The IEEE Rising Stars Conference is designed to inform, excite, enthuse, and bring together the top engineering students and young professionals around the world to network and be inspired by each other. The program includes Technical Innovation Talks, Professional Development, Workshops & Competitions, and Networking Opportunities with industry and peers.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Looking for something meaningful and and stimulating for your children to do in between the holidays? We invite you and your family to join us for an inspiring Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs –Glad Tidings/IEEE Youth Winter STEM Workshop, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational experience designed specifically for students from underrepresented communities. This in-person event will be held at 27709 Tyrrell Ave, where you can meet other curious minds and learn from experienced instructors. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the wonders of STEM in a supportive and engaging environment. Register now to secure your spot!

Scholarships available, please email: benita.mclarin@gladtidingscogic.org

Where: Glad Tidings Family Life Complex

When: 12/30, 9am to 3:00pm.

Who: Students aged 8–17 (parents encouraged to attend)

STEM education is more than just learning about technology or engineering—it’s about developing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are essential in today’s world. By exposing your child to STEM:

• Help them discover new interests and talents.
• Prepare them for high-paying and rewarding careers.
• Show them that they can be creators, innovators, and leaders.

Schedule:
8:15 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast Available· Light Breakfast including cereals, fruit and juice for children· Coffee and pastries for volunteers· Meals Catered by Divine Purpose Catering

9:00 – 9:20 AM | Welcome & Kickoff

• Welcome
• Overview of the workshop theme: “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”
• Review of safety rules
• Introduction of volunteers, experiment leads, and technology demonstrators
• Brief explanation of how technology connects to cooking (Instant Pot sensors, microwaves & magnetrons)

9:20 – 9:45 AM | Opening Technology Demonstration (Large Group)Tech Demo #1: How Microwaves Cook Food

Led by IEEE-USA President Tim Lee

Sample Questions for Consideration:

• What is a magnetron?
• How microwaves heat water molecules
• Demonstration: Heating different foods & observing heat distribution
• Safety discussion: microwave-safe containers

9:45 – 10:10 AM | Technology Demonstration #2 (Large Group)Tech Demo #2: The Science & Engineering Behind an Instant Pot

Led by engineering guest (or enriched by Nirupama’s consulted mechanical engineer)

• Pressure, temperature regulation, sensors
• How smart cooking devices automate heat control
• Demonstration using safe, simple food item
• Discussion: Technology innovations in home cooking

10:10 – 10:20 AM | Transition & Break

10:20 AM – 12:00 PM | Hands-On Experiment Rotations

Participants rotate through 3 stations (25 minutes each) Stations may include:

Experiment Station

1. Make Your Own Cheese – Simple paneer or ricotta – Concepts: curdling, heat, protein structure
2. Pizza Dough Science – Yeast growth & temperature effects – Kneading and gluten formation
3. Microwave Mini-Experiments – Safe items – Observing heating patterns

12:00 – 12:40 PM | Lunch & Informal STEM Challenge

• Pizza or sandwiches and salads
• STEM trivia led by teen volunteers
• “Guess the Technology” game with simple household cooking tools

12:40 – 1:00 PM | Group Activity: The Science of Meatballs

A fun, theme-based demonstration:

• Why meatballs hold together (protein chemistry + binders)
• Heat transfer demo using safe props
• Link back to the workshop’s title

1:00 – 2:45 PM | Hands-On Experiment Rotations (continued)Participants rotate through 4 stations (25 minutes each) Stations may include:

1. Candy Chemistry (Holiday-Themed) – Sugar crystallization, supersaturation – Candy cane or lollipop demo
2. Cookie Engineering – How ingredient ratios change texture – Technology comparison: electric oven vs. Easy Bake
3. Hot Chocolate Lab – Emulsions, heat transfer – Taste-testing temperature differences
4. Grow Sugar or Salt Crystals – Kids take home the starter jars

2:45 – 3:00 PM | Closing, Photos & Thank You

Our Program’s Commitment

Through our partnership with the IEEE Oakland-East Bay Section, TryEngineering, and Glad Tidings, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Here’s why this program is unique:

Mentors Who Care: STEM professionals from your community will guide your child every step of the way.

• Hands-On Learning: Engaging activities like designing bridges, building robots, and creating LED circuits make learning exciting.

Equity in Education: Our goal is to provide access and opportunity to all children, particularly those in underrepresented communities.

We understand the vital role parents play in their child’s success. During the event, you’ll:

• See firsthand how STEM activities boost confidence and teamwork.
• Learn about free and affordable resources to continue your child’s STEM journey.
• Meet other parents who share the same goal of empowering their children.

