Research and Development
Panelists will address how they transferred their niche technical skills from grad school to industry, share what a day in their job looks like, and advise participants on how to succeed as a scientist in industry. Participants will hear from leading experts who transferred their scientific skills to industries such as biomechanical devices and semiconductor processing. (STEM focused)
Peter Mage
Principal Engineer in the Advanced Technology Group
BD Biosciences
LinkedIn
Peter Mage is a Principal Engineer in the Advanced Technology Group at BD Biosciences, where he is responsible for inventing and commercializing new tools for understanding biology at the single-cell level. Peter’s R&D work at BD focuses on the development and application of novel computational design techniques to address challenges spanning the fields of optics, signal processing, fluorescence spectroscopy, and bioinformatics, all with the goal of enabling deeper biological insights for researchers and clinicians. Prior to joining BD in 2018, he developed biosensing and drug delivery technologies for personalized medicine as a postdoc at Stanford University in the departments of Electrical Engineering and Radiology. Peter earned his PhD in Materials with a Bioengineering emphasis from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016, and holds bachelor’s degrees in physics and math.
Derek Falcone
Research and Development Specialist and Process Development Engineer
Apeel Sciences
LinkedIn
Dr. Derek Falcone is a Research and Development Specialist and Process Development Engineer at Apeel Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and the University of Virginia, respectively. His academic journey focused on the characterization, synthesis, and application of heterogeneous catalysts geared towards advancing green technologies to address the challenges posed by anthropogenic climate change. Following this, Dr. Falcone spent two years contributing his expertise at SABIC in Houston, TX, before joining Apeel Sciences during its nascent stage in Goleta, CA. During Derek’s tenure, Apeel has scaled its plant-derived products, providing novel technology to the fresh produce industry world-wide. Dr. Falcone's contributions encompass formulation development, formulation scale-up, and the design of advanced application equipment instrumental to Apeel's progressive trajectory.
Shannon Heinrich
Senior Electrolyte Scientist
Cuberg
LinkedIn
Dr. Shannon Heinrich is a Senior Electrolyte Scientist at Cuberg, a mid-size startup developing next generation lithium metal batteries for high performance electric vehicles. Within the R&D team, she designs new electrolyte formulations for optimizing battery performance. Prior to this, Shannon earned her bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Cal Poly in 2018 and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from UCSB in 2023 while working with Dr. Gabriel Ménard. Her doctoral work focused on synthesizing new, redox-switchable ligands for metal recycling applications.
Emily Toomey
Senior Researcher
Microsoft Quantum
LinkedIn
Emily is a Senior Researcher at Microsoft Quantum, where she works on the interface between device design and qubit readout. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2021, she studied hybrid superconducting-semiconducting devices at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences in Maryland. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 2015, and her PhD in electrical engineering from MIT in 2020. While at MIT, she developed novel superconducting nanowire devices for memory cells and spiking neural networks as a student of Prof. Karl Berggren. In her free time, Emily enjoys oil painting, stone carving, and creative writing.
Mike Lee
Senior Lecturer
USC
LinkedIn
Mike has split his career between major studios (Fox & Warner Bros) and innovative start-ups that have revolutionized the Internet (Netscape). He is now at his dream job of engaging with students at USC.
Mike teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied analytics and enterprise systems for USC's Viterbi School of Engineering and Marshall School of Business. He previously served as Secretary General of the USC Academic Senate and as the CTO of USC Annenberg's Media Impact Project. Mike also holds dual appointments at Viterbi's Information Technology Program and Industrial & Systems Engineering.
Kelly O'Connell
Managing Partner
360 Venture Collective
LinkedIn
Kelly is an Innovation Strategist, Social Impact Advocate, and Venture Capitalist. An accomplished corporate leader and entrepreneur, Kelly brings deep and diverse experience to her role at 360VC. Kelly has been recognized as an emerging industry thought leader and accomplished speaker. She has been published in Forbes, Women on Business, and Entrepreneur and she was recently included in Pitchbook’s 47 LGBTQ+ founders, entrepreneurs, and VCs you should know and Venture Forwards 11 LGBTQ+ VC Investors to Watch.
