The IEEE-PELS Member at Large Petitions ends on 7 August 2026. Below are the volunteers petitioning for a position on the election slate this fall. Scroll to learn more about each petitioner. All petitions can be signed by visiting the following link: www.ieee.org/petition
Note: Only PELS higher-grade members may sign the open petitions. No Student, GSM, or Affiliates are eligible to sign.
Meet the Petitioners
Dr. Ezekiel Nnamere Aneke
Dr. Ezekiel Nnamere Aneke
Position Statement: It is a great honor to present my candidacy for the role of Member-at-Large of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) AdCom. With a strong background in power systems engineering, renewable energy research, and IEEE volunteer leadership, I am committed to contributing to the continued growth and impact of PELS worldwide.
Quietly, I am leading a crusade for Diversity and Inclusion for the IEEE PELS. As part of the crusade, I have been working with volunteers to expand the activities and visibility of PELS in Africa. As the pioneer Vice Chair and current Chair of the IEEE PELS Nigeria Section Chapter, I have championed initiatives that expanded the visibility and activities of PELS in Nigeria. I motivated volunteers to form the PELS Student Branch Chapter at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). As part of my efforts, PELS was represented at the just concluded 2025 IEEE R8 Africa Student & Young Professional Congress held in Ghana.
Previously, I served in the PELS Day Global Committee and the PELS Publicity Committee, where I contributed to global outreach, event coordination, and communication strategies that strengthened PELS engagement across regions.
If elected as a Member-at-Large of PELS AdCom, I will focus on strengthening global collaboration, supporting inclusive participation in PELS activities, enhancing research dissemination, and fostering stronger ties between academia, industry, and young professionals. I am dedicated to bringing diverse insights, practical experience, and collaborative energy to advance the mission and objectives of IEEE PELS.
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Dr. Ezekiel Nnamere Aneke is an accomplished electrical power systems engineer and researcher. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE with over a decade of professional and academic contributions to the engineering community. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and his academic and professional journey reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence and innovation in the field of electro-technology.
Professionally, Dr. Aneke currently serves as Electrical Power Systems Rental and Used Operations Supervisor at Mantrac Nigeria Limited, where he oversees rental fleet operations and supports clients with tailored power solutions. In this capacity, he ensures reliable, efficient, and sustainable deployment of power systems to meet diverse industrial needs. He has also built extensive experience in the oil and gas sector as a Caterpillar Service Specialist and Field Service Engineer with Mantrac Nigeria, supporting critical industrial operations through power system maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization. Earlier in his career, he worked with ExxonMobil during his mandatory National Youth Service, gaining expertise in inventory management and systems planning. His broad skillset includes CAT power system maintenance, diagnostic technologies, preventive maintenance strategies, and advanced troubleshooting techniques that have consistently ensured operational efficiency and reliability in demanding industrial environments.
Dr. Aneke’s research has yielded numerous peer-reviewed publications on voltage stability, optimization of transmission networks, renewable energy systems, and advanced control techniques. His works are widely published in international journals, contributing to both theoretical knowledge and practical advancements in electrical engineering and renewable integration.
Beyond his technical expertise, Dr. Aneke is an active leader in professional societies and associations. He is the current Chair, IEEE PELS Nigeria Section Chapter, where he has played a transformative role in advancing the visibility and activities of PELS in Nigeria. He was instrumental in the formation of the PELS Student Branch Chapter at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). He has also served in the PELS Day Global Committee and the PELS Publicity Committee, contributing to international outreach, event coordination, and communication strategies that enhanced the Society’s global presence. He is currently serving as PELS Regional Chair for Africa.
In addition, Dr. Aneke currently serves as Secretary of the IEEE Nigeria Section and has held various positions including IEEE PES Day Country Representative (2023), IEEE.tv Ambassador, IEEE Entrepreneur Week Ambassador (2022), and technical paper reviewer for IEEE conferences and journals.
In the past, he also held leadership capacities within the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE). In recognition of his contributions, he has been conferred as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE); Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers (FNIPE) and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (FNIEEE).
Dr. Aneke’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing the mission of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) by integrating academic research, industrial expertise, and volunteer service. His experience, leadership, and dedication to collaboration position him to bring valuable insights and contributions as a Member-at-Large to PELS AdCom.
Manmath Kumar Badapanda
Manmath Kumar Badapanda
Position Statement: I am an active volunteer of IEEE and its PELS, IES, IAS, PES, SYSC and IRC. I have contributed significantly in enhancing industry-academia interface and IEEE member growth & engagement in India. I have chaired various committees of several IEEE conferences and workshops organized by IEEE Region-10, Sections and Chapters in India and delivered dozens of keynote addresses.
If elected as PELS MAL, I will focus on the following areas:
- Expanding Membership and Member Engagement: I will continue to focus on PELS membership growth and retention, chapter and student branch chapter development, involve students and women and their effective engagement in India.
- Member Grade Elevation: I will focus on member grade elevation to Senior Members and Fellows in Region-10 as South and Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator of PELS Advance Membership Acceleration Program and Senior Membership Advisory Committee.
- Enhance Industry Academia Interface: I will continue to focus on enhancing industry involvement in PELS activities and foster industry academia interface as well as innovation in global level.
- Deliver PELS DL and Promote Power Electronics Worldwide: I will cover maximum possible PELS chapters, joint chapters and student branch chapters to deliver PELS DL worldwide and promote and expand the use of power electronics for development of technically challenging highly reliable DC power supplies.