This is a chance to show your child that their dreams matter and that they belong in STEM fields. Secure your spot today!

Register by Dec. 26th
To ensure we have the proper supplies and resources, please RSVP by end of day Dec. 26, so we can better plan the workshop.

Together, let’s inspire a generation of problem solvers, innovators, and dreamers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,
Aaron Lin, IEEE
Benita McLarin, Glad Tidings

Sessions

We will have 1 hour sessions for each group( back-back). So Session for Group 1: 1:00pm-2:00pm ; Session for Group 2: 2:30pm-3:30pm. We are going to do two groups of 12, because of space that is available. 

Age Range

Ages 17-32.  

Venue: 

City Hall, 425 N. El Dorado St., 3rd Floor (OVP), Stockton, CA 95202. 

Let's connect on Monday next week as this weekend is quite busy.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

This’s a simple gathering where we’ll celebrate our WIE award recipients, welcome our new officers, and share good food, laughter, and stories with the people who have made this year so meaningful.

Artificial intelligence can only create real value when the underlying data, architecture, and governance are ready for it. In this talk, as a system architect I will share practical lessons from experience of designing and leading large-scale insurance platforms at three startup insurance companies, including quoting engines, carrier integrations, and cloud-native lead acquisition systems. Drawing on two decades of experience in insurance technology, I will outline four key prerequisites for successful AI adoption in regulated industries: solid data foundations, modular and API-driven architectures, strong security and compliance practices, and cross-functional teams and processes. The session is aimed at students, engineers, AI practitioners, and business leaders who want a clear, real-world view of how to prepare complex systems for AI at scale.

Sacramento Valley YP Group year end volunteer appreciation dinner and next year plannning in person meetup

MTT SCV/SF Chapter officer meeting - End of year Officer Dinner

Met to discuss chapter election process and planning for 2026 activities.

Join us for delicious pizza from Sgt Pepperoni's Pizza Store and meet other IEEE members in person at our monthly networking event in Irvine! There will be Senior IEEE members who can provide endorsement. Please register with your IEEE # and bring a jacket. There will be both meat and vegetarian options and CHEESECAKE! If you have anything you want to share, such as robots, please bring them along!

Group photo - October 2025: https://r6.ieee.org/ocs/2025/10/october-2025-ieee-day-celebration/

 SDIEEE EXCOM Meeting

Executive Committee meeting to discuss all San Diego IEEE activities.  All IEEE members welcome to attend. Please RSVP. 

• 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm,    Networking and food!
• 6:00 pm, Meeting Starts
• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm,    meeting (in person and/or remote) 
• Meeting Adjourned

To add to the agenda, please email upalmahbub@yahoo.com.   

This presentation will review the evolution of sensing technologies in the power grid—from RTU-based SCADA systems to PMU-based WAMS—and discuss the functions enabled by these measurement platforms, including static state estimation, dynamic state estimation, dynamic model calibration, and more, in support of modern power system operations.

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 🕕

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

Location:  the Beautiful Sinegal Building, Room 100 (next to the Gate House)

Family member (+1 Adult only) are welcome. Exchange holiday gift.   (bring gifts  exchange for ruffle tickets) 

Cost : None , (please register family member in addtion  ( +1Ault only)  and chose diatetary preference 

Agenda: 

 6:00 - 6:20 pm,  reception,  networking  

 6: 20- 6: 40 pm  ( exchange gifts) 

  6:40- 7: 00 Pm   Awards for invaluable  volunteers  

 7:10- 7:20 pm    

Planning for January 2026 Joint Celebration Event 

• Event: IEEE New Era AI + Seattle Section Celebration & Awards

• Date & Venue: January 2026 at the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center  on a Saturday 4pm -8pm option to stay longer. 

• Featuring:

  • Guided tours of the Aviation Center

  • Awards dinner with inspiring speakers

  • Family-friendly activities to welcome IEEE members, families, children, and friends

• Purpose: To honor our volunteers,  speakers and strengthen members' family ties, and inspire young children to envision futures as engineers and scientists.

7:20pm - 7:40pm  Chapter officer canddates, 

7:40 to 8pm  EXCOM approval of the Rising Star Confrence attendance proposals. 

Parking Link  :    https://www.offstreet.io/events/0YC586LL

IEEE President Dr. Kathleen Kramer and IEEE San Diego Sections ExCom will visit Qualcomm where Dr. Kramer will give a talk discussing about IEEE, the value of its membership for industry and many other relevant topics. A reception will follow the talk where local IEEE leadership will interact with Qualcomm's employees to share knowledge and experience.

