sr. Director, Process Technology/CMP Business Unit, Applied Materials

Zhan Yu

Associate Vice President, Marvell Semiconductors

III • Biomedical and Biotech

Session Chair

Nicole Okamoto

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies and Student Success, SJSU

Session Summary

Meeting Room: 3

Jennifer Gushue

Associate Vice President of MS Marketing, Agilent Technologies

Cynthia Ouandji

Systems Verification Engineer, Ethicon Inc

Joyce Pepper

Director, Software Product Owners / Research & Development, Dexcom

Wendy Young

Director, Design Quality, Stryker Neurovascular

IV • Aerospace and Aeronautics

Session Chair

Tina Panontin

Professor, San José State University

Session Summary

Meeting Room: 4A

Haley Cummings

Principal Investigator, ROAMX, NASA Ames Research Center

Denise Lainez

Systems Engineer Sr./ Engineering Leadership Development Program, Lockheed Martin

Jessica Marquez

Human Systems Engineer, NASA

Elsa Sebastian

Systems Engineering Lead, Xwing

Irene Tollinger

Co-founder, Product, Engineering, and Design, Acre Labs Inc

V • Building, Infrastructure, and the Environment

Session Chairs

Thalia Anagnos

Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, SJSU

Olivia Yip

Assistant Professor, Civil and Engineering, SJSU

Session Summary

Meeting Room: 1B

Janet Kan

GE, CEG Project Director, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Laurel Larsen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor/Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Kimberly Ota, S.E.

Project Engineer, PARADIGM Structural Engineers

Ariel Ward

Transportation Engineer/Livable Streets, SFMTA

4:45-5:00 pm

Break

5:00-7:00 pm

WiE Innovation Showcase, Networking Reception, Prize Drawing

Sponsors