Beach WIE Sessions 2025
9:45-10:45am Sessions
Description: Advances in space technology drive innovation in communication, navigation, and space exploration.
Moderator : Mahdi Yoozbashizadeh, É«ÖÐÉ« Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
Mozhdeh Najafabadi, Program Manager for Protected Tactical Satellites Communication , Space Force- Department of Defense
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, É«ÖÐÉ« Part-time Lecturer, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers:
Deval Parikh, Principal Enterprise Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services
Sozen Ozkan-Grigoras, Senior AI Prompt Engineer, Spotter
Description: Construction that involves large-scale infrastructure projects are critical for public works and urban development.
Moderator: Amr Morsey, Assistant Professor, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ«, 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, É«ÖÐÉ«, 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, É«ÖÐÉ«, 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
11:00am-12:00pm Sessions
Description: The integration of robotics with artificial intelligence will lead to limitless applications
Moderator : Emel Demircan, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ« Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Speakers:
Description: Infrastructure that is environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and promote long-term ecological and societal benefits
Moderator: Shams Tanvir, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ«
Speakers:
Caitlin Rubia, Lead Data Engineer at Chevron
Samantha Villa Floran, Space Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman
Hope Daley-Babbit, Reliability & Machinery Engineering Team Lead at Chevron
Victoria Bravo, Ride, Safety, and Engineering at Universal Creative
Lyka Gutierrez, Certification Plan Owner at The Boeing Company
Juliana Resong, Senior BIM Project Lead at Southland Industries
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, (ret) Boeing/IAWA
2:00-3:00pm Sessions
Description: Clean energy reduces pollution to the environment and mitigates anthropogenic climate change
Moderator: Jingyi Zeng É«ÖÐÉ« Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Speakers:
Lucie Nurdin, Chemical Engineer - Lead Reactor Engineer, 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, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ« 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, É«ÖÐÉ« Associate Professor and Chair, CHE Undergraduate Advisor, Chemical Engineering
Speakers:
Mariel Trajano, Information Security Analyst, Laserfiche
Janelisse Gussler, System Test Engineer, Northrop Grumman
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
Note: É«ÖÐÉ« events and scholarships are open to all É«ÖÐÉ« students, regardless of sex, race, or ethnicity.