Northwestern Engineering’s Jie Gu and members of his Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) Lab presented three papers on applied AI chip technology at the 2024 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) — the foremost global forum for advances in solid-state circuits and system-on-a-chip — held February 18-22 in San Francisco.

Georgia Tech Unveils New AI Makerspace in Collaboration with NVIDIA

By: Jason Maderer

Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering has established an artificial intelligence supercomputer hub dedicated exclusively to teaching students. The initiative — the AI Makerspace — is launched in collaboration with NVIDIA.

College leaders call it a digital sandbox for students to understand and use AI in the classroom. 

Initially focusing on undergraduate students, the AI Makerspace aims to democratize access to computing resources typically reserved for researchers or technology companies. Students will access the cluster online as part of their coursework, deepening their AI skills through hands-on experience. The Makerspace will also better position students after graduation as they work with AI professionals and help shape the technology’s future applications. 

NJ AI summit spotlights an 'extraordinary opportunity' to

lead in AI technology and its

responsible development

By: Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

The New Jersey AI Summit brought together 600 leaders from academia, business and government at Princeton University on April 11 to explore the rapidly evolving possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence and to begin charting a course for New Jersey’s role in the future of AI.

The event featured rapid-fire presentations from world-class AI experts at Princeton and across New Jersey, along with broader perspectives provided by Gov. Phil Murphy, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, and Princeton Provost Jennifer Rexford.It also marked progress in the development of a New Jersey AI hub, announced in December by Murphy and Eisgruber, in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

New Texas Center Will Create Generative AI Computing Cluster Among Largest of Its Kind

By: Nat Levy Cockrell School of Engineering

UT is launching the Center for Generative AI, powered by a new GPU computing cluster, among the largest in academia. The cluster will comprise 600 NVIDIA H100s GPUs — short for graphics processing units, specialized devices to enable rapid mathematical computations, making them ideal for training AI models. The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) will host and support the cluster, called Vista.

Cadence Generative AI Solution:

A Comprehensive Suite for Chip-to-System Design

Cadence is thrilled to reintroduce you to a groundbreaking development in electronic system design—the Cadence.AI Platform. First unveiled with Cadence Cerberus in 2021 and in its full scope at CadenceLIVE 2023, this innovative solution comprises five powerful applications spanning semiconductor chip design to system optimization. Learn more about AI from chips to systems.

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David Junkin

Program Management

Director - Academic Partnerships

Q. Tell us about Cadence, its history, mission, and products.

A. Cadence is a pivotal leader in electronic design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. The company applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers are the world’s most innovative companies, delivering extraordinary electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications, including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, industrial, and healthcare. For 10 years in a row, Fortune magazine has named Cadence one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn more - www.cadence.com

Q. Tell us about your responsibilities at Cadence as Program Management Director of Academic Partnerships.

A. Educators play a valuable role in shaping the future of technology by cultivating the next generation of engineers. It’s our goal to enable easy access to industry tools and training in the classroom and labs so that professors have all the tools they need to be education trailblazers. We want to highlight and proliferate the amazing work that is already being done and partner with faculty to enhance the curriculum on campus.



We are passionate about fostering the next generation of innovators and promoting the amazing work already being done.  The opportunities that exist in the semiconductor space can help attract and encourage more students to get involved.  By getting more students engaged, we are expanding the talent pool beyond traditional educational areas.  The solutions to most design problems are so complicated that the goal is no longer to find the “right” answer, the goal is to find the “best” answer.  A more diverse workforce will provide a larger solution space that is better equipped to find the best answer.

Q. What are some challenges you see facing students interested in electrical and computer engineering?

A. With the incorporation of AI, the advancement of technology, and the intelligence of the current engineering population, the industry is changing at an unimaginable pace. Students need to explore ways to challenge themselves outside the classroom and develop skills to continuously learn beyond traditional educational environments.

Q. How is Cadence helping education?

A. The Cadence Academic Network delivers Intelligent System Design™ technology, training, and programs to academic institutions and innovators in the global academic community. With Cadence technology, computational software expertise, and collaboration, academic institutions can turn design concepts into reality even faster. Encouraging education and innovation with cutting-edge technology prepares students for a successful career, influencing the electronics industry for years to come. 

We can be the connecting piece between industry and academia, creating a knowledge network of educators, researchers, industry advisors, and Cadence to facilitate the sharing of technology expertise and best education practices. 

Veena Misra

TVA Professor and Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

North Carolina State University

My name is Veena Misra and I am the department head and M.C. Dean Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering at NC State University. I am a three time alumna of EE at NC State and have obtained by BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees.

I have also spent my entire academic year and risen through the ranks from assistant to associate to full professor.I have also had the pleasure of being the founding director of an NSF Engineering Research Center called Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies. My research and teaching is in the area of semiconductors materials and devices and sensors for health and environment. I have also had the pleasure of serving as the interim department head for the last 11 months.

Q. What inspired you to take on the role of department chair?

A. I was driven by the opportunity to help faculty build exciting and impactful research teams, attract more students to the discipline of ECE, build an exciting curriculum, and create a thriving environment for all faculty, students, and staff.

