All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time
Wednesday, 3 June
12:00 P.M. – 12:10 P.M.
Welcome – with Sean Bentley
12:15 P.M. – 1:05 P.M.
KEYNOTE – Development of Accessible Digital Technologies to Promote Inclusive Healthcare – with Dr. Azadeh Yadollahi
Advances in digital technologies and incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have significantly advanced monitoring of physiological signals, and enabled people to better manage their health. This is well demonstrated by current growth in smart watches, patches, and mobile applications. Despite their huge potential, these technologies have major limitations with respect to reliability, accessibility, and accuracy, which limit their widespread use. Accessibility concerns are highlighted for underserved peoples, such as older adults, those with mobility concerns and low socio-economic status.
In this talk, I will discuss the importance of developing accessible and user-centered digital technologies to assess the cardio-respiratory system. These technologies include textile-based, speech-based and acoustic technologies to assess sleep, respiratory system, and cardiac function. I will also provide examples about establishing inter-disciplinary partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including engineers, healthcare providers, end-users, health policy decision-makers, and community partners in aging. I will provide real-world examples how the focus on inclusive design will empower end-users and ensure adoption of digital technologies.
1:15 P.M. – 2:50 P.M.
Tech Talks
A chance to sit down with experts from exciting areas of technology and engineering to have small round-table conversations about the industry and how you can make an impact.
3:00 P.M. – 3:50 P.M.
Navigating the fast-moving waters of artificial intelligence, trust, and policy – with William Bartholomew
Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than our shared understanding of how it should be designed, deployed, and trusted. Drawing on my transition from engineering into public policy, this session explores why questions of ethics, trust, and societal impact are increasingly part of an engineer’s toolkit. In my role as Co–Vice Chair of the IEEE‑USA AI Public Policy Committee, I’ll share how IEEE‑USA helps translate real engineering experience into constructive conversations with policymakers—so that decisions about AI are informed by technical reality. Through practical examples, this talk highlights how engineers can help shape outcomes, not just technologies, and why students have a unique opportunity to influence how AI earns and maintains public trust.
4:00 P.M. – 4:50 P.M.
Technology for Safety & Security – with Logan Wilcox, IMS Society, Neeli Prasad, Women In Engineering and
Sean Bentley (moderator)
Modern technological advancements are central to the safety and security of essentially everything from digital information to personal health, physical infrastructure, and more. This panel discussion will explore this topic, looking at where we are now and ways future innovations might evolve our dependence on technology for safety.
5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Networking
Meet up with your fellow attendees in this free-wheeling networking session, discuss the day’s sessions, and expand your contacts.
Thursday, 4 June
10:00 A.M. – 10:10 A.M.
Welcome – with Jim Jefferies
10:15 A.M. – 11:05 A.M.
Quantum Computing for ECE – with Greg Byrd
Quantum computing is a new paradigm that processes information in ways that exploit the laws of quantum mechanics. Quantum computers exist today, but we are still in the early stages of system and software development. This presentation provides a brief introduction to quantum computers, applications that are likely to benefit, and the opportunities for electrical and computer engineers, and computer scientists, to contribute to the development and commercialization of quantum systems.
11:15 A.M. – 12:05 P.M.
Presentations – Session A
Hear from your fellow attendees as they present short overviews of their work and thoughts on the future of AI to a panel of technology experts.
12:15 P.M. – 1:05 P.M.
KEYNOTE: From Foundations to Applications – with Jill Gostin
From Foundations to Applications invites students and young professionals to explore how the concepts learned in the classroom become the engines of realworld innovation. This session offers a unique opportunity to see how technical fundamentals translate into practical engineering challenges and how handson experiences can accelerate your growth. We’ll look at how internships, projects, and makerspacestyle experimentation deepen your understanding and open doors to fields ranging from AI/ML and healthcare to aerospace, sensors,
and climate science.
We’ll also highlight why projects matter not only for demonstrating technical strength, but for building essential skills such as communication, collaboration, documentation, and problemsolving. You’ll learn how lifelong learning keeps your foundation strong in a rapidly evolving landscape, and how to actively seek opportunities that align with the impact you want to make.
You’ll leave energized and challenged: choose one new skill, one new project, or one step outside your comfort zone and start building your next foundation.
