Young Professionals

Abstract: Famous for innovative startups, prominent university labs and most importantly as a pioneer of modern Microwave engineering, Boston is an exceptional place for Young Professionals (YP) to network with one another and enjoy the unique culture that we have to boast. This year, the Steering Committee is focusing on providing engaging places and events for Young Professionals to feel inspired and learn valuable lessons from a diverse group of highly accomplished individuals in the field of Microwaves. Aligned with the innovative culture of Boston, the overarching theme of our YP events is how to stay inventive and competitive in a world where technology is so rapidly evolving around us.  

To spark this conversation, an informal panel session will be held at the start of the conference where attendees can speak directly with carefully selected individuals who have made significant impacts with their careers. The panelists have unique backgrounds and include a technical director at a disruptive millimeter wave startup, a prominent professor and a DARPA program manager who is also the lead developer of software defined radio framework widely used today. Our panelists encompass high achievers in hardware and software, leadership, academia, government, industry, and startups. The panel discussion will not be held in the typical ‘classroom’ setting, but rather in a more open forum space, encouraging real opportunities for connection.  

Immediately after the panel discussion, we will head off down the street to a reception at Coppersmith, which we have fully rented out. Coppersmith is a popular restaurant and bar where everyone can unwind and continue conversations with our panelists and network with other attendees. Because IMS is a one-of-a-kind opportunity where people of diverse backgrounds have access to each other, the Steering Committee is committed to making this event accessible to everyone, so it will be held later in the day and is open to all.  

And networking does not stop at these events! New to IMS2019 is a lounge area dedicated specifically to YPs. The spacious YP Lounge, situated with views of Boston’s Seaport, will be open for the entire duration of the conference, and it will be the place to go to find attendees meeting each over a lawn game, discussing a technical paper at one of the high-top tables, or just finding a comfortable spot to relax or catch up on emails. 

With these exceptional panelists and variety of exciting events planned, the Steering Committee is “wicked” excited to welcome YPs from around the world to meet and experience what Boston and IMS has to offer to the field of Microwave engineering!

Moderator: Quenton Bonds (Lead Engineer/Consultant/Speaker, NASA)

Panel Speakers:  

1. Tom Rondeau (Program Manager, DARPA Microsystems Technology Office)
2. Ming Yu (Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong)
3. Nick Kalita (Director of RF Engineering, Starry) 
4. Isar Mostafanezhad (CEO/Founder, Nalu Scientific)                                                                                

Description: How to Be “Wicked Smart” [sm-AH-t] and Competitive with the Pace of Innovation

Click here to view the bios of the panelists

Description: Place where YPs and Panelists Can Unwind and Network

Young Professionals Reception Media Sponsor:

Introduction to Intellectual Property for Early-Stage Companies

In an economy strongly characterized by fast technological change and easy access to information, intellectual property is more important than ever before. Businesses are increasingly relying on IP to raise capital, erect barriers to entry, generate steady revenue streams, defend against lawsuit threats and improve market position. IP has become particularly important for early-stage companies that aim to create a market foothold using technological innovation.        

This talk provides an introduction to intellectual property, common misconceptions and best practices. Topics discussed in this talk include trademarks, patents and trade secrets, and how early-stage companies can leverage these to further their goals. Common questions addressed in this talk include: what rights does a patent provide? when should I file a patent application? can a patent be obtained worldwide?   

About the speaker:

Michele Moresco, PhD is a patent agent in the Electrical and Computer Technologies group at Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, a Boston-based law firm that specializes in intellectual property law. Michele has extensive knowledge in the areas of optics and photonics, communications, semiconductors, electromagnetism and signal processing.

Michele counsels clients, including start-ups, Fortune 500 companies and academic institutions, on IP best practices. His practice focuses on U.S. and international patent prosecution, patent litigation, due diligence and freedom-to-operate.

Prior to joining Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, Michele was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT. While at MIT, Michele was involved in a variety of research topics, including fiber-optics networks, infrared and visible pixel arrays, and Lidar sensors for autonomous vehicles. Michele holds a PhD in electrical engineering from Boston University, where he presented a thesis on Monte Carlo models for semiconductor materials and devices.