John Schaff of APP/MTT

Biography:

Mr. John Schaf has been in the aerospace industry for 37 years and for most of that time has been involved in advanced computing for satellite, spacecraft, missiles, and Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC).  This includes designing and testing microelectronic circuits to survive the terrors of natural and man made radiation environments in space.   He received his BS and MS all in electrical engineering from University at Buffalo and has held positions at various aerospace firms across the United States.  Mr. Schaf has been with Moog Inc. for the last 32 years.

Davoud Adinehloo of EDS & NTC

Modern computational methods and materials modeling are accelerating the discovery of next-generation materials for electronics, sensing, energy-efficient devices, and communication technologies.

Examples from semiconductor and nanomaterials research will be highlighted, with emphasis on how simulation connects atomic-scale physics to real engineering applications.

Biography:

Davoud Adinehloo is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University at Buffalo, where he received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on computational modeling of advanced materials for electronics, photonics, energy technologies, and AI-enabled spectroscopy.

Rebecca Grey of WIE/WIT

This presentation explores the impact of multi-disciplinary engineering in modern product development, where success depends on effective integration across mechanical, electrical, and software systems. Drawing from personal experience and industry perspectives, it is important to highlight how technical breadth can serve as both a catalyst for early career growth and a challenge to technical specialization. These dynamics have important implications for both individual career development and engineering team effectiveness. The discussion considers how these patterns disproportionately shape the experiences of women in engineering, especially as retention declines from approximately 27% in early career stages to only 15% after ten years in engineering roles. Understanding and addressing these factors is critical to building more inclusive and effective engineering organizations. 

Biography:

Rebecca Grey is a Product Engineer III in R&D at ACV Auctions, where she supports the development, manufacturing, and deployment of advanced automotive inspection technology. Rebecca earned her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. 

Rebecca has been a strong advocate for women in engineering throughout her nine-year engineering journey. She is an active leader in the Society of Women Engineers, serving for the past three years as President of the Western New York Professional Chapter

Nadia Mugisha of WIE/WIT

Engineering careers rarely follow a straight line and the people who thrive are the ones who take ownership of the journey. Nadia shares WISE, a four-part framework drawn from her career across water engineering and cross-disciplinary work: Work hard. Involve yourself. Stand for something. Enjoy the journey. Using real examples from the Queen City Clean Water Initiative, she blends technical insight with candid career lessons and sends every attendee home with one concrete commitment.

Biography:

Nadia Mugisha, PE, PMP, CDT, is a Senior Engineer at TYLin with over 10 years of experience in water and wastewater planning, design, construction, program management, and community engagement. A graduate of the WEF Water Leadership Institute, she is passionate about helping utilities strengthen resilience through regional partnerships and innovative infrastructure solutions.

Nadia is actively involved in several professional organizations, including WEF, NYWEA, and ACEC where she holds various leadership roles. She is a dedicated volunteer with NYWEA's InFLOW program (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water), which encourages students from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in the water industry.

Adedoyin Inaolaji of PES

Small modular reactors (SMRs) offer clean nuclear power for distribution grids but face operational constraints, including ramp rate limits and xenon poisoning hold times, that challenge integration with dynamic electric vehicle (EV) charging demand. This work quantifies the “realism gap” between idealized and physics-constrained nuclear models, demonstrating how these operational limitations affect customer charging satisfaction. Using optimization frameworks applied to large-scale EV populations across both radial and meshed distribution networks, we reveal a fundamental trade-off between voltage performance and coordination complexity.

Biography:

Adedoyin Inaolaji is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo. She holds an MS and a PhD from Florida International University, earned in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Her research focuses on the development of intelligent control systems and optimization algorithms for integrated power and energy systems.

Brian Murphy of PES

This presentation takes a holistic view of the Global energy mix for generating electricity and discusses how each type of power source in the mix has been affected by recent political changes and global conflicts. At the same time, global demand for electricity continues to rise with population growth, development, and electronics, and in part due to the explosion of the Bitcoin and Artificial Intelligence (AI) markets, driving data mining center expansion. Can a future with dependable, reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly energy be created to meet demand? Ideas for a collaborative approach and a well-considered energy mix that support the expanding electrical demand must include infrastructure enhancements and a dedication to environmental responsibility. The conclusions suggest energy plans that are a smart blend of reliable power and cutting-edge renewables, designed to fuel the expansion of electrical demand while staying true to environmental stewardship goals

Biography:

With 14 years of experience as an Engineering Professor (both full-time and part-time), Dr. Murphy currently teaches across all three programs within the Engineering Technology Department and previously served as Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program at SUNY Erie Community College from 2018 to 2022.

Dr. Murphy holds a Doctorate of Ed. in Educational Leadership and Change from SUNY Empire, 2025

Dissertation: Clean Energy Education: Curriculum to Change Lives and Address Climate Change - recipient of the Best Dissertation Award. He also holds a Naval Engineering Degree, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an M.S. in Ocean Systems Management, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Interestingly, Dr. Murphy received the IEEE Outstanding Student award while completing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology & Energy Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also holds a Sustainability Advanced Certificate from the University at Buffalo and NABCEP Solar PV Associate Certification.

Dr. Murphy has a distinguished military career. He served as a Submarine Engineering Officer on both Fast Attack and Ballistic Missile Submarines. He achieved the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy and brings extensive project management and leadership expertise across multiple engineering disciplines, including the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of U.S. Navy ships and submarines.

His industrial experience includes eight years as Operations Manager for a precious metals refinery and as a Continuous Improvement Leader for an advanced materials manufacturer.

Dr. Murphy has authored numerous publications in engineering education, clean energy, and sustainable technologies