2026 Awards
Our 2026 honorees include faculty, staff, community members, and supporters who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in their areas of expertise.
CEC Innovation Summit
Formerly known as the Alumni and Friends Conference, the CEC Innovation Summit welcomes students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, community members, and industry partners for networking, connection, learning, and inspiration.
2026 Event Schedule
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
CEC Senior Design Expo (5-7 p.m.)
Millett Hall
Millet Hall is located at 500 E. Sycamore St., Oxford, OH 45056.
Park in the west lot at Millett and enter through the west doors.
Uptown Social (7:30-9:30 p.m.)
College@Elm
The College@Elm is located at 20 S. Elm St. Oxford, OH 45056.
There is parking available in the lot to the south of the building.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
CEC Innovation Summit (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Marcum Conference Center
Order of the Engineer and Pledge of the Computing Professional Ceremonies (3 to 4 p.m.)
Benton 102 Auditorium
Alumni Reception (4-5 p.m.)
Marcum Conference Center
Breakfast
Sponsored by the Miami University Alumni Association (MUAA)
Marcum Room 154/158
CEC and Alumni Association Welcome
Marcum Room 180/186
Presented by Terry Smith, Kim Tavares (MUAA Director, Alumni Communities), and Beena Sukumaran, Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean, Miami University College of Engineering and Computing
CEC Award Presentations
Marcum Room 180/186
Break - Transition Time
Choose from one of the following sessions:
Conceivable Life Sciences: The First AI-Powered Automated IVF Lab
Marcum Room 108/110
Presented by Alan Murray
A Cybersecurity Professional's Perspective on Microsoft Copilot
Marcum Room 180/186
Presented by Mike Schuetter, CISO, Encore Technologies
While considering all the capabilities that AI promises, there are certainly plenty of security and privacy implications. In this talk, Mike Schuetter will share his journey with Microsoft Copilot while highlighting the issues found along the way. Security teams will also benefit from the technology, and so the session will end with several use cases thatEncore Technologies is pursuing.
TCS EnerDynamix AI: Software platform based Energy Internet model that that visualizes the energy ecosystem much like the information internet
Marcum Room 112
Presented by Vinod Choudhary, Tata Consultancy Services
Learn about the energy-internet-centric model of TCS EnerDynamix AI, in which:
- Energy becomes an asset class that can be freely exchanged across administrative boundaries, while respecting physical grid constraints
- Asset value is shaped by the behaviors and actions of ecosystem participants
Discover the patented, energy internet-centric approach which enables stakeholders to maximize outcomes amid uncertainty, unlocking new possibilities for energy management. Pilot results show that adopting the energy-internet model can:
- Optimize capex by 30–40%
- Reduce energy bills by 15–20%
- Enable flexible business models (energy marketplaces, peer-to-peer trading, community sharing)
- Shorten ROI timelines by 40–50%
Break - Transition Time
Choose from one of the following sessions:
Neurodiversity at Work
Marcum Room 108/110
Presented by Melissa O'Brien and Cynthia Crews
This session by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is focused on helping supervisors, industry professionals, and faculty build more inclusive workplaces and classrooms to effectively support and expand a neurodiverse workforce.
Advanced Control Methods of DC/DC Converters
Marcum 180/186
Presented by Mark Scott and Asha Fatama Tuz Zahura
From VMware to Proxmox: Building a Modern Virtualization Platform for Computer Science and for Home Labs
Marcum Room 112
Presented by Dr. Scott Campbell
This talk shares the experience of implementing a transition from VMware to Proxmox for Miami's Computer Science Department, with a focus on infrastructure design, operational considerations, and lessons learned throughout the migration process. It will highlight how Proxmox can provide a flexible, cost-effective, and modern virtualization platform for teaching, experimentation, and administrative needs in an academic environment. The session will also demonstrate why the same capabilities that make Proxmox valuable in higher education make it an excellent choice for building powerful and accessible home lab environments.
Lunch
Marcum Room 154/158
Marcum Room 154/158
Keynote Session
From CEC to NASA: Alumni Journeys in Aerospace and Innovation
Marcum Room 180/186
Presented by Jim Free, Jamie Adams, Jeff Triplett, and Bradley Gartner
A keynote session featuring a dynamic conversation with CEC alumni and professionals who have worked with or alongside NASA, sharing career highlights, challenges, and memorable stories from their experiences in the field.
