Beach WIE Sessions 2024

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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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

Description: Sustainable transportation refers to systems and modes of movement that minimize environmental impact, promote economic viability, and prioritize social equity.

Moderator : Shams Tanvir, CSULB 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, CSULB 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, CSULB Lecturer, Chemical Engineering
Co-Moderator: Dr.Ga-young Suh, CSULB 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, CSULB 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

 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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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

 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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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, CSULB 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, CSULB Professor, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management

Speakers:

• Amber Perez, Electronics Engineer, the Aerospace Corp
• Victoria Patterson, Systems Engineer, NGC