Mike Ball
Consultant
Self-Employed
Mike Ball is a Santa Barbara-based startup operator, consultant and advisor with broad operational experience across consumer products, B2B SaaS, B2C tech and nonprofits.
After navigating the dotcom startup boom/bust in San Francisco, Mike led outdoor adventure tours for international travelers throughout North America. He then cut his teeth as an Analyst with Bay Area mainstays Monster and Sega of America.
While pursuing his MBA (Entrepreneurship) at the University of San Francisco, Mike tried and failed to launch a startup in the then-nascent cleantech/biofuel space. Learning to fail well, learn and grow were game-changing entrepreneurial lessons.
Having worked at all levels of large and small organizations, Mike focuses his startup work with founding teams in early stage companies which seek product-market fit and growth via sales, business development, and partnerships.
Public Policy & Education
What do consultants do? In brief they advise. They use their niche experience, industry understanding, and problem solving to offer advice on specific company problems. During this panel they will share how they got into this field, what their job looks like on a daily basis, and offer advice on how to become a consultant. (STEM & SHEF focused)
Nada Rayyes
Senior Researcher
American Institutes for Research
LinkedIn
Nada Rayyes is a Senior Researcher at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) with over 20 years of experience as a qualitative and mixed-methods educational researcher, evaluator and consultant. She has experience evaluating secondary, post-secondary, career pathways, and college-based workforce development programs. Currently, she serves as the Qualitative Lead and Project Director on evaluations of programs focused on dual enrollment for high school students in Tennessee, social and emotional learning programs in Illinois, and career-connected learning activities for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Prior to her position at AIR, Dr. Rayyes held positions as researcher and evaluator at California State University, Long Beach; IMPAQ, International; Berkeley Policy Associates; WestEd; and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Rayyes works with closely with clients to deliver clear, concrete results that build capacity and support program improvements. She is passionate about using her research and analytic skills to promote social justice, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace. Rayyes holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Laura Lara-Brady
Senior Project Manager
Center for Economic Mobility at WestEd
LinkedIn
Laura Lara-Brady, Ph.D. is passionate about building student and community centered higher education systems where marginalized communities can thrive. Dr Lara-Brady leads the postsecondary work strand at the Center for Economic Mobility at WestEd. One of her most exciting projects includes the evaluation and scalability of the PUENTE program across all community colleges in the state. Previously her work at the state level includes, developing a regional model to support the implementation of Guided Pathways, in partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, currently being replicated by 18 coordinators across all 116 community colleges. Beyond California, her work extends to connecting secondary and postsecondary systems in Utah, and more recently nationwide as a CO-PI on an National Science Foundation-funded INCLUDES Coordination Hub project focused on using a systems change approach to broadening participation of underrepresented populations in STEM. Dr Lara-Brady obtained her doctorate degree from the University of Northern Colorado on Educational Psychology with two minors; research & statistics, and special education. To strike up a conversation just ask her about running or any upcoming live music events.
Lindsay Daugherty
Senior Policy Researcher
RAND Corporation
LinkedIn
Dr. Lindsay Daugherty is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation where she focuses on research related to education and workforce development policies and programs. She currently oversees more than $8M in federally funded projects that examine work-based learning programs, basic needs support for college students, and policies that award statewide college credit for industry credentials. Lindsay’s work often involves close partnership work with states and systems, including the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, the Colorado Community College System, and the state higher education agencies in Colorado, Indiana, and Ohio. Prior to working at RAND, she participated in Harvard’s Strategic Data Project, where she was embedded in Fort Worth Independent School District to study college and career transitions and receive training on researcher-practitioner partnerships. She received a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, a MA in Applied Economics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a PhD in Policy Research at Pardee RAND Graduate School.
Christopher Ozuna
Research Data Specialist
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
LinkedIn
Chris is currently a Research Data Specialist with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office where he works on statewide data analysis and strategy for several systemwide projects, including dual enrollment. He completed his PhD in GGSE's education policy program in 2021. His dissertation focused on an international comparative policy analysis between teacher education programs in California and Denmark. After graduating from UCSB, Chris worked for two years as a Strategic Data Project Fellow for the ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence in Tempe, AZ where he worked on improving coordination between K-12 and higher education systems in the state, including the creation of the ASU Impact Corps: a teacher mentor program. Chris started his career in education as a 4th grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School in Madison, WI; home of the cougars.