Break - Transition Time
Choose from one of the following sessions:
Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering Applications at P&G: Exploring Career Opportunities
Marcum Room 108/110
Presented by Kristin Kim, Mary Kelly and Jessica Rosteutscher
This session explores how Chemical and Mechanical Engineering principles are applied in various roles at Procter & Gamble. Attendees will gain insight into the diverse career opportunities available at P&G and learn how their engineering skills can drive innovation and productivity within the company.
Same Mindset, New Problems: Applying Engineering Thinking to Marketing, Data, and Growth
Marcum Room 180/186
Presented by Aaron Fetters
MUCAT - Center for Assistive Technology Overview
Marcum 112
Presented by James Chagdes
This session will provide an overview of the center, highlighting current research initiatives and student projects. Attendees will also hear directly from graduate students and/or competition teams as they share their work and experiences.
Break - Transition Time
Student, Alumni, and Industry Networking
Marcum Room 154/158
All attendees are encouraged to participate in a relaxed, informal session where students can connect with alumni and industry professionals, build relationships, and engage in meaningful conversations about careers and experiences.
Order of the Engineer and Pledge of the Computing Professional Ceremony
Ceremony will be held in Benton Hall 102 at 3 p.m. followed by a reception in in the Benton 102 lobby.
Reception
Marcum Room 108/110
Below, learn more about the speakers and presenters who will be sharing their insights at the 2026 CEC Innovation Summit.
Jamie Adams is Chief Technology Officer Exoterra, a Voyager Technologies, LLC company. Jamie was presented with the opportunity to join Exoterra as the CTO in October 2023, a position that allowed him to spend more time near his family in Denver with 2 children in high school. Jamie was charged with getting the business strategically aligned and providing timely issue resolution in support of the company’s requirements to scale Solar Electric Propulsion engines designed for small to medium class sized satellites. He has been successful in steering custom technology solutions for more than 8 defense and commercial companies both domestic and international delivering over 50 units to date and currently reaching a pace of 20 flight strings per month. He additionally oversees the IRAD development of a larger scale propulsion system to expand the company portfolio, as well as a commercial spacecraft offering anticipated to roll out in 2027. Jamie currently holds this position.
Jamie joined Sidus Space, in Florida, as their CTO/BoD Member in September 2021. Sidus is a commercial startup with ambitions of building a multi-mission, multi-purpose micro-satellite constellation. In two short years he took the team from concept to full scale production of a 100kg satellite, which employs AI at the edge serving a virtually unlimited number of solutions combining cross spectrum imagery, with location data with high levels of precision. Jamie was also critical to leading the company as they became publicly traded. Prior to his departure in October 2023, Sidus had 3 satellites in production with the first one undergoing final integration on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rideshare. Subsequently, all three were launched and commissioned shortly after his departure.
Jamie led Lockheed Martin’s Autonomous Systems group from June 2015 to September 2021, after a distinguished career NASA and Boeing. In Lockheed Martin’s (LM) Autonomous Systems group he focused on strategic Research and Development and supported LM Business Areas and MFC Lines of Business programs developing autonomous systems technology in multiple domains (air, land, sea, and space) with cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Autonomy solutions.
Jamie’s final assignment at NASA was serving as the Associate Division Chief of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Software, Robotics, and Simulation, Engineering Division. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing technical execution of many contracts supporting various human space flight programs. He was also responsible for NASA’s Human Robotic Interface Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, as well as several initiatives with NASA Headquarters and the DoD to standardize acquisition and execution of software and simulation production and application to government contracts. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Orion, Avionics and Software group overseeing all aspects of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company contract activities for this group. He initially accepted an appointment to NASA in 2007 as the Chief of the Constellation Program Software and Simulation group, after a distinguished 21 year career with The Boeing Company.
Jamie joined Boeing in 1986 working initially as a system integration and test engineer on the Minuteman and Peacekeeper research and development programs at Vandenberg AFB, CA, eventually working his way into the position of Test Conductor. He then joined the International Space Station program as an integration and test manager in Houston, TX, ultimately becoming the overall program Hardware/Software Integration Manager for all flight systems hardware and software design, development, integration, verification and validation. Jamie then accepted the position of Director, Modeling, Simulation, and Integration on the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program in 2002.
Jamie is a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics. He is published on the use and application of distributed simulation for verification and validation of complex hardware/software systems.
