Claim OwnershipCornell Engineering Career Conversations
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We celebrate excellence and innovation among engineers whose impact contributes to a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable world.
37 Episodes
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In this episode, Christa Downey speaks with Charles “Chaz” Calitri ‘81, Vice President of Operations at Kyowa Kirin North America. Chaz reflects on his 40-year career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and engineering—from leading Pfizer’s efforts to produce the COVID-19 vaccine to overseeing the construction of Kyowa Kirin’s first U.S. biomanufacturing facility. He shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of empathy, global experience, and technical depth in engineering. Chaz also discusses the evolving role of AI in pharma, the impact of collaboration in solving complex problems, and his belief that “time is life” when it comes to innovation that improves human health.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Simpkins Family COMPASS Program: https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/selander-center-engineering-leadership/simpkins-family-compass-program/
International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering: https://ispe.org/
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Matt Richwine ‘08, M.Eng. ‘09, co-founder and CEO of Telos Energy, is designing, testing, and analyzing thermal and renewable power generation equipment. Matt discusses his career journey, the unexpected connections that shaped his professional path, and the evolving role of AI in the energy industry. Matt shares memorable stories about mentoring Cornell students, including one that led to his longest-serving employee, and reflects on the value of curiosity, networking, and trying new things.
He can be found at: LinkedIn
Matt recommends:
Utility Dive: https://www.utilitydive.com/
Energy Systems Integration Group: https://www.esig.energy/about/
IEEE: https://www.ieee.org/
CIGRE- www.cigre.org
The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1l2QJj8EOK2ywLZ1jQMuAI
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
In this episode, alum Patrick Nichols ‘97, Managing Director at Vista Equity Partners, shares his career journey from computer science student at Cornell to technology executive and investor. He reflects on his early work as a developer, his transition into business leadership, and his experience applying an engineering mindset to private equity, where he helps companies grow by leveraging data, analytics, and operational improvements. Patrick discusses the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence, emphasizing both its transformative potential for business efficiency and the need for responsible leadership to manage its societal effects.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
In this episode of Engineering Career Conversations, hosts Christa Downey and Traci Nathans-Kelly speak with Robert Boehringer ’82, Vice President of Process Management Services at Orion Development Group. With more than 30 years of experience, he has helped leaders and professionals improve quality and productivity. In addition to process improvement methodologies and focused automation, he facilitates process mapping—the de facto standard in the industry—and has provided services to more than 40,000 professionals in both the private and public sectors over the past three decades.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Daniel Morgan is a Research Portfolio Manager for Mission: Cure. This is a patient research organization dedicated to finding therapies for chronic pancreatitis. Daniel shares how his research background helps his team make informed decisions about allocating research dollars to discover life altering therapies for this painful rare disease with no cure. He also discusses how he uses his bachelor’s and master’s of engineering degrees in biological and biomedical engineering to inform his work as a scientist.
He can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmorgan23
He recommends: https://mission-cure.org/
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Gigi Boehringer, a Senior Product Manager at AWS, discusses her role in developing Amazon Workspaces Core, a third-party integration API for virtual desktops. She describes the balance between technical development and go-to-market strategies, emphasizing AWS’s customer-centric approach to product management. Gigi also shares insights into AI's role in AWS offerings and advises aspiring product managers to gain experience through internships, technical projects, and collaborative leadership roles.
She can be found at: www.linkedin.com/in/gigi-boehringer-9255b3108/
Follow AWS OnAir
LinkedIn https://awsonair.net/LinkedInAWSOnAir
Twitch https://awsonair.net/subscribe
#awsonair #cloudcomputing
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Jason Wright is a Principal Electrical Engineer at Synchron, a brain-computer interface startup. Jason shares insights into his work developing implantable devices to help individuals with severe paralysis regain digital communication abilities. He discusses his role, which blends hardware, firmware, and systems engineering, and highlights the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced medical technology startup.
He can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpwright0/
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Garrett Lang ’01 is, among other things, the founder and President of PlateRate, an online service that helps diners find great local restaurants and their best meals. A graduate of the Computer Science program, he serves as the online chair for the NYC Cornellian community and is also the Executive Director of the Free Thinker Institute. Garrett shares his philosophy of "generous capitalism" and walks us through his entrepreneurial journey.
