PELS Mentorship Roundtables at ECCE-NA 2024
Date: 21 October 2024
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM MT
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Room 221 A&B
Registration Fee: USD 10
Since 2017, the PELS Mentorship Roundtables event has facilitated access to distinguished leaders in the power electronics field. Covering non-technical topics essential for professional growth, the Roundtables event is an intimate setting comprised of the mentor who leads the topical discussion and a small group of mentees. The event is open to PELS members at any stage of their career.
The evening is catered with heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Distinguished mentors will lead the discussion over a shared meal in small groups. With eleven topics to choose from, you will meet with two mentors during the allotted time slots (7:00 pm and 8:00 pm). Selections are first come first served, and each roundtable has a capacity, therefore, please select only one session per time slot to guarantee your mentor(s) for the evening.
Topics and Mentors
1. Transition from academia to industry
Pradeep Shenoy
Texas Instruments (USA)
Curious about how to make a lasting impact as you transition from academia to industry? Wondering what steps you need to take to thrive in an industrial setting? Join this table to gain insights from an industry expert and learn strategies for excelling as you navigate this shift.
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Pradeep Shenoy leads Texas Instrument’s Power Design Services team focused on the automotive market. Pradeep has over 15 years of experience in power electronics working on projects ranging from solar energy conversion to electric vehicle battery chargers. He has served in several roles in the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) and the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) organizing committee. Pradeep obtained the B.S. degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He received various awards including the Illinois International Graduate Achievement Award in 2010, the Jack Kilby Award for Innovation in 2015, and the IEEE Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award in 2020.
2. Become involved in PELS
Dehong (Mark) Xu
Zhejiang University (China)
PELS offers a variety of opportunities for members to engage and make a difference. Whether through volunteering, joining Technical Committees, or participating in local Chapters, your involvement can significantly enhance the power electronics community. By dedicating your time and expertise, you can contribute to impactful initiatives, foster professional growth, and help shape the industry’s future. Learn more about how you can make a difference.
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Mark Dehong Xu received Ph.D. degree on Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University, China in 1989. He became a full professor in 1996 in Zhejiang University. He was a visiting professor in University of Tokyo in 1995, in Virginia Tech in 2000, and in ETH in 2006. He used to be head of Department of Electrical Engineering and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in Zhejiang University.
His research interests include power electronics circuits，control and applications to energy efficiency and renewable energy. He authored 9 books and 300+ IEEE Journal or Conference papers. He owns 50+ patents. He received 9 IEEE journal or conference prize paper awards. He is IEEE Fellow in 2013. He was IEEE PELS Distinguish Lecturer in 2015-2018. He received IEEE PELS R. D. Middlebrook Achievement Award in 2016.
Presently he is serving as VP Membership of IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS). He was an At-large Adcom member of PELS for 2006-2008, 2017-2019, and 2020-2022. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics, an AE of IEEE transaction on Power Electronics and IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics.
He was the General Chair of IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics(ISIE2012, Hangzhou), IEEE Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG2013, Arkansas), IEEE Power Electronics and Applications Conference (PEAC2018, Shenzhen), and International Future Energy Challenge Competition (IFEC2015, Detroit and Sheffield) etc.
3. Ethical ways to use ai for publishing
Yunwei (Ryan) Li
University of Alberta (Canada)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized countless industries, including academic publishing. But with great power comes great responsibility! In this session, explore how AI tools can be harnessed ethically to enhance research, streamline the writing process, and elevate your publications – without compromising integrity. Join to dive into the do’s and don’ts of using AI for publishing
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Yunwei (Ryan) Li is a University of Alberta Senior Engineering Research Chair and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests focus on power electronics and their applications in distributed energy resources, microgrids, renewable energy, transportation electrification, and electric motor drives. His research has produced more than 450 papers with over 25,000 citations.