- Office Bearers Training Program: I will work on expanding PELS office bearers training program for PELS OUs to enhance their awareness, funding opportunities and support from PELS for efficient and sustainable PELS operations worldwide.
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Prof. Manmath Kumar Badapanda, FNAE, FIE(I), SMIEE has received his B. Tech (Electrical Engineering) from VSSUT, Burla, Odisha in 1988; M. Tech (Electrical Engineering) from IIT, BHU, Varanasi, UP in 1990 and MBA (Marketing Management and International Trade) from IIMS, Kolkata, W.B in 1999, all from India. He is a Fellow, INAE, having 33 years of R&D experiences in the field of power electronics at RRCAT, Indore, India and working as Adjunct Professor, IIT, Dhanbad, India. He has original and innovative contributions to the advancement and development of solid-state modular DC power supply technologies, having granted US patent No.10027122B2 and Indian patent No.436206, as their single inventor and has unique credibility that more than 500 numbers of his high-performance power supplies, are in 24/7- and 365-days operations with various Indian national facilities. He has developed several new technologies with impressive techno-economic-social impacts, transferred them to multiple industries and adopted for various applications.
He was Chair, Standing Committee on Industry Relations of IEEE Bombay Section during 2019-2021. Presently, he is Chair, IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) Chapter & Member, PELS India Membership Development Committee; Chair, IEEE Industrial Electronics Society Chapter; Chair, Industry Relations Committee and Vice-Chair, IEEE Madhya Pradesh Section, India during 2022-2026 as well as Chair, IEEE Systems Councils and Chair, IEEE Industry Applications Society chapter of IEEE Madhya Pradesh Section during 2024-2026. He is also Regional Coordinator, South and Southeast Asia, PELS Advance Membership Acceleration Program in 2026. He has arranged more than 100 IEEE events, published 150 peer-reviewed papers, delivered 55 invited talks worldwide and recognized as IEEE PELS Distinguished Lecturer during 2026-2027. He is a member of several crucial committee of various Indian government organizations and commissions. He has received dozens of prestigious awards including “Best Paper Award” in ECCE Asia-2025 and “Best PELS Medium Chapter Award-2025” from IEEE PELS, “Technologist of the Year-2023” from IEEE India Council; “Research Excellence Award-2023” from The Institution of Engineers (India); “Outstanding Section Award-2023” from IEEE Region-10 and four times “Department of Atomic Energy Excellence Awards” from Government of India in the year 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017 and so on.
Ali Bazzi
Ali Bazzi
Position Statement: I have been a PELS member for almost 20 years, where I have dedicated much of my volunteering time to serve the PELS and broader IEEE and electrical engineering communities in various capacities. PELS has provided me with opportunities to support and grow my power electronics knowledge, expertise, and network, in addition to opportunities to present my team’s research accomplishments and think of future topics and challenges.
Being a member-at-large on the PELS Administrative Committee (AdCom) is an opportunity to provide honest feedback and constructive ideas to PELS leadership. It is also an excellent opportunity to help shape PELS initiatives from conferences to publications, competitions, young professional events, and many other activities. Fresh ideas are always needed for PELS and any other society or organization, and I will bring this to the AdCom. I will also be accessible by PELS members to bring relevant topics of discussion to the AdCom and proper PELS channels.
As a member-at-large, I will advocate for journal and conference reviewers to receive credit for their volunteer work through either publication fee credits or conference registration discounts. I will also advocate for Q&A sessions and mentorship sessions to guide PELS students through volunteering and learning opportunities and how to grow their membership grade during their career. A special activity that I would like to advocate for is relevant to PELS members, especially students, who need entrepreneurial support by involving experts from our community to provide advice on the patenting process, startups, fundraising, and technology innovation. I thank you in advance for considering this petition.
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Ali M. Bazzi (SM-IEEE) received the B.E. and M.E. degrees in electrical engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), Urbana, IL, USA, in 2010. In the summer of 2008 and 2009, he was an engineer with Bitrode Corporation in Fenton, MO; in 2011, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor with UIUC. He was with Delphi in Kokomo, IN as a Senior Power Electronics Engineer in 2011-2012. In 2012, he joined the ECE Department at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Storrs, CT, USA, as an Assistant Professor, where he became an associate Professor in 2018, and Full Professor in 2024. He was also an Associate Professor at AUB in 2018-2020. He is the Madonna Professor of Power Engineering at UConn, and the Founding Director of the Connecticut Power Electronics Center of Excellence (CONPEX) and Power Electronics and Drives Advanced Research Laboratory (PEARL).
Prof. Bazzi has more than 150 publications and 12 U.S. patents. He co-founded two startup companies. His research interests include power electronics design, control, optimization, fault diagnosis, and reliability modeling in motor drives, solar photovoltaics, microgrids, and other applications. He was on the organizing and technical committees of many IEEE conferences, including being the General Chair of the 2026 International Conference on Intelligent Design and Control of Automation and Drive Systems (IDCD), 2025 Symposium on Diagnostics for Electric Machines, Power Electronics, and Drives (SDEMPED), 2021 International Electric Machines and Drives Conference (IEMDC), and 2010 Power and Energy Conference at Illinois (PECI). He was an Associate Editor with the IEEE TPEL, IEEE TTE, and IEEE JESTPE. He was PELS TC3 Chair in 2021-2024.
He received the NSF CAREER Award in 2018, the 2014 Outstanding Teaching Award from the ECE Department at UConn, the 2023 Outstanding Research Award from the ECE Department at UConn, the 2015 and 2018 Research Excellence Awards at UConn, and the 2025 Outstanding Engineering Educator Award at UConn. He is a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.
