IEEE Annual Election: Region 2 Candidates (Eastern USA)

Parviz Famouri

PARVIZ FAMOURI
(Nominated by IEEE Region 2)

Director, Electromechanical Systems Laboratory
Associate Chair for Research & Graduate Studies
Lane Department of Computer Science & Electrical
  Engineering
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
www.famouri.com

Parviz Famouri received the B.S. degree, Applied Mathematics, Kentucky State University, 1981, and the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D., all in Electrical Engineering in 1982, 1986, and 1990, respectively. He joined WVU in 1990 where he founded and is now professor and Director of Electromechanical Systems Laboratory (EMS) where many innovative ideas were created and products have been patented and developed. His primary interests and expertise are in electric machines, power electronics and nanotechnology. He worked for Emerson Motor Company (St. Louis) as an Engineering Scientist in 1994. He and his students are the authors of over 100 technical research papers. Famouri’s research has been supported by NSF, DARPA, Army Research Office, Department of Energy (DoE), NASA and electric utilities. He was elected as WVU Faculty Senate Chair in 2006-2007 where he led more than 2500 faculty members. He is a member and was the President of Morgantown North Rotary Club. 

IEEE Accomplishments –

• As the Regional Activities Board Vice Chair for Section/Chapter Support, I led the effort for IEEE Councils to be allowed to establish technical chapters similar to Technical Societies.
• As the Regional Activities Board Vice Chair for Section/Chapter Support, I coordinated the efforts of many committees to organize a successful 2006 Section Congress in Tampa, FL.
• As the Regional Activities Board Vice Chair for Section/Chapter Support, I co-led (with Ralph Wyndrum) the development of the revised Distinguished Lecturer Program.
• As the Chair of the Pittsburgh Section, I revitalized the Section by increasing attendance at both Executive Committee and technical meetings.
• As the Region 2 Student Activities Chair (SAC), for the first time in Region 2 history, I established and organized the Region 2 Hardware Contest that is currently going strong after 12 years.
• As the Region 2 IEEE-USA Professional Activities Committees for Engineers (PACE) Coordinator, I organized PACE training workshops for the Region 2 Section PACE leaders
• As the Nanotechnology Council Chapter coordinator I led a world-wide effort to establish its first ten technical chapters.

 

Statement – In 2004, former President Arthur Winston asked the Institute to examine IEEE memberships, industry and corporate relationships.

After a weekend of brainstorming with 52 participants from industry, academia, and government, it became clear to me that members must be at the center of the Institute, and IEEE must be a Member Centered organization.

I also realized that for our members to succeed and thrive, industry has to be involved. IEEE has many educational and electronic tools that can assist our members, engineers, and industry. I will make Region 2 a model of an Industry Involved region.

The future of IEEE is in our young engineers, engineering students, and children. Our assets are our Members, Senior Members, Life Members and Fellows. I will link the experience of Members with youth to bring back the engineering enthusiasm to our profession. I will steer the organization to be Forward Looking and always look into the future as well as remembering our past.

“Leadership is creating an environment in which those you lead succeed.”

 

IEEE Activities – (M’90-SM’98) COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Regional Activities Board (RAB): Vice Chair, 2004-05; RAB/TAB Section Chapter Support Committee, Past Chair, 2007; RAB Membership Development Committee, Member, 2005; RAB/TAB Section/Chapter Support Committee: Past Chair, 2007; Chair, 2004-05; RAB Operating Committee, Member, 2004-05; RAB Industry Relation Committee, Member, 2004; RAB GOLD Committee, Member, 2004-05; RAB Finance Committee, Member, 2004-05; RAB Student Activities Committee, Member, 1999-2000. IEEE Committee on Earth Observation, IEEE Nanotechnology Council (NTC), Corresponding Member, 2010. REGION: Region 2: Region 2 MGA Coordinator, 2009-10; Sections Congress Coordinator, 2007; Secretary, 2005; Professional Activities, 2001-04; IEEE-USA Professional Activities Committees for Engineers (PACE), Region 2 Coordinator, 2002-04; Student Activities, 1998-2000. SECTION: Pittsburgh Section: Student Activities, 1999-2000; Section Chair, 1997-98; Section Vice Chair, 1996-97; Section Secretary, 1995-96; Section Treasurer, 1994-95. SUBSECTION: Upper Monongahela Subsection: Chair, 1993-94; Vice Chair, 1992-93; Treasurer, 1991-92; Professional Activities Committee, Member, 1993-94; Delegate-at-Large, 1990-91. SOCIETY: IEEE Industry Application Society (IAS): IA-Education Department, Asynchronous Education Committee, Member, 2004-10; IEEE-IAS Industrial Drives Committee Member; IEEE-IAS Electric Machines Committee Member; SAC AT&T Labs Student Enterprise Award Judging Committee Member, 1999-2000; IAS Member, 1993-95. COUNCILS: IEEE Nanotechnology Council: Vice President of Technical Activities, 2010; Regional/Interest Groups (including Chapters), 2007-10. IEEE Neural Networks Council, Member, 1993-95. AWARDS: IEEE-USA Board of Directors Regional Professional Leadership Award, 2004. IEEE Pittsburgh Section Dedicated Service Award, 2001. IEEE Pittsburgh Section, Distinguished Service Award, 2001. IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000. IEEE Pittsburgh Section Past Section Chair Award, 2000.
 