Dr. Li is currently the Vice President for Products of IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS). He was the Editor-in-Chief for IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Letters 2019-2023. Dr. Li served as the general chair of IEEE Energy Conversion Congress of Exposition (ECCE) in 2020, and TPC Co-Chair of ECCE2017. Dr. Li received the Nagamori Foundation Award in 2022 and the Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award from IEEE PELS in 2013. He is a Fellow of IEEE , a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering, and recognized as the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.
4. Successful teaching methods
Katherine Kim
National Taiwan University (Taiwan)
We all remember those teachers who left a lasting impact and perhaps even inspired our passion for the fields we love today. At this table, explore innovative teaching methods that truly engage students. From flipped classrooms to online learning, discover how to spark curiosity, foster inclusivity, and create a learning environment that resonates with students from all backgrounds.
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Katherine Kim is an Associate Professor at National Taiwan University. She is an educator and researcher in power electronics, who believes teaching is not about delivering knowledge but sparking curiosity in the student. She is interested in teaching methods that draw in students from diverse backgrounds, such as flipped learning and online learning.
5. Work-life balance
Yu-Chen (Steven) Liu
National Taipei University of Technology (Taiwan)
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for productivity and well-being. Join this table as you gain insights on how to successfully navigate the demands of a professorship while maintaining a fulfilling personal life. This discussion will focus on practical strategies for achieving balance, offering perspectives that apply to professionals from all backgrounds, regardless of gender or career stage.
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Yu-Chen Liu is an Associate Professor at the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech). He has expertise in hardware design for high-density power electronics and advanced magnetics design. He served as the Taipei Section IAS Chapter Chair from 2022-2023, and is currently the General Chair for the 2025 International Future Energy Challenge.
6. Make a mark
Brad Lehman
Northeastern University (USA)
Making a meaningful impact in power electronics goes beyond involvement – it’s about leaving a lasting legacy. In this session, gain insights on how to make your mark in the industry through leadership, innovation, and strategic contributions. Learn how to position yourself for long-term success, influence the direction of cutting-edge technologies, and drive positive change in the power electronics community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or early in your career, discover how to elevate your role and create an enduring impact.
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Brad Lehman is President of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS). He previously was VP of Products since 2019 – 2022 and Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (TPEL) from 2013-2018. Brad is currently a Professor at Northeastern University (NU), Boston. His research interests include power electronics, with emphasis on the modeling, design, and control of high-density converters.
7. effective written proposals
Johan Enslin
U.S. Department of Energy (USA)
Mastering the art of proposal writing is essential for securing funding and advancing academic and industrial research. Join this table to learn key strategies for crafting compelling and successful proposals.
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Johan Enslin is currently serving as a Program Director for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) at the US Department of Energy (DOE). He is currently developing a new program in increasing grid capacity with DC Grids and manage several research projects in the power electronics and power systems area. Johan is from Clemson University as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and was the Duke Energy Endowed Chair in Smart Grid Technology, leading the large Power HIL Center in Charleston SC. Dr. Enslin combines a balanced industry and academic career with more than 44 years of leadership experience in industry, academia and government throughout the USA, Europe and South Africa. He has served as a C-suite executive for several private business operations and a full-professor in electrical engineering at several universities. Dr. Enslin received BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), South Africa, in 1981, 1983 and 1988 respectively. He has authored more than 350 technical papers, several book chapters and holds 25 patents. Johan has served in the IEEE Power Electronics (PELS), as well as Power and Energy Engineering (PES) Societies and CIGRE Working Groups for decades and is currently the President-elect (2025-2026) for PELS. He is a Fellow of the IEEE.
8. Effective Mentorship: a mentor perspective
Stephanie Watts Butler
WattsButler, LLC (USA)
Many of us have benefited from the guidance of mentors to excel in our careers. But what does it take to become an effective mentor yourself? Join this table to gain insights on the essential skills and strategies to mentor others successfully. Learn how to guide, inspire, and support mentees on their career paths while fostering growth and development.