**Note: Only IEEE San Diego Section's ExCom members and Qualcomm Employees are allowed to attend this event. The eligibility may be verified at the reception.

Agenda:

 

12:30 Chair Makes Announcements and Introduces the Speaker
12:35-1:15 Speaker gives presentation
1:15-1:30 Q&A by the speaker, and final comments by the Chair

Please join us for our annual holiday party and a technical talk from Dr. Michael Ham.

Agentic AI for National Security

Superior semiconductors gave the United States power to wage wars with unprecedented precision and efficiency. Today, the rise of agentic artificial intelligence—AI systems capable of autonomous perception, reasoning, and coordinated action—promises a revolution of similar magnitude. Early glimpses of this shift are visible on the battlefields of Ukraine, where adaptive AI tools are reshaping reconnaissance, targeting, and decision cycles.

This talk will explore how the race for dominance in agentic AI is inseparable from the struggle for supremacy in semiconductors—and how that contest is now expanding to encompass data and energy as the new strategic resources of power. The discussion will conclude with a forward-looking analysis of how future conflicts may unfold when autonomous agents, vast compute networks, and human command structures intersect on the battlefield.

Dr. Michael Ham obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of North Texas in 2007. He has experience with neural networks, ejecta experiments and historical underground nuclear test analysis. He is currently focused on implementing AI systems on historical data, data management and data governance at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Note that lunch will be served. Please RSVP to help us estimate how much food to purchase and to indicate if you have any dietary restrictions/requests.

Admin Officers meeting

Fall Cyber Security Training Series Part 15 (Competition)

Dear IEEE Boise Section Members,

The holiday season is upon us, and we'd like to express our sincere gratitude for your membership this year. To celebrate the spirit of the season and also thank you for being an IEEE Member of the Boise Section, we're hosting a festive Holiday Party!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 12th

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Boise State University - MCMR (Micron Center for Materials Research) Room 105

Join us for an evening of merriment, delicious food, and delightful company. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and celebrate the season together.

RSVP:

Please RSVP by Dec 11th ,so we can get a headcount.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Warmly,

The IEEE Boise Section Opcomm

Join the EMBS Phoenix Chapter as we host an informative discussion on predictive engineering and how it drives innovation in the medical space.

Zoom Link:  https://ulaval.zoom.us/j/69550214937?pwd=iH5u8TmnfzeZUxEc4LMpU1IupTAwvh.1

Time: 12 December 2025, 11.00 AM EST to 12.00 PM EST

Talk Abstract:

The reliable operation of smart grids increasingly relies on wireless communication links deployed within high-voltage substations and distribution infrastructures. However, these environments are dominated by severe electromagnetic interference (EMI), producing bursty, high-amplitude impulsive noise with strong temporal correlation. Conventional transceiver design based on simple clipping/blanking, or memoryless soft decoding fails to ensure reliable connectivity under realistic EMI, resulting in critical degradation of QoS. This talk presents promising EMI-aware transceiver architectures that bridge theoretical modeling and practical resilience. We first revisit EMI characterization in smart grids, highlighting the impulsive, bursty, and dynamic nature of EMI. We then explore transceiver design strategies ranging from enhanced LLR-based detection to AI-driven architectures. Finally, we present fully AI-native deep semantic transceivers that jointly optimize encoding, decoding, and noise mitigation, demonstrating robust communication in presence of strong EMI.

Speaker Biography:

Georges Kaddoum is a professor and the research director of the Resilient Machine Learning Institute (ReMI) at École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Université du Québec, Montréal, Canada. He also holds an industrial research chair and a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair. He earned his Ph.D. in Signal Processing and Telecommunications with High Honors from the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA), University of Toulouse, France, in 2009. His research focuses on wireless communication networks, tactical communications, resource allocation, and network security. Prof. Kaddoum is a member of the Royal Society of Canada and has received multiple prestigious recognitions. He has served as an associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security and IEEE Communications Letters. Currently, he is an area editor for IEEE Transactions on Machine Learning in Communications and Networking and an editor for IEEE Transactions on Communications.

We hope to have you for another interesting talk by one of the experts that we invite from academia, industry, and government.   

* As this online event is free and open to non-IEEE members, please feel free to share it with your colleagues, students, classmates, etc.

* For the abstract and biography of the speaker, please refer to the speakers section below.

* Please note that you will receive a registration confirmation email after you register for the event and you will receive a separate email containing the invite to the meeting later. You can add the link to the meeting invite to your calendar manually as the calendar invite does not get updated automatically.  

Mark Goldstein, President of International Research Center will present how as cities worldwide grapple with rapid urbanization, the rise of mobility-as-a-service, deployment of Internet of Things capabilities, and the need for sustainable development, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into urban systems has emerged as a transformative force. This presentation explores the synergy between AI-driven solutions and knowledge management practices in the context of smart cities and smart places illustrated with unique projects from around the world and best practices.

We will examine how AI enhances data-driven decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and fosters citizen engagement through real-time analytics and predictive modeling. By leveraging AI, smart cities and smart places are turning vast, complex datasets into actionable insights, enabling governments, businesses, and citizens to collaborate in creating sustainable and resilient urban environments.

The session will also discuss key challenges, including ethical considerations, data privacy, and the digital divide, while highlighting case studies from smart cities leading the way in AI innovation. Attendees will gain actionable strategies and resources for implementing AI solutions that align with knowledge management principles to drive innovation and inclusivity in smart city and smart places development.

Abstract: Through this talk we dive into a Digital Twin (DT) framework that leverages reduced-order models enhanced with data-driven (aka hybrid fidelity DT) techniques for real-time monitoring and control of cyber-physical devices in modern power grids. It discusses how we can create high-fidelity DTs as cyber-physical replicas by merging dynamic modeling with data-driven estimation, ultimately boosting situational awareness and grid stability. The talk also covers the pros and cons of traditional model-driven, data-driven DT, and hybrid fidelity DT approaches. We will take a look at the software stack and integration pipeline necessary for deploying hybrid fidelity DTs in cloud or fog environments. Key challenges in developing DTs that incorporate reduced-order models and observer-based control schemes to capture system interactions and enhance accuracy will be discussed. Additionally, we will explore data synchronization issues for Digital Twins-in-the-Loop (DTiL), along with real-time data imputation and decentralized control methods, demonstrating how we can tackle measurement gaps and network disturbances. Finally, we will showcase results from DT implementations for heat pumps, EV chargers, and solar inverters, highlighting the emerging role of DTiL in reinforcement learning, federated learning, and spatio-temporal frameworks in the future of electrical grids.

Requirements on the high-performance compute (HPC) systems from AI workloads necessitates transition to larger package sizes with 2.5D to 3.5D integration and density scaling at every level in the stack. Several competing packaging architectures are emerging to solve the compute and power efficiency challenge presented by AI workloads. Each presents unique lithography challenges such as >100×100 field size, large chip placement deviations, fine lines and tight overlay warped substrates. The conventional lithography tools are incapable of meeting all the requirements to achieve scaling.

The talk will preview Applied Materials’ Digital Lithography Technology (DLT) which enables highest resolution at production throughputs while ensuring CD uniformity and overlay accuracy across the entire panel. 

Ever have a frustrating or even bizarre conversation online? Helpdesk, chatbot, scammer - any of these can make you feel uncomfortable.  Not knowing whether something is human or not can be uncanny.  This is interaction, or discourse, that structures power and control. We create a new concept, Uncanny Discourse, that frames computer and human interaction, informed by the reality-bending nature of AI.

Learn how to face the challenging space of designing interactive systems in the age of AI by grappling with Uncanny Discourse.  Mitigate it or lean in and run with it.  But know that it is out there, weird and waiting.

December ExCom

Abstract:

Rehabilitation robotics leverages the principle of "practice makes perfect" by using repetitive task-based exercises to facilitate motor re-learning and functional recovery, particularly in poststroke rehabilitation. Rooted in neurocognitive rehabilitation theories, robot-assisted therapies provide tailored, intensive training routines that meet individual patient needs. Learning control (LC) strategies, originally developed in 1978 to achieve high tracking performance in industrial applications, offer a compelling framework for controller designs in this field. Unlike traditional control methods, LC algorithms improve performance over time by utilizing information from previous iterations. This talk highlights recent advances in LC designs and illustrates how various LC algorithms effectively address the unique challenges posed by rehabilitation robotics. Additionally, it explores future opportunities for integrating learning control into rehabilitation systems and outlines key research questions for advancing control theory in this critical area.

Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) simulations combine a real-time simulator with a power amplifier to establish a closed-loop interface between a virtual environment and actual power hardware. This approach enables rigorous and comprehensive testing of the power hardware, under realistic operating conditions. PHIL provides a safe, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional testing methods that may involve risk, complexity, or limited scalability.