Jessica Daugherty
Founder and Principal
Cause IMPACTS Consulting
LinkedIn
Jessica Daugherty is the Founder and Principal of Cause IMPACTS Consulting, a social impact strategy-consulting firm that provides strategic planning, policy analysis, program design, and impact evaluation. Jessica is a dedicated policy analyst and community organizer whose career is fixated on driving social change across sectors and across social justice causes. The first ten years of her career were spent in the non-profit sector as a community organizer working on various social justice issues. Jessica then worked in the public sector where she conducted legislative policy analysis that helped amend state laws that increased opportunities for justice involved youth. Her experience in the non-profit, public, and private sectors, led her to establish Cause IMPACTS to break down the silos that exist between sectors and motivate social innovation. Jessica has spearheaded numerous initiatives, such as a Citywide Youth Development Plan for Los Angeles, corporate impact programs for fortune 500 companies, digital equity programs that reduce the digital divide, and strategic plans for organizations such as Rock the Vote, the United Way, and National Urban league. Jessica has a Masters of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and Bachelors in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
Nitzan Navick
Senior Research Consultant
Equity Praxis Group
LinkedIn
Nitzan Navick is an Organizational Communication scholar and consultant, currently completing her Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Navick holds a Master's in Organizational Communication from UCSB and a Bachelor's in Psychology with a focus on Industrial/Organizational Psychology from California State University, Channel Islands. In the consulting realm, Navick excels as a Senior Research Consultant at Equity Praxis Group, applying her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion research to drive meaningful organizational changes. Her prior roles include Lead Researcher at Wellbe Inc. and a Graduate Intern in Johnson & Johnson's Global Community Impact department, where Navick's work significantly influenced product development and NGO program evaluations, respectivley. Navick's academic contributions are marked by teaching roles in courses such as Communication and Organziational Membership, Organizational Culture, and Corporate Social Responsibility at UCSB, in addition to numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, primarily exploring the impact of technology on organizational dynamics and workplace challenges. Recognized for scholarly excellence, Navick has received several awards, including NCA's Human Communication and Technology's Division's Top Student Paper Award, the Carol Genetti Graduate Mentorhip Award, the Graduate Division Dissertation Fellowship and the Open Education Global’s Open Research Award. Navick's unique blend of academic and practical expertise positions her as a significant influencer in the fields of organizational communication and technology and has afforded her opportunities both in and beyond of academia.
Amanda Ruschel
Associate Consultant
Exponent
LinkedIn
Amanda Ruschel is a mechanical engineering consultant at Exponent in Menlo Park, CA. She helps clients evaluate and improve the performance of their products by designing and building custom mechanical test setups and recommending modifications based on results. The majority of her work focuses on medical devices and consumer products. Prior to joining Exponent, Amanda received her Ph.D. in Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Eric Zackrison
President/CEO, Principal Consultant, Lecturing Professor
IDI.US Inc., Effectiveness Consultants, UCSB Technology Management
LinkedIn
After a 30-year career as a restaurant manager and owner, Eric attained an MBA and MA from Missouri State University and a PhD in Organizational Communication from UCSB. His research interest focused on coordination of work, team dynamics, leadership, and relationships in the workplace. He currently teaches in the Department of Technology Management at UCSB, working with both undergraduate and graduate students on entrepreneurship, management, leadership, strategy, communication, and persuasion as well as teaching for the MBA program at California Lutheran University where he teaches Organizational Behavior and Sustainable Business Practices. As a consultant, Eric works with a wide range of organizations on leadership development, team building, and strategy, as well as with small businesses through two non-profits (WEV and the EDC-SBDC) tackling challenges such as market-validating a business idea to assessing how to expand to multiple locations. Additionally, Eric is also a regular presenter on LinkedIn Learning with over 800,000 views.