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Stephanie Watts Butler, P.E. is the president of WattsButler LLC, an innovation services company focused on the power semiconductor industry. As a technology innovation architect with over 35 years of experience in silicon and wide bandgap technology and product development, Dr. Butler also has decades of experience with mentoring, coaching, advocating, and sponsoring. Dr. Butler’s mentoring activities have impacted hundreds of students, engineers, and managers. She leveraged this experience as moderator of the popular PELS WIE session at virtual ECCE: Mentors and Advocates- How to be one and How to find one. While at Texas Instruments, she created and implemented a world-wide coaching program for the Technical Ladder career path that by its 2nd year involved over 500 individuals (mentees, coaches, supervisors) and which demonstrated higher success rate for participants and ranked highly across all job roles. She served as a coach in a innovation skills development program, as presented by her and her mentee in Powerful Innovation: developing products and leaders with an entrepreneurial culture -WIE ILC 2021. She was a mentee in the across-company Menttium program and has served as a mentor since 2010. She also serves on the TxGCP Champion Board, as well as serving on several university and consortia advisory boards.
9. Short Research Synopsis
Joseph Kozak
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (USA)
Have you ever struggled to deliver your research to a neutral audience concisely? Do you wonder how to convey complex findings clearly and engaging effectively? Join this table to learn key strategies on how to present your research succinctly while maintaining clarity and impact.
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Joseph Kozak is the chief technologist for the Spacecraft Power Engineering group at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. He received the B.S. and M.S degrees in Engineering Physics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and 2016, and the Ph.D degree in Electrical Engineering from the Center for Power Electronic Systems (CPES) at Virginia Tech in 2021. Joseph primarily supports the NASA Dragonfly project, as well as the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) Surface Power Focus Area. His research interests include evaluating the reliability of SiC and GaN devices, and integrating these devices into high-reliability applications. Joseph is an active IEEE PELS volunteer, and was one of the winners of the 2021 IEEE PELS P3 Talk Award. He has also delivered over 10 invited lectures and tutorials, in addition to two University commencement addresses.
10. Women in power electronics: strategies for success
Christina DiMarino
Center for Power Electronics Systems (USA)
Listen to personal experiences and actionable strategies for success in a male-dominated field. You will also discuss overcoming obstacles, leveraging mentorship, and building a strong professional network. This session is designed to inspire and equip both current and aspiring women engineers with tools for long-term success.
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Christina DiMarino is an assistant professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Virginia Tech and faculty in the Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES). She received the B.S. degree in engineering from James Madison University in 2012, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Her research interests include power electronics packaging and high-density integration of wide-bandgap power semiconductors. She is a Member-at-Large for the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS), Chair for the PELS Technical Committee 2 on Power Components, Integration, and Power ICs, an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, and is a member of the PELS Women in Engineering (WIE) Committee. She has also served on the technical committees for several IEEE conferences, and is a member of the PCIM-Europe Advisory Board. She received five best paper and presentation awards at international conferences, the Outstanding New Assistant Professor Award at Virginia Tech in 2022, and the IEEE PELS Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award in 2024.
11. how to write award winning papers
Johann W. Kolar
ETH Zurich & TU Vienna
What does it take to write an award-winning paper? Join to gain insights and learn proven strategies for crafting outstanding papers. You will also learn valuable tips on capturing reader’s attention, structuring your research effectively, and enhancing the impact of your writing. Learn the key elements that make a paper exceptional and how to present your research in a way that resonates with reviewers and readers alike.
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Prof. Kolar joined the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) in 2001 as the Head of the Power Electronic Systems Laboratory after spending 15 years as an international consultant and independent researcher. During his career, he has proposed numerous novel converter concepts, including the Vienna Rectifier, spearheaded the development of x-million rpm motors, and pioneered fully automated multi-objective power electronics design procedures. He has personally supervised 90+ PhD students to completion, has extensively published in the IEEE Transactions, is named inventor in numerous granted patents, and has received several awards. As a Prof. em. (since 08/2024), he is actively continuing to pursue research in ultra-compact/efficient WBG converter systems, AI and ML applications in power electronics, Solid-State Transformers, and the life cycle analysis of power electronics converter systems. He is an international member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and an IEEE Fellow.
