Beach WIE Sessions 2024
9:45-10:45am Sessions
Description: Los Angeles and Long Beach recently received a $1.2B federal grant to establish a regional hydrogen hub. Hydrogen power holds promise as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, offering a pathway towards reducing carbon emissions and advancing a more environmentally friendly energy landscape.
Moderator : Jingyi Zeng, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
- Jennifer Medina, Hydrogen Engineering Team Lead, SoCalGas
- Leah Pillsbury, Controls Engineer, Ivys; member, CA H2 Business Council Board
Description: Cybersecurity hardware encompasses a range of physical devices designed to protect computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and breaches. Examples include items such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, secure routers and switches, hardware security modules, and secure storage devices.
Moderator: Amin Rezaei, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers:
- April Chaire, Reverse Engineer, Raytheon Technologies
- Nimisha Limaye, ASIC Digital Design Engineer, Synopsys
Description: Fashion technology involves the intersection of fashion and cutting-edge technologies to enhance various aspects of the industry. This interdisciplinary field integrates advancements like wearable tech, smart textiles, and digital innovations into the design, production, and retail processes.
Moderator: Gina Bibby, Partner, Withers Bergman LLP
Speakers:
- Karen Abarca, Freelance Design Engineer, Knitbyperl
- Lauren Choi, Founder and CEO, The New Norm
Description: Engineering codes of ethics are a tenant of our profession and guide the moral and ethical considerations when designing, building, and implementing technological solutions. Engineers have a responsibility to ensure that engineering contributes positively to society and that we maintain the trust and safety of the public.
Moderator: Dr. Darr Hashempour, ºÚÁÏÍø Lecturer, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
- Delilah Nunez, Systems Director, The Aerospace Corporation
- Jessica Petty, Sr Manager of Emerging Issue Investigations, Hyundai North American Safety Office
11:00am-12:00pm Sessions
Description: Sustainable transportation refers to systems and modes of movement that minimize environmental impact, promote economic viability, and prioritize social equity.
Moderator : Shams Tanvir, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Civil Engineerng and Construction Engineering Management
Speakers:
- Sunny Zia, Senior Civil Engineer, Port of Long Beach
- Rachel Jewkes, Vehicle Technical Program Manager, Rivian
​Description: FinTech is short for Financial Technology, and encompasses a wide range of applications that leverage software, algorithms, and cutting-edge technologies to enhance and streamline various aspects of the financial industry.
Moderator: Shabnam Sodagari, ºÚÁÏÍø Associate Professor, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers:
- Sandra Labib, Fraud Prevention PMO Lead, Intuit
- Jennifer L Johnson, Board of Directors, Women in CleanTech
Description: Ethical biotechnology refers to the application of biotechnological practices in a manner that considers things like human rights, environmental impact, and societal well-being. Examples include informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, equitable access, and transparency.
Moderator: Dr. Wan Lee, ºÚÁÏÍø Lecturer, Chemical Engineering
Co-Moderator: Dr.Ga-young Suh, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Speakers:
- Alicia Lanzoni, Applied Medical
- Sanaz Massoumi, COO, Patient Safety Movement Foundation
Description: Panelists will discuss the pros and cons of going to graduate school or directly to industry after receiving a bachelor's degree, and lessons learned from their own career journeys.
Moderator: Dr. Nim Marayong, ºÚÁÏÍø Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
- Jessica Min, Associate Civil Engineer, Sunrun
- Sepideh Faraji, Scientist, R.C. Costello
- Emily Randig, MS, EIT, Design Engineer, PACE Advanced Civil Engineering
2:15-3:15pm Sessions
Description: Green infrastructure is an integral part of sustainable urban planning and design, and balances quality of life for residents with the health of the environment. The historic 2021 federal infrastructure bill addresses clean water, high-speed internet, roads/bridges/public transportation/airports/ports/rail/EVs, clean energy, climate change mitigation, and pollution.
Moderator: Amr Morsey, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management
Speakers:
- Julia Ragragio Ruiz, Sustainability Director, Gensler
- Lori Izakelian, Program Manager, Port of Long Beach
Description: Next-generation communications refers to the wireless communications networks of the future. The 5G network is currently available in parts of the US, and the 6G (and beyond) are in the works.
Moderator: Sean Kwon, ºÚÁÏÍø Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Speakers:
- Mozhdeh Najafabadi, Deputy Division Chief, Department of Defense SATCOM
- Zahra Safarian, principal RFIC design engineer, Broadcom
Description: Healthcare informatics is the application of information technology and data science to manage and analyze health information effectively.
Moderator: Dr. Shadnaz Asgari, ºÚÁÏÍø Professor, Biomedical Engineering/Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers:
- Jessica Vo, Data Scientist, Masimo
- Emily Woodman-Nance, CEO/Co-founder, At Their Side
Description: Internships are an invaluable resource that allow you to gain experience and get paid. They are an insider’s tip to success in school and in the field.
Moderator: Kim Armstrong, Sr HR Business Partner, Boeing
Speakers:
- Mariel Cisneros, Sr. Program Manager, Northrup Grumman
- Brianna Campbell, Sr, Program Manager, Rivian
- Tan Warren, VP of Business, Brascia Builders
3:30-4:30pm Sessions -Career Panels
Description: Long Beach is in close proximity to many start-up and established companies in the Space industry. The work that they do includes satellites, rockets, rovers, human spaceflight, space navigation and control, among other things.
Moderator: Eun Jung Chae, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
- Christina Bravo, Director of Operations, Northrup Grumman
- Maribel Jaquez, Sr. Mission Assurance Engineer, Millennium Space Systems
Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning from experience, understanding language, and recognizing patterns. AI is advancing rapidly and driving innovation in a wide range of fields.
Moderators: Ava Hedayatipour, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering
Speakers:
- Yolanda Gil, Director of the Information Sciences Institute, USC
- Pavitra Krishnan, Senior Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services
Description: A start-up company is a newly established business venture, often characterized by innovation, entrepreneurship, and lean operations. The workplace culture at start-up companies typically varies from that at an established company.
Moderator: Dr. Anna Lee, ºÚÁÏÍø Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering
Speakers:
- Becca Chanowitz, Product Design Engineer, Rivian
- Jennifer Soriano, Manufacturing Scientist, Molecular Instruments
- Robin Thorne, CEO, CTI
Description: Recent engineering and computer science graduates talk about their experiences making the transition from school to work.
Moderator: Dr. Elhami Nasr, ºÚÁÏÍø Professor, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management
Speakers:
- Amber Perez, Electronics Engineer, the Aerospace Corp
- Victoria Patterson, Systems Engineer, NGC
Note: ºÚÁÏÍø events and scholarships are open to all ºÚÁÏÍø students, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity.