WATT’S   NEW

 

NEWSLETTER   OF   THE   BALTIMORE   SECTION   OF   THE   IEEE

 

AUGUST   2007

 

 


The web site for the Baltimore section of the IEEE is:

 

http://www.ieee.org/baltimore

 

 


IN THIS ISSUE:

 

1.     Note from the Editor

2.     Nominations for 2008 Officers of the Baltimore Section of the IEEE

3.     Calling IISc Alumni

4.     Engineering TV

 

 


1.             Note from the Editor

 

The election of new officers for the IEEE Baltimore Section will be taking place soon. This newsletter contains the biographies of the candidates.

 

 


2.             Nominations for 2008 Officers of the Baltimore Section of the IEEE

 

Chair:           William J. Semancik

Vice Chair:   David Kisak

Treasurer:     Helen Garrison

 

Candidates for Secretary (order of appearance does not indicate preference):

                     Antoanna (Anna) Sabeva Romaniuk

                     Gary Tartanian

 

Biosketches and statements are included below.

 

Nominations may also be made by petition of not less than 25 voting Section members, received by the Section Secretary by August 22, or exactly 28 days after the announcement is made. Only Fellows, Senior members, and Members of IEEE of the Baltimore Section are eligible to hold office. The elections will be held in October/November 2007.

 

The guidelines for the Section’s elections can be found in Article VIII-Nominations and Elections of the Section's Bylaws, accessible as the first link at the Section's web site.

 

Nominations Committee 2008:

Boris Gramatikov (Chair)

Vil P. Arafiles

Jeff Friedhoffer

Jay Gamerman

Alan Pressman

 

 

Chair:   Bill Semancik

 

Bill Semancik has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering. He has worked for the Department of Defense for 32 years in a broad range of technology fields including digital signal processing, microelectronics, electronics packaging, network security, telecommunications and networks. Most recently he has been dealing with issues of globalization and its effects on national capabilities. He has participated in National Academy of Sciences studies on cyber infrastructure protection and the state of R&D in the US telecommunication industry. He has served in an advisory capacity for several local universities. He has served as an officer for Baltimore section since 2005. He is current Vice-Chair, having previously served as Secretary and Treasurer. He is a member of Communications Society and Electron Device Society. Current activities in IEEE include the Section’s Robot Challenge for high school students and he is organizing the Teacher In-Service Program training session for Region 2.

 

Position Statement:

 

In recent years I have been convinced of the need to re-emphasize the importance of technical education. It is important for the future of the profession and for the future of the country. One of the most important things we can do as an engineering society is to foster an interest in engineering and the sciences at all levels education.

 

 

Vice-Chair:   David C. Kisak

 

I am seeking election as Vice-Chair for the Baltimore Section of the IEEE.  I have been a member of the IEEE for 33 years and am a member of both the Communications Society and the Signal Processing Society.  I am currently the Secretary of the Baltimore Section.  My education background is a B.S.E.E 1977, The University of Akron and M.S. 1982, Johns Hopkins University.  Professionally, I am a Sr. Scientist for Science Application International Corporation, Inc. (SAIC).  In this position I am the technical lead for two disparate research and development teams providing support to the Department of Defense (DoD), both of which operate out of a research and development lab that I manage on behalf of my DoD sponsor.  The research teams are separately tasked with developing novel solutions to problems in emitter location, satellite communication systems, and terrestrial communication networks.

 

Further, in prior work, I was instrumental in establishing an Independent Research and Development program for the Professional Services Group of Atlantic Research Corporation.  Prior to that, while employed by the DoD, I was a co-partner in establishing and running a laboratory for performing original research in spread spectrum communications.  During this latter timeframe I was occasionally invited by the Spread Spectrum Editor for the IEEE Communications Journal to provide support as a referee for papers submitted for publication.

 

Position Statement:

 

The IEEE is an important organization for the development and growth of currently-performing professional engineers and scientists; it is also a role-model for encouraging students to consider careers in engineering and science.  It is important that the IEEE remain committed to its educational obligation in order to increase the number of professionals available to solve evolving technical problems with efficiency and accuracy.

 

 

Treasurer:   Helen Garrison

 

I have been a member of IEEE for many years with current membership in the Power Engineering Society and Women in Engineering. I am currently Treasurer of the Baltimore Section of IEEE.

 

I graduated with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University in 1975. In 2006, I completed the online University of Phoenix MBA program.

 

Currently the Building Permit Committee for the Maryland Aviation Administration keeps me busy. My employer, DMJM-Harris has one full time engineering position at Maryland Aviation Administration and I occupy that position. Maryland Aviation Administration is a state agency that owns and operates Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport.

 

My experience includes Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering in a variety of settings including oil refineries, oil production facilities, water and wastewater plants, and nuclear defense waste processing facilities. Experience as an Electrical Engineer includes airports, airport traffic control towers, and TRACONs. I spent two years as a electrical maintenance technician in the oil field on the North Slope of Alaska. From engineering of grass root facilities, to revamp design of existing facilities, to on site construction resident engineer, to maintenance engineer in operating facilities, my experience in engineering is diverse and extensive.

 

Position Statement:

 

The position of treasurer for the Baltimore Section requires someone to diligently follow the IEEE record keeping and audit procedures. As a continuing treasurer, I am familiar with the record keeping and audit procedures. You can trust that as treasurer, I will keep the funds safely and disburses them for only approved expenditures, keep the records and follow audit procedures.

 

 

Secretary Candidate 1:   Antoanna (Anna) Sabeva Romaniuk

 

IEEE member since 1987.

                                               

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the IEEE Baltimore Society. I’ve been a member of IEEE Society since 1987 and I’m a Senior Member since 2007. I’m also a member of Communications, WIE, DSP, Computer and Communication Societies, and ISOC.

 

I’m an energetic and resourceful engineer with 20+ years experience creating solutions for the defense, avionics and telecommunications industries with ability to research and solve challenging problems, comfortable working in teams or alone with extensive Project Leader/Principal Software Engineering experience with start-ups/small/large companies in software design and development for various platforms and programming environments.

 

My education background is Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, and I have both a B. S. and an M.S, and I also have a M.S. in Technical/Organizational Management from Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.

 

During my career I have held a number of engineering and leadership positions, and my most recent is Engineering Manager at Harris RF Communications Division at Columbia. Maryland.

 

During my career I have worked as an Engineering Manager at DRT Inc and managed a project team of embedded software engineers in the development of wireless processing products and systems; a Principal Technical Team Lead for JTRS for DoD JEM radio project at Thales Communications; a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff supporting Integrated Software for Siemens; a Software Manager at CopperCom Inc; a Consultant Team Lead for Logica North America Inc.; a Senior Avionics Engineer at Allied Signal Aerospace/Bendix.

 

Position Statement:

 

I would like to volunteer at IEEE Society and help to increase value as defined by the existing IEEE members and help to attract new members. I have been treasurer for the QA board at Siemens and Thales Communications. As a secretary for different organizations since 1984 I had the opportunity to gain both personal and professional experience and I feel that this experience provides an excellent foundation for the IEEE volunteer position. I would like to help to build interaction between industry and academia by involving in activities that include arranging for career-oriented speakers at section meetings, holding student and member professional awareness conferences, host of special activities, advertise engineering profession at high schools in Maryland area, an specially promote and educate high schools girls about engineering opportunities. My goal is to serve you and the organization to the best of my ability. I look forward to working with everyone.

 

Combining the years on the different boards with my experience I believe that I have the skills to work with IEEE and the Executive Office to move our Society forward.

 

 

Secretary Candidate 2:   Gary Tartanian

 

Mr. Tartanian earned a BSEE from University of Maryland, College Park, and an MSEE from Johns Hopkins University.  His 24 year career with the Department of Defense has spanned a wide range of disciplines:  embedded systems design; signals collection, processing, and analysis; network security; vulnerability assessment; management of 24/7 watch operations; and most recently, technical director for telecommunications research. His career achievements include: two overseas postings; Master level technical track certification, completion of a senior-level technical fellowship, and selection to the rank of Defense Intelligence Senior Level. 

 

Gary places a high value on service.  He has mentored other engineers, physicists, computer scientists, and mathematicians throughout his career, and has served as an adjunct faculty instructor at the National Cryptologic School.  He has served as the secretary of the COMSOC Baltimore Chapter since 2003, and has been a Senior IEEE member since 2004.

 

Position Statement:

 

Gary is looking forward to the opportunity to serve a broader range of IEEE members as the secretary of the Baltimore Section.

 

 


3.             Calling IISc Alumni

 

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) celebrates its centenary next year. The Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association of North America (IISc AANA) has been formed to celebrate this event and establish ties with our alma mater. IISc AANA is reaching out to alumni on this continent to join its ranks and access the many benefits that are listed at http://www.iiscaana.org/. Alumni are further encouraged to download a membership form from:

 

http://www.iiscaana.org/images/member_sign_up_form.pdf

 

and follow instructions provided therein to join the organization.

 

IISc AANA is starting a chapter in the North East Atlantic region, which includes, CT, DC, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA and VT. Dr. Nikhil Gupta, Dr. Sasidhar Tadanki, Dr. Madhavi Ganapathiraju, and Dr. Brian Sequeira have volunteered to assist in its formation. Alumni may contact any of the above volunteers by e-mailing neastcoast.chapter@iiscaana.org. We request that you inform other alumni of this initiative.

 

IISc AANA looks forward to your participation in this endeavor.

 

 


4.             Engineering TV

 

We were asked to redistribute this e-mail to fellow members. It's about a new engineering-based TV show that is being produced for the Discovery Channel. The idea is to feature new inventions and innovative ways to improve safety in our everyday lives.

 

Engineers selected to demonstrate their invention would be asked to serve as a consultant for that particular show.

 

Anyone interested can contact the gentleman listed below.

 

 

From:

Jez Bradshaw               

jez.bradshaw@darlowsmithson.com

 

“Here is a brief summary of the series and what we are looking for help with.

 

We are a UK based documentary production company and are producing a 13 x 1hr shows for the Discovery Channel US, tentatively titled 'Crash Test Inventors'.

 

The series is all about taking existing and new technologies and using them to engineer solutions to issues of safety in a variety of situations and events. During the show we will take a concept such as an airbag, investigate the possibilities, design a re-application for another use and perform a large scale test of the invention. This could involve attaching a large airbag to a helicopter to keep it afloat in the event of a crash into water. The items will range right down to smaller scale tests such as far as how to make hard hats stronger using advanced materials and cover both man made and natural hazards.

 

The idea is to demonstrate innovative solutions to dangers that pose a risk to people in their everyday lives. We won't be looking for a final polished product but to demonstrate the reapplication, engineering, construction of the invention and an interesting and visual way to test it. This could mean anything from dropping a helicopter into a canyon to smashing our hard hat with rocks.

 

As these shows hinge upon clever engineering we are hoping that engineers and scientists might be willing to share their ideas and inspirations with us as potential storey ideas. We are covering a huge spectrum within the remit so however big or small scale or 'out there' the ideas might seem, we would be hugely grateful for any submissions. The tests will be carried out at the series base wherever possible and expert test facilities across the States.

 

We would ultimately be looking for a consultant to come on for each storey to provide expertise in that particular field and assist our hosts with the construction and testing. This might therefore provide the opportunity for an engineer to join our team in building and testing the invention and offer expertise in their particular field.

 

All responses can come to this email address, alternatively please feel free to contact me using the details below.

 

Kind regards,

Jez”

 

Jez Bradshaw

'Crash Test Inventors'

Darlow Smithson Productions

Highgate Studios

53-79 Highgate Road

London

NW5 1TL

T: 020 7482 7027

F: 020 7482 7039