Beach WIE Sessions 2025

Description: Advances in space technology drive innovation in communication, navigation, and space exploration. 

Moderator : Mahdi Yoozbashizadeh, CSULB Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Speakers:

Mozhdeh Najafabadi, Program Manager for Protected Tactical Satellites Communication , Space Force- Department of Defense

J. Shelley, Interim Technical Advisor, US Space Force / AFRL

Jomya Lei, RF Products Manager, RocketLab

Description: Generative AI focuses on creating new content by learning patterns from existing data, and has many exciting applications

Moderator: Susan Nachawati, CSULB Part-time Lecturer, Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Speakers:

Deval Parikh, Principal Enterprise Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services

Sozen Ozkan-Grigoras, 

Description: Construction that involves large-scale infrastructure projects are critical for public works and urban development.

Moderator: Amr Morsey, Assistant Professor, CSULB Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management

Speakers:

Melissa Hilsabeck, Capital Projects Coordinator, Port of Long Beach

 Description: Electrification of vehicles eliminates their carbon emissions, and offer a sustainable transportation alternative to hydrocarbon fuel-power. 

Moderator: Anna Lee, CSULB, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering

Speakers:

Megan Kaminski, Senior Range and Efficiency Engineer, Rivian

NK Ofodile, Head of Systems Engineering, AIBOT

Jessica Petty, Senior Manager, Emerging Issue Investigations, Hyundai Motor America

Description: Tips for setting yourself up now for leadership later in your career

Moderator: Hana Moshirvaziri, CSULB, Part-time Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering & Technical Program Manager at Medtronic

Speakers:

Natalie White, Principal Solutions Architect, AWS

Candace Givens, Sector Vice President Mission Assurance, NGAS, Northrop Grumman

Dinamarie Stefani, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, Outset Medical

Description: Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, are as important as technical skills for professional success

Moderator: Maryam Qudrat, CSULB, Full-time Lecturer, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management

Speakers: 

Sanjana Gupta, Product Marketing Manager, Amazon

Ondine Beaufils, Senior engineering manager, Safran

Michaelyn Thomas, Program Manager, National Security Space, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Description: The integration of robotics with artificial intelligence will lead to limitless applications

Moderator : Emel Demircan, CSULB Associate Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Biomedical Engineering

Speakers:

Emily Woodman-Nance, CEO & Co-Founder, At Their Side

Natalie Petouhoff, Senior Advisor, Applied Empathy in AI, Machani Robotics

​Description: The overwhelming volume of data generated in the digital age requires innovative management and analysis to extract insights

Moderator: Hailu Xu, CSULB Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Speakers:

TBA

Description: Infrastructure that is environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and promote long-term ecological and societal benefits

Moderator: Shams Tanvir, CSULB Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management
 

Speakers:

Julia Ragragio Ruiz, Sustainability Director, Gensler

Anne Devine, Director of Global Supply Chain, Motive Energy

Dina Aryan-Zahlan, Deputy Executive Director, Development, Port of Los Angeles

Description: Advanced materials engineered for their properties have a wide range of applications, such as Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Military, and Energy Systems.

Moderator: Neda KaramiMohammadi, CSULB Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Speakers:

Marisol Jablonski, Hydroform USA

Cassandra Buru, Nikon

Description: Internships provide practical experience, industry exposure, and professional networking opportunities. They are a key to career readiness.

Moderator: Marina Crawford, Professional Development & Internship Specialist, CSULB

Description: Who you know can be as important as what you know - a professional network can provide mentorship and industry insights

Moderator: Jennifer Johnson, Founder and Principal, Moreton Bay Advisory

Speakers:

Mariel Cisneros, Sr. Program Manager, Digital Engineering, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Dr. Kim Armstrong, Sr HRBP - BGS Engineering, Boeing

Debra Brennan Santos, 

 Description: Clean energy reduces pollution to the environment and mitigates anthropogenic climate change

Moderator: Jingyi Zeng CSULB Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Speakers:

Lucie Nurdin, Chemical Engineer - Team Lead, Terraform Industries

Susan Brennan, President and Founder, Susan Brennan Leadership

 Description: CET combines electrical engineering and computer science applications and their graduates are sought by many industries

Moderator: Ava Hedayatipour, CSULB Assitant Professor, Electrical Engineering

Speakers:

Delilah Nunez, Systems Director, The Aerospace Corporation

Description: Environmental engineers work on solutions to improve air and water quality, waste management, and sustainable practices. They are crucial for protecting the planet.

Moderator: Pitiporn Asvapathanagul, CSULB Professor, Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management

Speakers:

Manisha Dhawan, VP Strategic Projects, Applied Membranes Inc (AMI)

Shannon Lee, Senior Air Quality Engineering Manager, South Coast AQMD

Description: Why participating in active learning is so important - the case for getting involved

Moderator: Marwan Youssef, CSULB Professor of Practice—Beavers Endowed Chair for the Department of Civil Engineering & Construction Engineering

Speakers: 

Karen Abarca, Communication Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman

Megan Schneider, Client Account Leadership / Director, Board of Directors, Accenture / Municipal Water District of Orange County

Rachel Trabert, Senior Systems Engineer, RocketLab

Description: Come hear from recent graduates who have made the transition from college to career

Moderator: Sergio Mendez, CSULB Associate Professor and Chair, CHE Undergraduate Advisor, Chemical Engineering

Speakers: 

Mariel Trajano, Information Security Analyst, Laserfiche

Janelisse Gussler, System Test Engineer, Northrop Grumman

Jennifer Soriano, QC/QA Manager, eSalon 

Description: Come hear from undergraduate engineering and computer science majors on transitioning from high school to a big university

Moderator: Janet Lavender, Founder & CEO of Well-Suited