Sanjeet Kumar Dwivedi
Sanjeet Kumar Dwivedi
Position Statement: I bring over 30 years of experience in power electronics across industry and academia, with a clear focus on renewable energy systems, grid-forming converters, and green hydrogen technologies. My work spans multi-megawatt wind turbine converters, electrolyzer systems, and advanced sensor-based diagnostics. I combine deep technical expertise with strong execution in product development, innovation, and industry collaboration.
As an active IEEE volunteer and selected IEEE PELS Distinguished Lecturer for 2026–2027, I have engaged with global communities to share knowledge and strengthen industry-academia connections. My editorial roles with IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics have helped maintain high technical standards and support emerging research directions.
If elected as Member-at-Large, I will focus on three priorities. First, strengthen industry engagement by connecting PELS activities with real-world applications in wind, hydrogen, and electrification. Second, support young professionals, PhD scholars, and early-career researchers through mentoring and practical knowledge-sharing on innovation and research funding. Third, promote digitalization, AI-driven design, and system-level thinking in power electronics to address future energy challenges.
My goal is to contribute to a more connected, impactful, and forward-looking PELS community that accelerates sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
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Dr. Sanjeet Kumar Dwivedi is a senior power electronics expert, technology leader, and IEEE volunteer with over 30 years of experience across academia, industry, and innovation ecosystems in Europe, India, and Australia. He currently serves as an independent consultant with Vestas, contributing to advanced sensor technologies and safety systems for offshore wind applications.
Dr. Dwivedi has held key roles at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Everfuel, and Danfoss, where he led development of multi-megawatt converter systems, grid-forming technologies, and hydrogen energy solutions. His work has directly contributed to large-scale renewable energy systems, including offshore wind converters and 20 MW electrolyzer platforms. At Danfoss, he drove innovation programs that resulted in patented technologies and products generating over EUR 200 million in annual revenue.
He holds a PhD in power electronics from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and an MSc in Engineering with specialization in Innovation and Business from the University of Southern Denmark. He is a Fellow of the IET and a Senior Member of IEEE. He has also completed executive education at MIT Sloan School of Management.
Dr. Dwivedi has a strong academic and editorial profile. He serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and has previously served as Technical Editor for IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. He is the author of several books with leading publishers, including Elsevier, IET, and Wiley-IEEE Press, focusing on power electronics, electric drives, and green hydrogen systems.
He is an active IEEE volunteer and has been selected as an IEEE Power Electronics Society Distinguished Lecturer for 2026–2027. His contributions span industry engagement, technical dissemination, and global collaboration. He has received several awards, including the IEEE Best Paper Award and the Danfoss “Man on the Moon” Innovation Award.
Dr. Dwivedi’s vision is to advance sustainable energy systems through power electronics innovation, digitalization, and strong industry-academia collaboration, while supporting the global IEEE PELS community in driving impactful technologies for a greener future.
Kishan Joshi
Kishan joshi
Position Statement: I am honored to be considered for the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) Administrative Committee Member-at-Large position. Throughout my career, I have been committed to advancing power electronics technologies while building strong connections among industry, academia, and the broader engineering community.
PELS plays a critical role in enabling innovation in renewable energy, energy storage, data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and intelligent power conversion systems. As the demand for energy-efficient computing and AI accelerates, power electronics will be central to delivering the performance, reliability, and sustainability required by next-generation compute infrastructure. I am passionate about helping PELS strengthen its leadership in these rapidly growing areas and contributing to the advancement of power technologies that will shape the future.
As a Member-at-Large, I will focus on increasing industry engagement within PELS by creating stronger opportunities for collaboration among practicing engineers, researchers, technology leaders, and system architects. Greater industry participation will help ensure that our conferences, publications, standards activities, and educational programs remain relevant to emerging technological challenges and opportunities.
I am equally committed to the development of students and young professionals. Through my experiences mentoring early-career engineers, supporting student initiatives across different IEEE initiatives, and fostering collaboration across industry and academia, I have seen the transformative impact of meaningful technical, leadership, and networking opportunities.
If elected, I will bring a collaborative, and forward-looking perspective to AdCom and work diligently to support PELS’s mission, strengthen member value, and advance the field of power electronics for the benefit of society.
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Dr. Kishan Joshi received his M.S. & Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA in 2016 & 2020 and his B.E in Electronics & Communication from B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli, India. He is currently working as an Analog Engineering Manager at Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA on fully integrated voltage regulators. Prior to joining Intel, Kishan has worked at Texas Instruments Inc. Tucson, AZ in the Linear Power group designing Low DropOut regulators from 2019 to 2021. From 2012 to 2014 he was a Digital Circuit Designer at Sankalp Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd., India where he worked on standard cell library design for mixed-signal libraries. His current research interests include integrated vertical power delivery, low-power analog design, supply ripple rejection and power management IC design. Dr. Joshi has published more than 12 highly cited journal papers and patents. He is an Associate Editor at Transactions on Power Electronics as well as a peer reviewer for IEEE Access, TCAS-I & II, SSCL, APEC, ISCAS. He is also the Vice-Chair of IEEE Santa Clara Valley Section for 2025 & 2026 driving membership growth and organizing local section events. From 2022-2024 he has served as the Chair of San Francisco Bay Area Council PELS Chapter and is the current Vice-Chair. Dr. Joshi is the recipient of the Fierce Electronics 40 under 40 award and 2025 IEEE Santa Clara Valley Section Outstanding Engineer Award. He has been invited as a Luminary to the 2026 IEEE Laureate Forum and Honors Ceremony. He is currently serving as the Regional Chair for IEEE PELS Region 4-6 overseeing ~25 chapters. He is also a member of the PELS TC-2 on Power Components, Integration and Power ICs. Kishan has served as the Electronic Media Co-Chair for ECCE 2025, Tutorials Committee Co-Chair and Vice-Chair for ECCE 2026, Track Chair for APEC 2026 in the DC-DC Converter Track.