Sean Murray
Senior Engineer
Exponent
LinkedIn
Sean Murray, Ph.D., P.E. received his PhD in Materials from UCSB in 2021, and is now a Senior Engineer in the Materials and Corrosion Engineering Practice at Exponent. Dr. Murray assists his clients in understanding the underlying factors that have resulted in failed, fractured, and corroded components and systems, and how to make progress in preventing these failures from occurring in the future. This experience has consisted of direct-cause failure analysis of components to interdisciplinary investigations of engineering systems. His recent project experience includes failure analysis of fractured leaf-springs, railroad fastening equipment, solar panel junction boxes, leaking brazed joints, steel bolt fatigue failures, nitinol medical devices, sprinkler coating corrosion, and candidate alloy reviews. Dr. Murray has also supported clients in domestic litigation and international arbitration disputes.
Olga Faccani
TA Development Program Manager
UCSB's Office of Teaching and Learning
My journey to academic administration has seen many twists and turns. It began when I was an international PhD student in Classics at UCSB, taking advantage of numerous programs and initiatives designed to help graduate students explore careers beyond the professoriate. Along the way, I navigated VISA challenges, ventured into the non-profit sector, and briefly immersed myself in the tech world of UX. Now, in my current role as TA Development Program Manager at UCSB's Office of Teaching and Learning, I support graduate students and postdocs in all teaching-related matters.
Tanya Baker
Director of National Programs
National Writing Project
LinkedIn
Tanya is a teacher, writer, and nonprofit leader with 25 years of experience working in education in and outside of schools. She worked for more than a decade as a high school English teacher and a literacy coach, in schools in Maine. There she learned to teach through practice, study, and involvement in the University of Maine Writing Project where she became a teacher-consultant by attending the inaugural summer institute of that Writing Project site. As the executive director at NWP, Tanya has worked with many funders and partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, The Carnegie Corporation, The National Science Foundation, The Association of Science and Technology Centers, The National Park Service, and West Ed. Through these relationships and in collaboration with excellent teacher-leaders around the country, she has built and managed national programs that connect educators to work together on areas of interest and problems of practice that trouble and intrigue them. For the past twenty years Tanya has been committed to and shaped by the National Writing Project’s mission and vision. She holds a deep commitment to practices that respect teachers and students, and strives throughout her work to design learning experiences that begin with a presumption of competence, are relentlessly collaborative and deeply joyful.
Christoffer Bovbjerg
Associate Director
UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center
LinkedIn
Christoffer Bovbjerg is the Associate Director of the UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center. In this role, he provides direction and oversight to IHC events, research awards, and programs, including the Public Humanities Graduate Fellows Program, which prepares students for careers as engaged humanists within and beyond the academy. Prior to the IHC, Christoffer worked in the UCSB Office of Development in Donor Relations and Stewardship and as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of History at UC Berkeley. He earned his Ph.D. in History from UC Berkeley in 2018.
Data Science & Computing
Panelists will discuss their experience working with data science and computing.
Panelists will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.
Sepideh Taheri
Product Manager
Continental Autonomous Mobility
LinkedIn
Sepideh is a product manager in the automotive industry, responsible for the self-driving sensors, specifically the radar and lidar portfolio. Sepideh started her career as a chemical engineer. After working for around 5 years, she decided to go back to school for the Master’s in Technology Management in 2017, which emphasizes enhancing leadership, people, processes, and management skills for her next career move. She has been working at Continental Automotive for the last 5.5 years, starting as a technical marketing engineer, then being promoted to product marketing. Her latest role is product management, which helps her lead cross-functional teams, understand customer needs by asking the right questions, solve their pain points, build strong relationships with stakeholders and developing strategic roadmap for future products. Learning the framework and skills to work and lead people, processes, and products are common skills in all these roles.
Tarik Tamyurek
Analyst
Toyon Research Corporation
LinkedIn
Tarik Tamyurek is an Analyst within the Algorithm and AI Solutions team at Toyon Research Corporation in Santa Barbara, CA. His focus of work has been developing software, AI solutions and their hardware applications for various computer vision tasks. Tarik also works on developing software for reinforcement learning applications for unmanned systems. Tarik received his master’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University.