He can be found at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettlang1/
garrett@platerate.com
He recommends:
Free Thinker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/FreeThinkIns
Global Cornell Online Community, which can be accessed on Discord https://cornellonlinecommunity.com/
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Dr. Jarvis Sulcer ‘95, ‘98, COO and co-founder of Lingo Solutions Inc., shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, inspired by his experiences in nuclear science and engineering. Initially planning a career in academia, he shifted to industry for real-world experience, eventually founding a tutoring business and discovering a passion for entrepreneurship. At Lingo Solutions, Jarvis now focuses on developing coding kits for students and educators, empowering them with hands-on STEM learning. His daily role involves B2B sales, business development, and team leadership, but his primary motivation is creating transformative educational experiences.
He can be found at:
IG: @JDSulcer, X: @JDSulcer and LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarvis-sulcer-ph-d/
He recommends:
LINGO’s subscription model B2C customers- https://stemlingo.com/products/lingo-stem-coding-subscription-box?selling_plan=946569260&variant=42193692524588
We are STEM Leaders notebook for youth- https://tinyurl.com/WeAreStemNotebook
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Howie Singer ’77, ’79 (ORIE) is an expert on the implications of new technology in the music industry. In 15 years at Warner Music Group, he served as SVP and Chief Strategic Technologist analyzing services and companies that could enhance or threaten WMG’s businesses. As a Strategic Consultant to Universal Music Group, MQA Ltd, and other start-ups, he currently advises on products, services, and technologies related to high-resolution music, Artificial Intelligence, podcasts, and streaming data analysis. He is co-author of a new book, "Key Changes: The Ten Times Technology Transformed the Music Industry."
Howie can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/howiesinger/
Check out his book: Key Changes https://www.amazon.com/Key-Changes-Technology-Transformed-Industry/dp/0197656900
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Tamir Lance ‘04, ‘05, a senior engineering manager at Maxeon Solar, discusses his career path in the renewable energy industry and his role working with teams around the world. He highlights the significance of mentoring young engineers and fostering their career development through hands-on training and individualized growth plans. Tamir also speaks to the importance of working for companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, such as Maxeon’s commitment to ESG principles.
Tamir can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamir-lance-a2a2765/
He recommends:
“Cornell Career Services both the central office and the engineering specific office especially a shout out to Craig Jones there. It was a really influential organization on me during my time at Cornell and early career.”
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Jessie Yee ’20 is a producer in the video game industry. She discusses the intricacies of managing large, multidisciplinary teams in the development of Exodus, an AAA sci-fi action-adventure role-playing game. Jessie shares insights into her role, where she helps facilitate communication and ensures smooth collaboration between design, engineering, animation, and more. She also explains the difference between a game producer and a traditional project manager, offering an insider’s look at how producers maintain the health of both the team and the project, especially during high-stress situations like crunch time. Additionally, Jessie provides advice for students interested in breaking into the game industry, drawing from her own experience as an Information Science major with minors in Film and Game Design.
Learn more about Exodus: https://www.exodusgame.com/en-US.
Jessie can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayee11/.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Haley Antoine Grantham ‘19 is a Safety and Crashworthiness Engineer at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development. As a graduate of the Biomedical Engineering program, Haley talks about her journey from working as a Pedestrian Protection Engineer to her current role in advanced body structure and computer-aided engineering. She discusses the unique aspects of her job, such as using computer modeling tools to predict injuries and conducting physical crash tests to enhance vehicle safety for both occupants and pedestrians. Haley also shares her involvement in Toyota's recruitment efforts and leadership roles within the company.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
She can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-antoine/
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Kasim Khan ’20 is a research analyst at Wood Mackenzie, a global provider of data and analytics solutions for the renewables, energy, and natural resources industries. Kasim discusses his path from being a Chemical Engineering student to his current role, where he advises clients on energy storage technologies and operations. He describes his day-to-day activities, which include aggregating quantitative and qualitative information to develop research reports and pricing forecasts. Kasim also shares his long-standing interest in climate and energy issues, highlighting his commitment to making a positive impact in the industry.
Kasim can be found on Twitter/X: @kawesomekhan
He recommends the following resources:
The Economic Dispatch (economicdispatch.substack.com) - an energy & society newsletter he started with a couple friends.