Mahesh Kumar
Mahesh Kumar
Position Statement: I am honored to submit my petition for the IEEE PELS Member-at-Large position for the 2027–2029 term. As an active IEEE volunteer and founder of the PELS Karachi Section, I have been deeply engaged in promoting power electronics research, industry collaboration, and professional development in emerging regions.
My vision is to strengthen global collaboration within PELS, particularly by enhancing participation from developing countries, fostering academia–industry partnerships, and supporting early-career researchers. I aim to contribute to expanding PELS technical activities, conferences, and educational initiatives, while promoting innovation in sustainable energy and power electronics technologies.
With my experience in leadership roles, research, and IEEE service, I am committed to advancing the mission and global impact of IEEE PELS.
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Dr. Mahesh Kumar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, Pakistan, and a registered Professional Engineer with the Pakistan Engineering Council. He earned his PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia, and holds M.Eng. and B.Eng. degrees in Electrical Engineering from MUET.
With over 17 years of experience in teaching, research, and industry collaboration, Dr. Kumar has developed strong expertise in smart grids, microgrids, renewable energy systems, and power electronics applications. His research focuses on advanced control strategies, computational intelligence techniques, and optimization methods for sustainable and resilient power system planning. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, with over 1,300 citations.
His work encompasses renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and distributed energy resources (DERs) in both grid-connected and islanded environments. He has contributed to techno-economic analysis of hybrid energy systems, including PV–wind–hydrogen-based EV charging stations, solar PV feasibility for industrial applications, and rural electrification through off-grid solutions in underserved regions of Pakistan.
Dr. Kumar is a Senior Member of IEEE and actively contributes to the professional community as the Founder and Chair of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) Karachi Section, Pakistan and advisor IEEE PELS Mehran Univeristy Student Branch. He has served as a program evaluator for accreditation, reviewer for national research grants, and editorial board member of international journals. He is also an approved PhD supervisor by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
His contributions to engineering education and research have been recognized through several awards, including the Outstanding Engineering Award from IEEE Power and Energy Society and the Excellence Award from the Institution of Electrical Engineers Pakistan (IEEP).
Tsorng-Juu Peter Liang
Tsorng-Juu Peter Liang
Position Statement: For more than three decades, I have served the global power electronics community through research, education, industry engagement, and IEEE volunteer leadership. Throughout this journey, I have witnessed IEEE PELS play a vital role in driving innovation, fostering international collaboration, and shaping the future of power conversion technologies. If elected to the PELS Administrative Committee, I will focus on three priorities to enhance the value, visibility, and impact of IEEE PELS.
First, I will strengthen PELS publications and technical products. Through my service as Editor-in-Chief of JESTPE, Chair of the JESTPE Steering Committee, JESTPE Editor, and Associate Editor of IEEE TPEL, I have gained extensive experience in scholarly publishing and IEEE operations. I will work to further enhance the quality, visibility, and global influence of PELS publications.
Second, I will expand international collaboration. As a founder of the International Future Energy Electronics Conference (IFEEC), a founder of the Taiwan–Japan Circuits and Systems Workshop (TJCAS), a member of the ECCE-Asia Coordinating Committee, and Chair of the IEEE Tainan Section, I have actively promoted global partnerships. I will continue to strengthen regional engagement and cross-border technical exchanges.
Third, I will enhance academia–industry collaboration. As Director of the Delta–NCKU and LiteOn–NCKU Research Centers, former President of the Taiwan Power Electronics Association, and a member of several corporate boards, I have extensive experience building industry partnerships. I will strengthen partnerships among academia, industry, and research institutions to enhance the impact of IEEE PELS and accelerate innovation in power electronics.
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Dr. Tsorng-Juu Peter Liang (M’93–SM’10–F’16) received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Columbia, USA, in 1990 and 1993, respectively. He is currently a Distinguished Professor at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Steering Committee Chair of the IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics (JESTPE), Director of the Delta–NCKU Research Center, Director of the LiteOn–NCKU Research Center, and Convenor of the Electric Power Engineering Program at Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). He also serves on the boards of Catcher Technology and Wellysun Co., providing strategic leadership to advance innovation and industry–academia partnerships.
Over the past three decades, Dr. Liang has made significant contributions to power electronics, with research focused on sustainable energy systems, high-efficiency power converters utilizing wide-bandgap devices, and advanced lighting technologies. His accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honors, including the IEEE PELS Sustainable Energy Systems Technical Achievement Award (2025), NSTC Outstanding Research Award (2024), TaiPEA Outstanding Contribution Award (2018), elevation to IEEE Fellow (2016), and Outstanding Engineering Professor Award from the Chinese Institute of Engineers (2015).
Dr. Liang has held numerous leadership positions within IEEE, academia, and industry, including Editor-in-Chief of JESTPE, President of the Taiwan Power Electronics Association (TaiPEA), Chair of IEEE PELS Emerging Power Electronic Technologies Technical Committee (TC6), Chair of IEEE Tainan Section, and Associate Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at NCKU. He has also served as a board director of Leadtrend Technology, Compucase Enterprise, and EpiLED, promoting innovation and strengthening industry–academia collaboration.