Q. In your role as department chair, what did you find to be the most surprising or unexpected?

A. The amount of time it takes to do annual reviews for all the faculty.

Q. What are your immediate priorities and goals for your department?

A. I look forward to helping our faculty drive new research directions, including semiconductors, quantum, power systems, Hardware for AI, and more. I also want to increase student enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs, build an exciting curriculum, and increase women in ECE.

Q. What do you believe is the most essential trait for a department chair to possess, and how do you plan to cultivate that trait? 

A. I have learned that the most important traits are to listen to all stakeholders, be transparent, communicate often, be open to change and above all stay calm! I have been working on all these traits and hopefully I have a good handle on them.

Q. What do you most look forwared to in participating as an ECEDHA member?

A. I am looking forward to working closely with ECEDHA to help drive innovative initiatives in attracting students into ECE and increasing the number of women in our discipline. 

Q. What is a fun fact about yourself? 

A. I love to bike and listen to audiobooks during 3 mile walks which I try to do every day!

Meet Duschia Bodet

iREDEFINE is a workshop funded by the NSF with the goal of increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in ECE faculty positions. The iREDEFINE Fellows participate in dedicated programming to support their academic career paths, attend ECEDHA sessions, present their research, and take part in mock interviews.

I am a fourth-year PhD student at Northeastern University exploring physical-layer solutions for sub-Terahertz and Terahertz communications, and I had the privilege of participating in the iREDEFINE workshop this past March. The iREDEFINE workshop provided me with several invaluable benefits. First, the workshop clarified the numerous responsibilities of professors as well as how the role might vary in different kinds of institutions. Furthermore, it provided guidance for the application process and opportunities to meet and learn from faculty and department chairs. The workshop also instilled more confidence in my desire to continue in this field and my ability to navigate the application process. 

My dream of becoming a professor emerged in the final year of my combined B.S.-M.S. program at Northeastern University during two part-time co-ops: one at an elementary school and the other at the Air Force Research Laboratory. During this 6-month period, I realized that I loved the combination of research and teaching… and that perhaps I should seriously consider my thesis advisor’s suggestion of continuing in his lab for a PhD. Even though the idea of being a teacher appealed to me, I had never considered being a professor. Looking back, I realize this may have something to do with the fact that I never had a college professor – or even a high school science teacher – who looked anything like me. For this reason, iREDEFINE’s focus on underrepresented minorities is especially important. Not only did the workshop provide practical information, but it also created an invaluable community of PhD and post-doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds in ECE. 

I will begin applying for professorships this fall, and as a professor, my hope is to inspire young researchers with my work in addition to encouraging and mentoring students who perhaps – like me – did not initially realize research was an option for them. 

Meet Darianne Sinclair

The IEC 2to4 program is an IEC initiative focused on supporting first-generation, underrepresented minority community college students in their transition to completing four-year ECE degrees. In Fall 2023, the first cohort of 2to4 students received scholarship funds. We invite you to share in their academic journey. 

Learn more about the IEC 2to4 program.

“I began pursuing computer science and computer engineering primarily because I wanted career stability and growth in a field I see as integral to the future. Initially, I was unsure of my career path; I explored different majors, including biology and nursing, but found nursing emotionally challenging, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience led me to reevaluate my career goals and recognize the significance of technology and cybersecurity.

My interest in technology was influenced by my current job as a background specialist, where I frequently interact with IT professionals and appreciate the importance of network security and IT support. Additionally, the flexibility of working remotely in the tech field aligns with my personal goals of maintaining a hands-on role in my children's lives.

I like the continuous learning opportunities in computer science. I am interested in coding, software engineering, cybersecurity, and building my own computer.”

We are pleased to announce all our newly appointed members of the Board of Directors

Treasurer

Michael Wu

University of Arizona

Member-at-Large

Daniela Tuninetti

University of Illinois, Chicago

Are you interested in participating in planning sessions for the 

2025 Annual Conference & ECExpo? 

Join the 2025 Program Committee!

Please contact Elizabeth Hibbler for more details. 

Ehibbler@ecedha.org

Renew Today!

2023-2024 ECEDHA Academic Membership

Renew your membership today to continue receiving ECEDHA member benefits:

• Access to the ECEDHA Virtual Programming
• The opportunity to attend the 2025 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo in Norfolk, Virginia
• The opportunity to participate in the ECEDHA Annual Survey, a valuable tool for benchmarking data
• Complimentary job posting service via the ECEDHA website
• And much more!

Looking for your membership packet? Please contact the ECEDHA membership director at membership@ecedha.org.

Have an article you would like to share?

Articles of interest to ECEDHA members for the ECEDHA Source are always welcome. Email your article for consideration to information@ecedha.org. 

ECE Summit: What is the Role of ChatGPT in ECE? How will Generative AI Drive Innovation?

Webinar produced in partnership by:

ECE Foundation & NVIDIA

Professional Growth Series: Interview Like a Pro

Webinar produced in partnership by:

Texas Instruments &

Inclusive Engineering Consortium