Stephen Markley’s “The Deluge” - fantastic, gripping climate fiction novel.
Cornell Energy Connection- https://www.cornellenergy.org/cec
Transcript link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Editor: Melissa Bazley
In this episode, hosts Christa Downey and Traci Nathans-Kelly talk with Florencia Paredes '11, Head of Product at Citrine Informatics. Florencia shares her journey from studying Materials Science at Cornell to leading product development at a cutting-edge software company that uses machine learning to accelerate the development of sustainable materials. The episode offers insights into the evolving field of materials informatics and Florencia's role in shaping its future.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Florencia can be found on twitter @_floparedes
Editor: Melissa Bazley
Enthusiastic engineering physics alum Tony Chen ‘12 discusses his efforts to connect Cornell alumni, including through global mixers and continuous reunions. Tony shares how the pandemic sparked the creation of bi-weekly Zoom mixers, bringing together thousands of Cornellians worldwide to foster friendships and support each other through various life changes. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections, not just during college but throughout life, and offers insights on applying a systems approach to networking. Tony also talks about the value of leveraging the Cornell network to find jobs and career opportunities in addition to friendship and camaraderie.
Tony shares the following:
Cornell Global Mixers- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lc465/
Cornell (thank) U Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornell-thank-u/id1592844944
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Melissa Bazley, Editor
Emilie Camera ‘17, ‘18, a mechanical engineer at Steinway & Sons, shares her journey of blending her passion for music with her expertise in engineering to craft bespoke pianos. From collaborating with designers to navigating manufacturing challenges, Emilie provides insights into the intricate process of creating custom pianos, including limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces. She reflects on her experiences traveling abroad to Steinway's factories and emphasizes the importance of understanding end-users' perspectives in shaping product design. Through her story, Emilie inspires listeners to explore diverse career paths within engineering and highlights the rewarding intersection of art and engineering in crafting musical instruments. Please note that due to technical difficulties, one of our host’s audio isn’t as high quality as we’d prefer in this episode. Thanks for bearing with us.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
She can be found on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-camera/
A tip she shares is, “Some job shops have a lot of good design for manufacturing (DFM) information/tips on their websites (Protolabs, Xometry, etc).”
Melissa Bazley, Editor
Alissa Diminich, ‘08, ‘09, is a principal engineer at Tennessee-based Inflo Design Group, primarily working on drinking water and wastewater projects. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree, both from Cornell University, in civil and environmental engineering. During her time at Cornell, she was a member of the AguaClara project team. Post-graduation, she has also served on the Board of the nonprofit AguaClara Reach, which aims to advance the design and innovation of community-scale, gravity-powered water treatment technologies. In addition to sharing her career journey, Alissa talks about how becoming a parent has impacted her view of her work as well as how employers can support work-life balance.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Alissa can be be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissadiminich
She recommends following:
American Water Works Association https://www.awwa.org/
Water Environment Federation https://www.wef.org/
Society of Women Engineers https://swe.org/
AguaClara Reach https://www.aguaclarareach.org/
Melissa Bazley, Editor
Christine Chang ‘04 holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master of science in STEM Education from Boise State University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at University of Colorado Boulder where she investigates human-robot collaboration and communication supported via augmented reality, particularly in high-risk environments. Christine’s career spans working at NASA and Boeing, teaching elementary and high school students, and advocating for diversity in STEM. She shares how all of these experiences have led to her current research and interest in influencing technology policy at the federal level and beyond.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
Christine can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-t-chang/ and
http://www.xtinebot.com.
She recommends the We Robot Conference.
Melissa Bazley, editor
Dayin Chen ‘17 is a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting's Sustainability Strategy and Transformation Group. Dayin shares insights from her journey, including her transition from undergraduate studies in Operations Research to completing an MBA at Wharton School of Business, and her return to Deloitte. She discusses her current project focusing on sustainability within a large food company, highlighting the complexities of engaging farmers in regenerative farming practices and navigating the corporate strategy around reducing emissions.
Transcript Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECCtranscript1
She can be found on LinkedIn.
Dayin recommends the following books: Getting to Yes; Omnivore’s Dilemma; The Third Plate
Melissa Bazley, Editor
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