While Jamie is a native of Franklin, Ohio, his wife Tracie is from Alvin, Texas. They have two children Presley, 19 born in Southern California, and Jake, 18, born in Houston, Texas. Jamie enjoys traveling with family, exploring the various mountain towns of Colorado, and any opportunity to spend time outdoors.
Jamie Adams will be co-presenting our Keynote Session "From CEC to NASA: Alumni Journeys in Aerospace and Innovation" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Dr. Scott Campbell is Senior Director of Technology for the College of Engineering and Computing at Miami University and an Instructor in Computer Science. He leads the division’s IT operations and supports the strategic use of technology in teaching, learning, and research. His expertise includes cybersecurity, virtualization, cloud computing, networking, and network programming. Prior to joining Miami University, he worked at NCR and LexisNexis in advanced development and technology futures divisions. Dr. Campbell holds degrees from Ohio Northern University, Case Western Reserve University, and Wright State University.
Scott Campbell will be presenting "From VMware to Proxmox: Building a Modern Virtualization Platform for Computer Science and for Home Labs" in Marcum 112 from 11:10 a.m. to noon.
Dr. James (Jim) Chagdes joined Miami University in 2015 after completing a postdoctoral research appointment spanning from 2013 to 2015 jointly between the Department of Health and Kinesiology and the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. He received a B.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
His research interests are in the areas of nonlinear dynamical systems, biomechanics, and controls which he plans to use to examine the interaction of the neural, muscular, and mechanical systems to develop safe, balanced, and skillful movement. Dr. Chagdes’ research incorporates the use of simple everyday devices such as cell phones and clothing (shoe insoles, pants, shirts) with embedded sensors to provide valuable information for health monitoring. His long-term goal is to develop smart assistive, diagnostic, and rehabilitative robotic devices capable of improving the quality of life of people, reducing their risk of fall, helping them prevent injuries, and maintaining independence.
One of Dr. Chagdes’ current projects aims to understand the control of upright human balance and how the stability of upright balance is lost through the process of aging or the onset of neurological impairment. As part of this research, his team is working to develop new methods capable of detecting early signs of manifestations of impaired balance and identify the mechanism responsible. In these methods, he manipulates the environment using technologies such as balance boards and virtual reality to examine changes in balance control.
Dr. Chagdes is in an active collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Human Performance directorate for developing biomechanical models to better understand human motor control. Through this research, Dr. Chagdes aims to better understand the complex interactions of human-machine interfaces by investigating the nonlinear interactions that occur in bio-robotic systems.
Dr. Chagdes has developed collaborations across Miami’s campus including researchers from the Department of Kinesiology and Health, Scripps Gerontology Center, the Department of Computer and Software Engineering, and the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies. As co-director of the Miami University Center for Assistive Technology, he plans to use this understanding to develop smart assistive, diagnostic, and rehabilitative devices to increase functional independence for people with physical disabilities and neurological impairments.
Jim Chagdes will be presenting "MUCAT - Center for Assistive Technology Overview" in Marcum Room 112 from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Vinod Choudhary of Tata Consultancy was born and bought up in India, graduating with a degree in Materials Science Engineering from IIT Varanasi India. He has 25 years of software industry experience driving service delivery and technology transformation for Fortune 500 customers. Vinod loves to play tennis and explore concepts in physics.
Vinod Choudhary will be presenting "TCS EnerDynamix AI" in Marcum Room 112 from 10:10 to 11 a.m.
Cynthia Crews is the Business Relations Specialist for Southwest Ohio with the Division of Employer and Innovation Services at OOD. In this role, Cynthia supports Ohio’s businesses in their efforts to hire and retain individuals with disabilities. Cynthia joined OOD in January 2014 and holds a master’s degree in public administration, a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education-comprehensive social studies.
Cynthia Crews will be co-presenting "Neurodiversity at Work" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 11:10 a.m. to noon.