A strong advocate for international collaboration, Dr. Liang has played key leadership roles in major conferences and professional activities within the global power electronics community. He is a founder of the International Future Energy Electronics Conference (IFEEC) and the Taiwan–Japan Circuits and Systems Workshop (TJCAS), and currently serves on the ECCE Asia Coordinating Committee. He served on the organizing committees of IFEEC 2013 and 2015, was the General Chair of IFEEC 2017–ECCE Asia, and served as a Technical Program Committee member for ECCE 2015 and ECCE 2016.
Marcelo Lobo Heldwein
Marcelo Lobo Heldwein
Position Statement: I am a power electronics researcher and educator working in multilevel converters, electromagnetic compatibility, and high-efficiency power conversion for industrial, renewable energy, and electric-mobility applications. My professional activities have connected academic research with industrial implementation through collaborations with industry, as well as through contributions to converter design, EMC methods, and advanced control strategies. My service has included leadership and editorial roles in the power electronics community, and participation in the IEEE PELS TCs on Sustainable Energy Systems and Education.
With more than 15 years of teaching experience and the supervision of over 50 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, I care deeply about education, mentoring, and community building.
If elected to PELS AdCom, I would work to strengthen PELS as a participative technical community in which members are encouraged not only to contribute technically but also to learn from one another and build lasting professional connections. Having worked in power electronics education in two continents, I believe PELS should place a strong emphasis on learning initiatives, including high-quality technical education, mentoring, and accessible knowledge exchange across regions and career stages. This community should also make networking and engagement welcoming to members, independent of their level of formal education, so that students, practicing engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and volunteers all feel that they belong and can contribute meaningfully. My goal would be to help PELS continue advancing technical excellence while becoming even more open, supportive, and connected for its global membership.
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Marcelo Lobo Heldwein received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil, in 1997 and 1999, respectively, and the doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 2007. He is currently Professor (W3) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany, where he leads the Chair of High-Power Converter Systems.
From 1999 to 2003, he worked in industry, including R&D activities at the Power Electronics Institute in Brazil and Emerson Network Power in Brazil and Sweden. After completing his doctorate, he held postdoctoral positions at ETH Zurich and UFSC from 2007 to 2009. He then joined UFSC, where he served as an Adjunct and later an Associate Professor from 2010 to 2022, before moving to TUM in 2022.
Prof. Heldwein’s research focuses on power converters and motor drives, including their topologies, modeling, design, and control. His work spans multilevel converter architectures, electromagnetic compatibility, high-efficiency power conversion, advanced control methods, and applications in renewable energy systems, electric mobility, industrial drives, and sustainable electrification. His research is motivated by the need to develop intelligent and sustainable solutions to the challenges of the energy transition.
He has published more than 60 journal papers and over 160 conference papers, authored two books, and filed 10 patent applications. His work has influenced both academia and industry through collaborations with companies such as Petrobras, WEG, Embraco, Bosch, Li Auto, BMW, Audi, and Nidec.
Prof. Heldwein has also contributed extensively to the professional community through IEEE PELS technical committees, the IEEE International Technology Roadmap for Power Electronics for Distributed Energy Resources, editorial roles including Editor-in-Chief of the Brazilian Power Electronics Journal, and service as Vice-President of the Brazilian Power Electronics Association (SOBRAEP). He is a Senior Member of IEEE, a member of SOBRAEP, and a member of the Advisory Board of PCIM Europe.
Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban
Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban
Position Statement: I have been an enthusiastic volunteer of IEEE since 2012, performed as associate editor of IEEE PELs, editorial board, and numerous committees of IEEE conferences. It is an opportunity to be a member-at-large of IEEE PELS, with my extensive professional background as a professor. My association with IEEE played a crucial role in profiting from its representatives with growth opportunities through the IEEE Power Electronics Society for students, researchers, and industrial experts.
I would delight in serving as the Members-at-large of IEEE PELS and focusing on bringing as, Close coordination with students and young engineers in all IEEE regions across the globe to encourage the membership to join IEEE PELS and bring more volunteers.
Encourage all IEEE regions and sections to increase the PELS activity through more IEEE conferences. I will put my effort into encouraging the industry to support awards, sponsorship for conferences, and fundraising for student travel grants for PELS activities.
Through IEEE PELS activities to promote renewable energy resources and zero-emission policies in all IEEE regions and sections through IEEE PELS-sponsored Symposia and Workshops, etc.
Encourage academic institutions in IEEE Region 8 and 10 to promote more IEEE-sponsored international conferences and subscriptions for IEEE PELS in the library section for students, researchers, and professional practice.
Ultimately, I would use the experience as a member-at-large to learn how to contribute to leadership positions within IEEE PELS.
