ECE Women Shine at Women in Engineering Banquet
By Kate Scherer
Eleven electrical and computer engineering students were honored at the 32nd annual Women in Engineering Banquet, held February 16, 2012 at the Ohio Union. The goal of the evening was to celebrate the achievements of women engineering students.
ECE undergraduates Jessica Burk and Kate Scherer both received two of the 10 prestigious leadership awards given this year.
Jessica Burk received the GE Leadership Award for service to the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers. As co-president of IEEE at The Ohio State University, she leads the group’s planning efforts for IEEE’s Region 2 Student Activities Conference, which Ohio State will host this spring. IEEE’s faculty advisor, Professor Paul Berger, describes Burk as “the peak of efficiency, effectiveness, politeness and manners.” She will graduate in the spring and plans to work at GE Lighting in Cleveland, OH.
Kate Scherer received the Harris Corporation Leadership Award for service to the Electrical & Computer Engineering department. Scherer has set a solid example of leadership in electrical and computer engineering. Some of her recent leadership roles include organizing the department’s spring picnic, serving as editor for the ECE student newsletter, organizing an ECE major spotlight event to showcase the seven ECE concentrations, and speaking at ECE recruitment events. Scherer will graduate in the spring and plans to work at Harris RF Communications in Rochester, NY.
The recipient of an OSU Presidential Fellowship, Ramesh has written or co-written nine papers, is the author of a comprehensive book chapter and has at least three invention disclosures, one of which has been already filed as a provisional patent. Advised by ECE Professor Paul Berger, she has championed the research group’s tunnel diode work, in part through her six-month internship with the Interuniversity Microelectronics Center in Belgium. Ramesh helped guide her team to first place in the Fisher Business Plan Competition. This victory has propelled the launch of a new company, which she named “QuTel” (Quantum Tunneling Electronics). Her work has also created the group’s new focus into biosensors that are affordable and easy to manufacture.
In addition to her leadership in the lab, Anisha Ramesh has demonstrated initiative within her department and technical organization, serving as one of the founders of the IEEE Graduate Student Body. She continues to volunteer and advocate for the organization. Her record of service also includes mentorship of four graduate students, one visiting scholar and three undergraduate researchers. She plans to graduate in June 2012 and will be taking a position with Intel.
Seven women in ECE are graduating with a master’s degree this year: Amal Hassan, Christine Jackson, Swetha Karusala, Manasi Lagare, Preesha Prince and Fang Ren. Nine women in ECE are graduating with a bachelor’s degree this year: Jinnia Baum, Ishita Bazaz, Gwynne Briggs, Jessica Burk, Chen Chen, Jennifer Horton, Katie House, Katherine Scherer and Tina Setter.
The following ten women in ECE were honored with outstanding academic awards for their continued excellent classwork, this award included a scholarship presented by one of the WiE Banquet Sponsors: Jinnia Baum, Ishita Bazaz, Gwynne Briggs, Jessica Burk, Chen Chen, Jennifer Horton, Katie House, Katherine Scherer, Tina Setter and Katie Slattery.
More than 200 women students in engineering attended the banquet, along with professionals from industry and Ohio State faculty and staff. ECE department chair Dr. Robert Lee and ECE advisor Susan Noble represented the ECE department, which sponsored Outstanding Academic Awards and Leadership Awards as well as graduating student dinners. Kim Stevenson, the vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of Intel gave the keynote speech.
Congratulations to our women in ECE!
About Women in Engineering Program (WiE)
Women in Engineering Program (WiE) at The Ohio State University works to increase the number of women earning degrees in engineering. Through partnerships with alumni, corporations, and community and educational organizations, WiE develops innovative and exciting programming to introduce girls and women to the wide variety of careers and opportunities available to engineers. In creating a supportive and inclusive culture, WiE encourages students to reach their full potential as future engineering professionals. For more information visit http://wie.osu.edu.
