Scott Bukofsky of U.S. Department of Commerce

American innovation is the underpinning that led to the global semiconductor industry today. As the industry hurtles toward a $1T / year revenue by the end of the decade and semiconductors are ubiquitous in everyday life, it is critical to consider U.S. economic and national security with regard to this crucial resource. As a result, the bipartisan CHIPS Act appropriated more than $52 billion to grow the nation’s semiconductor manufacturing base and accelerate microelectronics R&D.

Significant U.S. manufacturing capacity through CHIPS incentives will soon be online. Additionally, several new R&D programs have been created to advance U.S. leadership, including the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). This talk discusses the role of the CHIPS R&D programs as engines of innovation drivers of domestic semiconductor workforce development. Particular focus will be spent on the NSTC, its goals, key programs and opportunities, as well as future prototyping infrastructure to accelerate the pace of innovation.

Biography:

Dr. Bukofsky joined the CHIPS R&D Office in January 2024 as the Director of Capabilities for the CHIPS NSTC program. In this role, he is responsible for defining and executing on R&D capabilities to support the National Semiconductor Technology Center, including prototyping facilities and other infrastructure needed to execute a world-class semiconductor R&D program for the benefit of U.S. economic and national security. Prior to CHIPS, Scott spent more than 30 years in the semiconductor industry at IBM Microelectronics, GlobalFoundries, and Synopsys in roles spanning research, technology R&D, and new business development. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Microelectronic Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Yale University. 

Nicole Kerness of Menlo Micro

Menlo Micro makes ideal switches; this talk will provide a history then lead into the materials that enable reliability and process efficiency. A description of the technology including the integration of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and through glass vias (TGVs) will be shown. Key applications and performance of the ideal switch and how it compares to other switches will finish the talk.

Biography:

Nicole Kerness is the Senior Director of Process Integration and Engineering at Menlo Micro working on the Ideal Switch managing a team of engineers responsible for yield improvement and bringing up a new fabrication facility including key equipment, processes, integration, and characterization of a new technology including qualification and schedule. At Kionix, she was VP of Sensor Design, Process and Advanced Product Development she managed sensor development and prototyping through production launch in accelerometers and gyroscopes. Prior to that she was an Executive Director at Maxim Integrated in Advanced Research and Development focused on Optical Sensor Integration and wafer level packaging of those sensors. She led sensor strategy, authored over 20 patents and brought multiple new technologies to high volume production. Before that at SMI she was Vice President of Product Engineering where she managed engineers to develop, improve, and sustain the product portfolio primarily pressure sensors (die and packaged parts) for automotive, medical and industrial applications. She completed her Post Doctoral studies at Stanford University, PhD at ETH Zurich, MS from Cornell University and BS from RPI in Engineering Physics. Currently she serves as the treasurer for the Transducers Research Foundation.

Lisa Fritz of Wolfspeed

In this keynote, we will explore the advanced semiconductor technology of Silicon Carbide from Materials to Power Electronics, how it is powering the world’s most disruptive innovations and transforming key industries such as automotive from Internal Combustion Engines to Electric Vehicles.   We will give you an understanding of the key role quality and reliability plays in this technology and industry, and a look at the world’s first 200mm highly automated Silicon Carbide Wafer Fab right here in New York’s Mohawk Valley as well as the world’s largest Silicon Carbide Materials manufacturing facility in North Carolina.  

Biography:

Lisa Fritz joined Wolfspeed in 2018. As Senior Vice President of Global Quality, she is responsible for the strategy and direction of Wolfspeed’s Quality, Failure Analysis and Reliability labs, and Operational Excellence. Her key focus has been on integrating Wolfspeed’s people, systems, and culture to drive quality as a competitive advantage for both Wolfspeed and their customers, and she has built a global team across manufacturing, business, and customer quality to drive this.

Lisa is an experienced engineering and quality professional with over 25 years in the semiconductor and automotive industries. Prior to joining Wolfspeed, she had a long career spanning 20 years at Texas Instruments, most recently serving as Quality Director for their High Volume Analog and Logic business.  She is also very passionate about supporting women and minorities in STEM fields and is a co-founder of Wolfspeed’s Women’s Initiative Employee Resource Group. She has also participated on university advisory boards and panels and as a panelist for Society of Women Engineers conferences.  

Lisa holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University.

Panel Session on Workforce Development

Panel Session Participants:

• Dr. Michael A. Jackson, RIT Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering (panel session moderator)

• Dr. Dan J. Dechene, IBM Semiconductors, Director, Semiconductor Enablement

• Andrew Seward, TOKYO ELECTRON AMERICA, INC., Diverse Systems and Solutions, Marketing and Analytics Manager   

• Dr. Scott Bukofsky, U.S. Department of Commerce, Director of Capabilities, CHIPS NSTC program

• Dr. Nicole Kerness, Menlo Micro, Senior Director of Process Integration and Engineering

• Ida Habtemichael, Micron Technology, Sr. Project Manager, NY Expansion

• Lisa Fritz, Wolfspeed, Senior Vice President of Global Quality

• Keith Tabakman, GlobalFoundries, Director Global Capacity Planning

Discussion Topics:

• How do we get more STEM students directed into semiconductor related fields?
• What specific skill sets are needed? Education levels? Training certifications? 
• What do panel members think can be done to utilize more foreign students and recent college graduate workforce on immigration visas?
• How can companies improve the family-oriented approach for recruiting workforce?  Can we work with town boroughs to create spouse jobs and assist with schools for the children?
• How can we flex work conditions to attract more women who may be interested in a semiconductor career but shy away due to work-life balance and lack of diversity in companies?