Aaron Fetters '98 (Manufacturing Engineering) is the CEO of Transparent Partners, a marketing and growth consultancy helping the world’s leading brands transform marketing for an AI-driven world. Aaron is a senior executive who has spent a 25+ year career delivering value for the world’s largest brands. Early in his career he was on the front line of the “digital revolution” at Procter & Gamble helping guide many of their brands into the digital advertising and eCommerce era. He then spent several years at the Kellogg Company serving as director of the Insights and Analytics Solutions Center overseeing a broad marketing insights organization tasked with building leading-edge approaches in areas such as advanced digital marketing analytics as well as data management and programmatic strategies. More recently Fetters held the role of Executive Vice President Advertisers and Agencies at comScore where he progressed from leading a $6M CPG business to ultimately overseeing and growing $100M+ of total advertiser and agency revenue. Aaron later became a founding member of two venture backed advertising technology companies.
Fetters' positions have enabled him to play an expanding leadership role within the digital and marketing research and analytics industry at large, through key roles and speaking engagements with the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF), I-COM, iMedia, Association of National Advertisers (ANA), Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM), and other organizations. Fetters formerly served as Co-Chair of the ANA Measurement Committee.
Fetters has received multiple recognitions throughout the Marketing and Research industry for his achievements. He has been awarded the ARF Great Minds Game Changer Leadership award, and was previously named as one of Brand Innovators' "40 Under 40 Midwest" Class of 2014, as well as a iMedia 25 Marketing Leaders and Innovators.
Aaron Fetters will be presenting "Same Mindset, New Problems: Applying Engineering Thinking to Marketing, Data, and Growth" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Jim Free is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Consultant at Lead Off The X. He has a 35-year career in the Aerospace industry both in the United States and internationally. Jim served with NASA for 30 years in roles from discipline engineer through Senior Executive with the culminating role as the NASA Associate Administrator, the highest-ranking career civil servant at NASA, responsible for NASA’s $25B budget, 17,000 personnel, and all programs.
In these roles, he oversaw and managed major human and robotic space flight programs, infrastructure, operations, policy and future planning for critical NASA missions including significant roles/interfaces with International partners including Europe, and Japan. In his time outside of NASA, Jim worked in private industry developing future space system architectures; overseeing spaceflight hardware programs; assessing major human space flight programs; and providing policy inputs on future US and international programs.
Jim has domestic and international management experience with leadership roles that include senior executive management, technical development program/project management, organizational change, financial management, short- and long-term strategic planning, cross industry and government engagement, strategic partnerships and alliances, and internal and external community engagement.
Jim is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Significant Achievement Medal, and numerous other awards.
Jim Free will be co-presenting our Keynote Session "From CEC to NASA: Alumni Journeys in Aerospace and Innovation" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Bradley Gartner is a first-generation college student who received his Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering in May 2025 from Miami University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Miami University. His research focuses on improving precision agriculture through real-time sensing and control methods that can be applied to vertical farming and space crop production. While at Miami, Bradley was the president of the Robotics and Automation Club, where he helped teach students robotics fundamentals through various projects and workshops. Recently accepted into the NASA Pathways Program, Bradley now works at Marshall Space Flight Center, where he is assisting in electrical work for the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems lab.
Bradley Gartner will be co-presenting our Keynote Session "From CEC to NASA: Alumni Journeys in Aerospace and Innovation" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Mary Kelly is a Senior Bounty Initiatives Engineering Manager. Mary has 3 years experience at P&G in Bounty and Engineering, and 14 years of engineering experience in industry.
Mary Kelly will be co-presenting "Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering Applications at P&G: Exploring Career Opportunities" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Kristin Kim is a Family Care R&D Scientist with P&G. Kristen has 5 years of R&D experience working on Bounty Paper Towels.
Kristin Kim will be co-presenting "Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering Applications at P&G: Exploring Career Opportunities" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Alan Murray is an engineer, entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of Conceivable Life Sciences, the biotech company behind AURA, the world’s first AI-powered automated IVF lab. Murray combines strategic leadership with deep technical expertise, driving the company’s reinvention of the IVF laboratory. As both CEO and architect of AURA, he has overseen the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced optics, and machine learning into a seamless platform designed to improve IVF outcomes while making the Nobel Prize–winning therapy more accessible and affordable. To date, Conceivable has raised $70M and will launch U.S. operations in 2026.
Before Conceivable, Murray co-founded and led TMRW Life Sciences, where he pioneered automated solutions for fertility storage and specimen management. His work there laid the groundwork for understanding how robotics and AI could transform the entire fertility ecosystem. Murray's engineering philosophy centers on solving complex biological challenges through elegant technological solutions.