The presentation will highlight several application domains that have benefited from PHIL implementation. Within the energy storage industry, PHIL facilitates detailed cells, stack, and pack emulation for the development and validation of battery management systems, chargers, and hybrid energy systems. In microgrid research, PHIL plays a critical role in verifying distributed energy resources (DERs) against evolving standards such as IEEE 1547-2018. Complex microgrids where interaction of multiple DERs need to be studied, benefits greatly from PHIL. PHIL has also become an indispensable tool in e-mobility applications, including motor emulation, traction inverter validation, and on-board charger testing—significantly expanding test coverage while reducing development time and cost.

To conclude, this webinar will explore two use-cases in two distinct applications domains of PHIL. The first would be a PHIL implementation of a Hybrid AC-DC microgrid system. With focus on its utility in piecewise integration of large microgrids, and for cyber physical studies. The second use-case would be the use of PHIL for compressor motor emulation and its utility in compressor drive inverter testing.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Amitkumar heads the ‘PHIL Applications and Solutions Division’ at OPAL-RT, a company specializing in real-time and PHIL solutions for complex power systems. 

Amitkumar received his PhD from Concordia University in 2020, on PHIL based emulation of electrical machines. He has close to 10 years of experience in PHIL systems of various applicative domains, ranging from microgrid systems to motor drive systems.

Abstract: To meet the demands of a modern society, the electric grid is rapidly integrating renewable energy and leveraging smart, connected technologies. This convergence creates a new class of stability and security challenges. We will investigate how the temporal variability of renewable sources interacts with the increasing coordination potential of ubiquitous, high-wattage IoT loads, elevating the grid’s overall vulnerability to emerging cyber-physical threats. The presentation will outline the critical challenges this evolution poses and detail our advanced methodologies for mitigating these risks, ensuring a secure and resilient future for power systems.

This is a hybrid in-person and online event. Pre-registration is required for either.

The holy grail of medical diagnostics is a test that is accurate, sensitive, non-invasive, and inexpensive. For solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer and for many neurological diseases, current diagnostics come too little, too late.

An exciting direction of research in this field relates to exosomes, tiny biological nanoparticles around 100 nm in size. There are trillions of them in our body, carrying a massive amount of valuable information about the health—or disorder—of our organs. They are, however, so small that they had eluded detection until quite recently.

In this talk, Dr. Giacomo Vacca will discuss the challenges, and the promise, of exosomes in biomedical diagnostics. He will show how their abundance is a fantastic opportunity to use them as biomarkers—if you can detect them. As the attention of both technologists and researchers has focused on them, new tools have emerged, enabling new scientific findings—and the tantalizing possibility of much more powerful biomedical diagnostics.

We Worked on Projects.

with John C. Havens, Global Lead, IEEE Planet Positive; Founding E.D., IEEE AI Ethics Initiative and Dr. Maike Luiken, Chair, IEEE Planet Positive 2030

Date/Time: Tuesday, December 9, 2025; 9am - 10 am Pacific Time

Abstract:

For the December 2025 talk, IEEE SusTech Talks online will join the members and supporters of IEEE Planet Positive 2030 for their “End of Year Town Hall Celebration” to share updates from 2025 along with plans for 2026. The growth and evolution of IEEE Planet Positive 2030 Communities efforts beginning in Miami has been a major focus in 2025, and plans are being made to host events and other potential Communities in China, India, Europe and Latin America in 2026. Reports on specific initiatives will include:

• an Education Committee and an Executive Advisory Committee designed to drive the work forward strategically, pragmatically, and at scale.
• Communities ‘toolkits’ that expand on and share the insights in PP2030’s compendium Strong Sustainability by Design
• Accountable Sustainability by Design and data frameworks, utilizing the expertise of the PP2030 metrics experts.
• engaging with like-minded organizations to create Communities.
• identifying new ways to a regenerative and sustainable future.

For more information, see the IEEE Planet Positive 2030 web page.

Electrical Engineering Design Errors That Caused Construction Problems and Deaths While Engineers like to think that their designs are not only technically correct but perfect, the truth is that errors are often made because the engineers either don’t understand construction practices or just haven’t thought through the design. James will cover many examples of actual design errors that resulted in danger to maintenance personnel and the public. Some errors merely resulted in poorly functioning roadway illumination systems; others simply created unnecessary construction difficulties. Engineers have an obligation to assure that their designs are reasonable and safe.

IEEE SSCS Oregon Chapter Executive Committee Meeting (Dec 2025):