1:15 P.M. – 2:50 P.M.
Career Labs
An interactive session where participants can talk directly with experts to develop skills to advance your careers in tech. Experts and topics include:
Denise Griffin—Presenting Your Best Self Through the Resume and Interview
John McDonald—Establishing and Making the Most of Your Mentor Relationships
Hanane Oudli—Advancing Your Engineering Career with Social Media
3:00 P.M. – 3:50 P.M.
Artemis II: What We Saw, What We Learned, What Comes Next – with Burt Dicht and Rod Pyle
Artemis II was, by design, a test flight. In practice, it marked a meaningful step in humanity’s return to deep space.
In this session, Burt Dicht and Rod Pyle bring perspectives shaped by direct coverage of the mission. Drawing on backgrounds in engineering, history, and space communications, they will explore Artemis II as both a technical achievement and a bridge to what comes next.
The conversation will examine the mission’s key elements: the performance of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, the execution of the lunar flyby, the role of the crew, and the science objectives that guided observations. It will also highlight what the mission revealed, where systems performed well, where challenges emerged, and how those lessons will inform future missions.
For the first time in more than half a century, astronauts traveled beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon. For today’s engineering students, Artemis II is not just a milestone, it is an entry point. This session connects the technical realities of the mission with the opportunities ahead, as Artemis moves toward sustained lunar exploration and the next generation prepares to take part.
4:00 P.M. – 4:50 P.M.
Challenges & Opportunities in Sustainable Energy – with Jessica Bian
While AI has the potential to significantly advance sustainable energy practices through optimized grid management, the growing energy demands of AI data centers pose a major challenge, requiring innovative solutions to mitigate their carbon footprint. This presentation will cover how digital transformation with renewable energy integration can revolutionize the energy sector, driving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. It necessitates collaboration between the tech and energy sectors to navigate this complex landscape and ensure responsible AI deployment for a greener future.
5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Presentations – Session B
Hear from your fellow attendees as they present short overviews of their work and thoughts on the future of AI to a panel of technology experts.
Friday, 5 June
9:45 A.M. – 9:55 A.M.
Welcome
10:00 A.M. – 10:50 P.M.
Stabilizing and Replenishing the Modern Grid: The Critical Role of BESS in the Australian Context – with Nishad Mendis
Energy storage is an increasingly essential component of the modern electric grid. As the penetration of renewable energy rises and conventional generation is phased out, grid operation becomes significantly more complex. To maintain reliability and resilience, the power system requires ancillary services that intermittent sources like wind and solar cannot provide in isolation. Integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)—either as standalone assets or coupled with renewables—offers substantial benefits to the electricity market. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the current BESS landscape in Australia and highlights the key trends and technological advancements that will shape the future of the Australian energy market.
12:00 P.M. – 12:50 P.M.
Cool Tech, Real Work: Why the Future Belongs to Problems, Not Products – with Ann Lazare
The future isn’t shaped by technologies—it’s shaped by what technologies unlock for real people doing real work. We’ll walk through a practical way to evaluate “future tech” through a customer-and-business lens. Attendees will leave with a simple set of questions and patterns they can apply to any trend—AI, autonomy, connected systems, or the next big thing—to ensure innovation translates into impact. Because the future is shaped by technology that solves real problems, creates value, and moves people forward.
1:00 P.M. – 1:50 P.M.
KEYNOTE: Build What’s Next: Security, Standards, and the Future of Tech – with Jeffry Handal
The technology decisions made today will define how the next generation learns, works, and stays secure. You will walk away understanding how Cisco technologies and evolving global standards are transforming the way we work and learn. You will examine the transformation effects AI is having on cybersecurity. Key topics include zero-trust principles, evolving IEEE standards, AI-driven networking, and Cisco’s role in building resilient infrastructure. Attend the session if you are ready to build a safer, more connected future for all.
2:00 P.M. – 2:50 P.M.
GradLab–From the Laboratory to the Lecture Hall: Teaching as a Scholarly Path – with Steve Watkins
Teaching is often viewed as a responsibility that accompanies technical research, but what happens when teaching itself becomes a scholarly pursuit? Dr. Steve Watkins discusses the distinction between teaching practice and pedagogy research, how engineering education research shapes modern classrooms, and how graduate students can explore education-focused career pathways within academia.