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Prof. Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban received his bachelor’s from Madras University (2002), a master’s from Pondicherry University (2006), India, and a PhD from the University of Bologna, Italy (2012), all in electrical engineering. At the University of South-Eastern Norway, he holds the position of a full professor in electrical power engineering at the Department of Electrical Engineering, IT, and Cybernetics. Having authored 800 articles, he has received the Best Paper Research Paper Award from IET and IEEE conferences. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, the IETE in India, and the IET in the UK. He received the IETE Bimal Bose Award in 2023 and the IETE Best Faculty Award in 2022 for his research on power electronics and renewable energy, which the Indian government recognized. Stanford University USA has listed him in the top 2% of scientists in the world (from 2019). He had roles as an Editor, Associate Editor, and Editorial Board member for refereed journals such as IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, IEEE Transaction on Industry Applications, IEEE ACCESS, IET Power Electronics, and IET Electronics Letters. He also served as a subject editor for IET Renewable Power Generation, IET Generation, Transmission and Distribution, and FACETS (Canada). His focus lies in Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Systems. His research outcomes were influenced by citations from Google Scholar (30000) and Scopus (21000), as evidenced by his work. His leadership has driven the progress of non-isolated converters and hybrid controllers in microgrid applications and the integration of sustainable energy systems. He has mentored researchers at various academic stages, including PhDs, Masters, and Bachelors. IEEE publications highlight his activities, which DST, Danida, and other global grants fund. His exceptional research on ‘Long Duration Energy Storage Technologies’ was acknowledged by the DTU (Denmark)/IRIS group in 2023, placing him among the top 53 EU professors. He received IEEE Systems Council Outstanding Service Award 2025 for his contributions to For visionary leadership and outstanding service to the IEEE Systems Council through transformative educational initiatives and global outreach.
Jinia Roy
Jinia Roy
Position Statement: As a researcher, educator, and practitioner in power electronics, I have been fortunate to work across industry, national laboratories, and academia, contributing to applications ranging from renewable energy systems to space power electronics, and pulsed power technologies. Currently serving as the Thomas A. Lipo Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Associate Director of WEMPEC, I am deeply committed to advancing both the scientific and community-driven missions of IEEE PELS.
My involvement with IEEE as an Associate Editor, PELS Distinguished Lecturer, and active contributor to technical dissemination, has reinforced my belief that PELS plays a central role in shaping the future of electrification and energy systems. I am particularly motivated to strengthen connections between emerging research areas, such as wide bandgap devices and high-performance power conversion, and real-world deployment in critical sectors including energy, healthcare, defense, and space.
If elected, I will focus on fostering a globally connected and inclusive PELS community that supports excellence across all career stages. I am committed to enhancing knowledge exchange, encouraging broader participation from underrepresented regions, and promoting impactful collaborations that bridge innovation and application. I believe PELS has a unique opportunity not only to lead technically, but also to inspire and empower the next generation shaping the future of energy and power electronics.
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Jinia Roy was with GE Research, Niskayuna, NY, USA, and National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR previously NREL), Golden, CO, USA, for six years. She is currently the Thomas A. Lipo Assistant Professor at UW Madison and the Associate Director of Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC). She has more than 15 years of experience in the field of power electronics working on a wide range of applications including WBG-based PV inverters, grid integration of renewable energy, pulsating power buffer, and pulsed power converter for medical, defense, space, and fusion applications. She was a recipient of the 2019 IEEE PELS Prize Ph.D. Thesis Talk. She was also the recipient of the IEEE/PEDES’96 Award for the Best Thesis in Power Electronics from IIT Kanpur in 2013 and won two Best Paper Presentation Awards at “IEEE IECON 2014”, “APEC 2017”, and “APEC 2026”. She serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics since 2022. She also serves as a Regional Distinguished Lecturer for IEEE PELS since 2024. She is the recipient of the 2026 IEEE PELS Young Professional Exceptional Service Award.
Lakshminarayana Sadasivuni
Lakshmina rayana Sadasivuni
Position Statement: I am honored to be considered for the position of Member-at-Large of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS). With a distinguished career spanning academia, research, scientific administration, accreditation, and professional service, I bring extensive experience in advancing engineering education, research, innovation, and professional development at both national and international levels. My professional journey includes serving as Professor (Adjunct) at Andhra University, Principal Scientist at CSIR-NIO, Regional Officer of AICTE, Assistant Director at AICTE and the National Board of Accreditation, along with several leadership roles in higher education and technical governance. As a Senior Member of IEEE and Fellow of multiple professional organizations, I have actively contributed to research, policy development, accreditation, technical publications, conferences, and mentoring. Within IEEE, I have served in numerous leadership positions, including Vice-Chair of IEEE India Council (Professional Activites and Member Benefits and Branding), Vice-Chair of IEEE Hyderabad Section, Founding Chair of IEEE Vizag Bay Section, Chair of IEEE Vizag Bay Subsection, and Executive Committee Member of both IEEE Vizag Bay and Hyderabad Sections. Under my leadership, IEEE Vizag Bay grew from a small section in 2020 to a large section by 2022 and received the Best Membership Growth Award in 2023. I have led several IEEE-funded initiatives, facilitated the establishment of numerous Student Branches and Student Branch Chapters, and organized major international conferences, including TALE 2024, ICISSGT, IC3P, BHARAT, AGEC, and INDISCON. As a PELS Member-at-Large, I will work to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and research organizations, expand opportunities for students and young professionals, promote emerging technologies in power electronics, and support global knowledge exchange. I am committed to advancing PELS strategic goals through innovation, inclusiveness, technical excellence, and dedicated service to the worldwide PELS community.
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Dr. Lakshminarayana Sadasivuni holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems Engineering, an M.Tech. in Computer Science and Technology, and a Diploma in Russian. He has served in several distinguished academic, scientific, and administrative positions, including Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Officer on Special Duty at AU College of Engineering, Andhra University; Regional Officer at the North-West Regional Office of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Chandigarh; Assistant Director in the R&D and Planning Bureaus of AICTE, New Delhi; Assistant Director at the National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi; and Principal Scientist at CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Visakhapatnam.