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Murty S. Polavarapu

MURTY S. POLAVARAPU
(Nominated by IEEE Region 2)

Senior Principal Engineer
BAE Systems
Manassas, Virginia, USA
www.murtyp.org

Over two decades in industry, Murty Polavarapu has worked on all facets of semiconductor technology with a focus on developing advanced memory and logic products for the Department of Defense. His current interests include phase change memory devices and nanotechnology applications for space systems. He holds Masters degrees in Physics from India, Electrical Engineering from Howard University and Technology Management from University of Pennsylvania.

Polavarapu’s keen interest in pre-college education is underscored by his current service on the Fairfax County School Board’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and his Peace Corps volunteer tenure as a physics teacher in rural Fiji. He also mentors local IEEE student branches and established an annual Ethics Awareness Conference.

In addition to ten patents in semiconductor technology, Polavarapu received the Dominion Semiconductor President's Award and IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award. He is a Fellow of Washington Academy of Sciences and a member of AAAS.

 

IEEE Accomplishments –

• Invigorated IEEE leadership training and promoted member engagement across Region 2 by conducting workshops in Johnstown, PA; Youngstown, OH; Cleveland, OH; and McLean, VA.
• As the IEEE-USA Coordinator for Region 2, improved the dissemination of IEEE-USA programs and services to sections and members.
• Founded the Nanotechnology Council Chapter in the National Capital Area.
• Mentored the George Mason University Student Branch and established its annual Ethics Awareness Conference that has now grown into an area-wide event.
• Introduced the IEEE virtual community for the National Capital Area, the first of its kind at a local level. This community serves as a forum for online discussions, as a repository for Section records and to publicize local events. www.ieeecommunities.org/nca.
• Revived the dormant Electron Devices Society Chapter and introduced premier events such as a series of talks on nanotechnology.
• Increased involvement of the Section in pre-college activities with one additional high school club and support for local FIRST Robotics teams. Also worked with Northern Virginia Technology Council in conducting a Nanotechnology Education Seminar for local teachers.
• Contributed to the improved member communications strategy in the National Capital Area with both electronic and print distribution of newsletters. www.ieee.org/escanner.

 

Statement – I ask for your vote to best serve our members by focusing on these three areas:

• Engage the member
  • Our members will realize the full value of their membership if they are better engaged in the entire spectrum of IEEE activities at all levels. I will work with local sections to develop and disseminate toolkits documenting model technical and professional events that can be replicated across the region. This will result in improved member engagement opportunities while minimizing duplication of effort and learning curve.
• Involve industry
  • I will nurture programs reaching across sections, academia and local industries which focus on practical applications of emerging technologies while offering needed professional development for practicing engineers.

• Spread the word

  • There is a lot of good work done through our Sections and Chapters that if communicated better inside and outside IEEE will improve member experience and IEEE image. I will expand outreach via social networking channels and electronic newsletters while enhancing appropriate print communications to reach members and the public. 

IEEE Activities – (M’97-SM’98) COMMITTEES/BOARD: IEEE-USA: IEEE-USA Employment and Career Services Committee Member, 2009-10; IEEE-USA Career and Workforce Policy Committee Member 2009-10; IEEE-USA Pre-College Education Committee Member, 2003-05; IEEE-USA Research and Development Policy Committee Member, 2002-10. REGION: Region 2: IEEE-USA Coordinator, 2009-10; Executive Committee Member, 2006-10; Employment and Career Services Coordinator, 2009-10; South Area Chair, 2006-08; Pre-College Education Coordinator, 2003-05. SECTION: Northern Virginia Section: Membership Development Committee Chair, 2010; Pre-College Committee Chair, 2008-09; Professional Activities Committees for Engineers (PACE) Chair, 2007; Section Chair, 2005; Chair-Elect and Vice Chair, 2004; Secretary, 2003; Treasurer, 2002. CHAPTERS: Nanotechnology Council Northern Virginia/Washington Chapter Chair, 2009-10. Electron Devices Society Northern Virginia/Washington Chapter: Treasurer, 2009-10; Chair, 2003-05, 1999-2001. Society on Social Implications of Technology, Northern Virginia/Washington/Baltimore Chapter Chair, 2005, 2003. SOCIETY: Electron Devices Society (EDS): Regions/Chapters Sub-Committee Vice Chair, 2006-10; Newsletter Editor - North America-East, 2002-04. CONFERENCES: Aerospace Conference, Session Co-Chair, 2006-07. International Reliability Physics Symposium, Memory Subcommittee Member, 2007. REPRESENTATIVES: IEEE-USA Liaison to Engineers Week Foundation, 2010. Washington Academy of Sciences, Northern Virginia Section Delegate, 2004-10. DC Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies, Northern Virginia Section Delegate, 2002-06. George Mason University Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee, 2005-10. University of District of Columbia, Electrical Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee 2002-05. AWARDS: Distinguished Leadership Award (Washington/Northern Virginia Sections), 2008. James F. Strother Meritorious Service Award, 2010, 2007. IEEE Regional Activities Board Achievement Award, 2005. IEEE Northern Virginia Section Volunteer of the Year, 2004. IEEE Washington/Northern Virginia Sections, Distinguished Service Award, 2004. IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.

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