Over two decades, Alan and longtime partner Joshua Abram have co-founded and scaled multiple category-defining ventures in technology, hospitality, and life sciences,, including Integral Ad Science (NASDAQ: IAS), Dstillery, and NeueHouse.
Alan Murray will present "Conceivable Life Sciences: The First AI-Powered Automated IVF Lab" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 10:10 to 11 a.m.
Melissa (Missy) O’Brien is the Career Development Specialist for Southwest Ohio with the Division of Employer and Innovation Services at OOD. In this role, she supports Ohio’s businesses in their efforts to hire college students with disabilities for internship opportunities. Missy joined OOD in February 2024 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.
Missy O’Brien will be co-presenting "Neurodiversity at Work" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 11:10 a.m. to noon.
Jessica Rosteutscher '25 is a Miami University Chemical Engineering graduate who is now working in industry as a Family Care R&D Scientist with P&G. Jessica has 1 year of R&D experience working on Charmin Toilet Paper at P&G.
Jessica Rosteutscher will be co-presenting "Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering Applications at P&G: Exploring Career Opportunities" in Marcum Room 108/110 from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Mike Schuetter is the Chief Information Security Officer at Encore Technologies. Prior to Encore, Mike Schuetter built and managed several technical and organizational security assessment practices. Additionally, Mike Schuetter designed, built, and recruited staff for several security operations centers for a fortune 500 company and large defense contractor. Currently serving on the Miami Cybersecurity Advisory Board, Mike is active in the community and enjoys working with colleges and their students in an effort to help drive awareness and talent to meet the growing demand in the workforce.
Mike Schuetter will be presenting "A Cybersecurity Professional's Perspective on Microsoft Copilot" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 10:10 to 11 a.m.
Mark J. Scott received his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and Ph.D. in Power Electronics from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
His work experience includes developing customized solutions for material handling applications and performing onsite installation of automated systems. He also conducted validation testing of power electronics designed for transit buses and emergency vehicles.
Dr. Scott's research improves reliability and power density in power conversion hardware. His team applies silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power devices in isolated DC/DC converters, single phase inverters, and three phase inverters targeting applications in electric vehicles, more electric aircraft, and solar power systems.
His team also investigates conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by GaN and SiC based hardware. This research has resulted in diagnostic tools based on conducted EMI. Dr. Scott has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers. He is an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Mark Scott will be co-presenting "Advanced Control Methods of DC/DC Converters" in Marcum 180/186 from 11:10 a.m. to noon.
Jeff Triplett is a Senior Lab Manager and Lead HPC Systems Administrator at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where Jeff leads the Flight Sciences Lab. The Flight Sciences Lab or FSL is a high‑performance computing environment housed in the Aeroscience & Flight Mechanics Division. The FSL enables the aerodynamic, aerothermal, and guidance and navigation modeling for all human spaceflight missions at NASA.
Before joining NASA, Jeff spent more than a decade advancing research computing across the Midwest, including serving as the HPC Operations Manager at the Ohio Supercomputer Center and leading major infrastructure, automation, and research technology initiatives at Miami University.
Jeff’s career has spanned academic research, large‑scale infrastructure design, IT leadership, and high‑performance computing strategy. Jeff has supported projects ranging from language revitalization efforts with the Myaamia Center to the design and deployment of scientific data collection instruments at the HAARP research facility in Alaska. Jeff’s work has appeared in scientific publications and at the Supercomputing Conference.
A proud Miami University alumnus with a B.S. in Computer Engineering 06’
Today, Jeff brings a blend of NASA mission focus, research computing expertise, and the perspective of an alumnus whose career began on the same campus as the students and graduates attending this event.
Jeff Triplett will be co-presenting our Keynote Session "From CEC to NASA: Alumni Journeys in Aerospace and Innovation" in Marcum Room 180/186 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Fatama (Asha) Tuz Zahura is a graduate student in the Miami University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She will graduate this May with a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. In Fall 2025, Asha presented her work on LLC Converter Control at the IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Expo (ECCE) in Philadelphia, PA, for which she was awarded a travel grant from the IEEE Women in Engineering committee.
Asha Fatama Tuz Zahura will be co-presenting "Advanced Control Methods of DC/DC Converters" in Marcum 180/186 from 11:10 a.m. to noon.
Evaluation
Before you go, we would appreciate if you would take a few moments to fill out the Conference evaluation form. Thank you!