He is a Fellow of the A.P. Akademi of Sciences, the Institute of Engineers, and The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), a Senior Member of IEEE (USA), a Life Member of ISTE, a Life Senior Member of CSI, and a Life Member of IGU. He has served on the Boards of Studies of several institutions and holds a granted U.S. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous institutional, sponsored, and grant-in-aid research projects with a cumulative value exceeding ₹300 crores.
His scholarly contributions include more than 40 national and international publications, one monograph, and over 250 technical reports. He has delivered more than 250 invited talks and has undertaken over 20 editorial assignments for IEEE and Springer conference proceedings. He has also reviewed one book and possesses seven years of teaching experience in the Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering at AU College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam.
In addition to his academic and research accomplishments, he has served several academic positions. He is an expert member for accreditation activities of NBA, AICTE, and other statuary agencies. Over the past 40 years, he has organized and attended numerous training programs and workshops. His professional interests include Data Mining, Data Visualization, Search Engines, and Web Mining Algorithms. He has successfully guided one Ph.D. scholar to completion and adjudicated several doctoral theses in Computer Science and Information Technology. He is a recognized Ph.D. guide at Andhra University, JNTU Hyderabad, JNTU Kakinada, and JNTU Vizianagaram. His international academic and professional engagements have taken him to the USA, Canada, Vietnam, the former USSR, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Maldives. He also served as Member Secretary of the Regional Council for the North-Western Region, covering Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Shivam Saini
Shivam Saini
Position Statement: I am Shivam Saini, a Ph.D. student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Houston. My academic and research background is focused on power electronics, dc–dc converters, voltage balancing, and impedance-based health monitoring of electrochemical energy storage systems. Through my graduate studies and research experience, I have developed a strong interest in advancing efficient, reliable, and intelligent power conversion systems for energy storage and electrified transportation applications.
As a Graduate Student Member of IEEE, I aim to actively contribute to the professional and technical community by engaging in research dissemination, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. I am committed to supporting student involvement, technical growth, and professional networking through IEEE activities. My goal is to contribute to a platform where students and researchers can exchange ideas, develop leadership skills, and participate in meaningful technical initiatives that address emerging challenges in power and energy systems.
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Shivam Saini (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) received the B.E. degree in electrical engineering from Government Engineering College, Godhra, India, in 2022, and the M.Tech. degree in power engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, India, in 2025. He is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. His current research interests include dc–dc converters, voltage balancing, and impedance-based health monitoring of electrochemical energy storage systems.
Christian Schumann
Christian Schumann
Position Statement: Power electronics is advancing rapidly, driven by fast-switching devices, increasing system complexity, and new data-driven approaches. Yet, these advances are not consistently reflected in engineering practice or in how the field is taught.
Ensuring that modern design approaches—such as system-level design, advanced methodologies, and AI-assisted techniques—are effectively applied across different application domains remains a central challenge for our community.
Within the IEEE Power Electronics Society, I aim to strengthen the connection between these advances and their practical use—through formats that emphasize application, system-level thinking, and hands-on experience in both research and industrial contexts. I also see student and early-career engagement as a key lever, especially through project-based and competition-driven activities, as well as efforts to broaden participation in the field.
I bring a perspective shaped by experience across industry, research, and engineering education, with a focus on improving how advances in power electronics are translated into practice and education.
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Christian Schumann is a Full Professor of Power Electronics at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences, where he leads a research group focusing on fast-switching transistors, advanced design methodologies, and AI-based control of power electronic systems. His work emphasizes system-level optimization, bridging converter design, control, and application-specific constraints. Prior to his academic career, he worked in industry on high-efficiency energy management systems for mobile applications, gaining hands-on experience in system integration and practical deployment. With nearly two decades of experience in power electronics, he has authored peer-reviewed publications and holds several patents in the field.
Christian is an active member of the IEEE Power Electronics Society and contributes to the Technical Committee on Design Methodologies and AI Tools (TC10), where he is engaged in advancing modern approaches to power electronics design. He served as Tutorials Chair for the IEEE Design Methodologies Conference in 2024 and serves as Expo Co-Chair in 2026. He has regularly contributed to conferences and journals as a reviewer and has served as session chair at international events. He also supports student-focused community activities, including serving on the scientific board of the Power Electronics Student Summit. Under his supervision, a student team reached the finals of the IEEE International Future Energy Challenge 2026. He has been an IEEE Senior Member since 2021.
In addition to his research, he is committed to education and mentoring. He develops project-based laboratory environments and promotes system-oriented thinking to prepare students and early-career engineers for the interdisciplinary challenges of next-generation power electronics.
Mahinda Vilathgamuwa
Mahinda Vilathgamuwa
Position Statement: I am honored to stand for election to the IEEE Power Electronics Society Members-at-Large (MAL) candidate, bringing with me over three decades of sustained service to IEEE and a deep commitment to advancing the global power electronics community. As a Professor of Power Engineering at Queensland University of Technology and an IEEE Fellow, my career has balanced high‑impact research with dedicated professional service. I have had the privilege of serving IEEE in many leadership capacities, including as Chair of the IEEE Singapore Section and Chair of the IA/PEL Chapter, where I worked to strengthen member engagement, expand technical activities, and foster meaningful collaboration between academia and industry. Within PELS, I currently serve as a Distinguished Lecturer, PELS Asia‑Pacific Regional Liaison, and an active member of the SPEC Steering Committee. My long‑term involvement with the PELS‑sponsored Southern Power Electronics Conference—spanning roles as Technical Committee Chair across multiple continents and as General Chair of SPEC 2024 in Brisbane—has given me strong insight into conference quality, inclusiveness, and regional development. In parallel, my editorial service to leading IEEE Transactions and leadership roles in ECCE‑Asia, PEDS, and related conferences have reinforced my commitment to technical excellence and volunteer development. If elected, I will work to strengthen Asia–Pacific participation in PELS activities, expand support for students and young professionals, and further promote meaningful engagement with industry. I am committed to ensuring that PELS continues to lead in emerging and impactful areas such as power‑electronics‑enabled power systems and electromobility. I also intend to leverage the Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC) as a strategic vehicle to enhance the visibility and impact of PELS in developing countries across Africa and Asia. I would be honored to serve the PELS community and contribute to its continued growth, relevance, and global impact.
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Mahinda Vilathgamuwa, IEEE Fellow, is an accomplished researcher in power engineering whose sustained and exemplary service to IEEE spans more than three decades. He is currently a Professor of Power Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane. Mahinda has rendered distinguished volunteer service to IEEE, most notably through his transformative leadership of the IEEE Singapore Section, where he served in all major executive roles, culminating as Section Chairman from 2011 to 2012 and IA/PEL Chapter Chairman in 1999-2000. During these periods, he significantly strengthened member engagement, technical activities, and industry–academia collaboration, contributing to sustained Section and Chapter growth and regional visibility. His service further extends to IEEE technical societies, where he has served as Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications and the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, helping uphold IEEE’s highest standards of scholarly excellence. He has served as a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) for the 2024–2027 term. He has provided outstanding service to the PELS-sponsored Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC) since the 2016 Auckland, New Zealand edition, where he served as Technical Committee Chair. He subsequently continued in this role for the 2018 Singapore, 2021 Rwanda, 2022 Fiji, and 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa editions of SPEC. He also served successfully as General Chair for the 2024 SPEC held in Brisbane, Australia. In addition, he serves on the SPEC Steering Committee and as the PELS Regional Liaison for Asia-Pacific. Beyond SPEC, he served as the technical committee chairman of ECCE (Asia) 2021 held in Singapore and he has held the roles of General Chair, Technical Committee Chair, and Treasurer for the IEEE Power Electronics and Drives Conference during 1999–2015, as well as for the International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies during 2008–2012. He is also involved with the IEEE IA/IE/PEL Joint Chapter in Queensland and its present chairman. He has published more than 300 research papers in leading journals and conferences in the areas of power electronic applications in power systems, wireless power transfer systems, and energy storage systems, and his work has been widely cited. He has received numerous best paper awards from IEEE-sponsored transactions and conferences, as well as a range of industrial and academic grants, including two Australian Research Council Discovery Grants.
Vinod Kumar Yadav
VINOD KUMAR YADAV
Position Statement: If elected to AdCom, my primary focus will be the creation of joint industry-academia working groups within PELS. These groups would bring together researchers and practicing engineers around specific technical themes — from advanced converter topologies to emerging wide-bandgap applications — fostering co-funded research, co-authored publications, and clearer pathways for students entering the workforce. Such structures strengthen the Society’s relevance to both communities while enriching the experience of every PELS member.
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Vinod Kuman Yadav received the Bachelor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering from Jabalpur Engineering College, Jabalpur, India, in 2015, the Master of Technology degree in power electronics and drives from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, India, in 2017, and the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India, in 2023. He was a Project Scientist with the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India. He was an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Government Engineering College Bikaner, Bikaner, India. He also was a Research Associate with Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India, and Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, the Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia. His research interests include AC-DC PFC converters, LED driver circuits, high-gain boost converters, EV chargers, hydrogen fuel technology, and power converter for particle accelerators. He was the recipient of Best Poster Award at SEFET-2023, Best Paper Award at UPCON-2022, EPREC-2024 and ETMCIS 2024.
Yuxiang Zhong
Yuxiang Zhong
Position Statement: I am honored to submit my petition for the IEEE PELS Member-at-Large election. As an early-career researcher working in power electronics and motor drives, I believe IEEE PELS plays a critical role in advancing electrification technologies and connecting researchers, engineers, and industry leaders worldwide.
My research and professional activities have allowed me to work closely with both academia and industry on practical challenges in high-efficiency motor control and power conversion systems. Through these experiences, I have developed a strong appreciation for the importance of technical collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community service within PELS.
If elected, I hope to contribute to the Society by supporting activities that strengthen industry-academia collaboration, encourage participation from young professionals and students, and promote emerging research areas such as intelligent motor drives, AI-assisted control, and sustainable energy systems. I would also be enthusiastic about supporting technical committees, conferences, publications, and member engagement activities within PELS.
I am committed to serving the PELS community with dedication, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit.
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Dr. Yuxiang Zhong is a Research Fellow with the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Southeast University, China, in 2025. His research interests include power electronics, electric motor drives, sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), high-efficiency DC/DC converters, and intelligent control for electrification systems.
Dr. Zhong has authored or co-authored more than 30 IEEE Transactions and high-quality journal papers in the fields of power electronics and motor drives. As the first author, he has published more than 10 Q1 journal papers, including four papers in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (TPEL), two papers in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics (TIE), two papers in IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification (TTE), and one paper in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics (JESTPE). He also holds more than 10 Chinese patents.
He actively serves the research community as a reviewer for multiple leading IEEE journals and conferences and has reviewed more than 100 high-quality manuscripts in the areas of power electronics, motor drives, and control systems. In addition, he is an active member of two IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) Technical Committees and has been involved in various international academic and professional activities within the IEEE PELS community.
His professional goal is to promote stronger collaboration between academia and industry, support young researchers in the power electronics community, and contribute to the advancement of sustainable electrification technologies.