Black Engineer Week 2024 Creates Summer Excitement for Engineering Students
Black Engineer Week (BEW) has become an anticipated yearly event, with its 4th annual gathering happening this past June. Historically, African American engineers have been underrepresented in Silicon Valley, one of the richest areas in the world. To this end, BEW aims to bring African American engineers to the forefront and foster connections amongst the engineering community.
The event focuses on increasing the number of African American engineers in Silicon Valley by connecting engineering students with professionals in an effort to cultivate relationships, foster internship opportunities, and provide pathways to become industry engineers.
Three Cal Poly Pomona engineering students explain why they were inspired to attend the week-long event, and what they got out of it. Mechanical engineering student Orobosa Aghahowa attended to network and to see how her skills could be incorporated into the various companies that she was able to visit through BEW 2024.
Britney Collier, a computer science major, said “This trip has given me more focus on what I want to do because I want to concentrate my efforts on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.” Britney received some great advice on how AI can potentially affect biases for people of color. “It’s been great making connections with individuals from companies such as AfforAI and Intuitive, so getting the mentorship and guidance has been amazing,” she added.
Christian Martin, a computer engineering major, commented, “It’s been great getting exposure to the industry, meeting people from the various companies, and finding out about different jobs so I can figure out what I want to do when I’m ready to seek employment.”
BEW attendees also visited: Cisco, Linkedin, and Nvidia. This was supplemented by some fun activities like golfing at the Spartan Golf Complex, hiking, and visits to the Tech Museum and the San Jose Museum of Art. The last stop the attendees made was at Stanford University’s Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, hosted by Ena Luis, Hao Lyu, Alam Mahmud, Costas Parkatzidis, Yuran Shi, and Chuanzhen Zhao. Attendees had the opportunity to create polymers and visit working labs in the facility.
Many thanks to Professor Folarin Erogbogbo, Founder and Organizing Chair of the event, for his leadership, and recent Biomedical graduate, Aretha Alcarez, for all her hard work. Follow the Black Engineer Week’s Instagram account to learn about next year’s event.
Disability Awareness Month
How Adversity Led to a Lifetime of Engineering and Invention – Medium
Image courtesy of Medium
In the world of engineering, Dr. Rory Cooper’s story stands out as a profound example of the union of necessity and innovation. As the visionary behind the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, a collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Cooper’s groundbreaking work in assistive technology has significantly enhanced countless lives, as he carved a path from U.S. Army veteran to a prominent bioengineer contributing to the transformative power of inclusive engineering.
At 20 years old, Dr. Cooper suffered a spinal cord injury during his military service, an event that changed his life’s direction. Deciding to pursue higher education, he recalled “Engineering seemed like a natural thing to do.” Witnessing the outdated state of wheelchairs, unchanged since World War II, he began designing his own. This hands-on experience, combined with his studies at California Polytechnic State University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, led him into the field of rehabilitation engineering, dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through technology.
Dr. Cooper’s innovations, such as the Ergonomic Dual Surface Wheelchair Push Rim and the Smart Wheel, have been transformative. These devices significantly reduce the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff injuries which affect almost 80% of wheelchair users. Thanks to his inventions, 60% of these injuries have been reduced, enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities.
One of his notable inventions is the variable compliance joystick with a compensation algorithm, a customizable tool enabling individuals with limited mobility to operate powered wheelchairs and participate in activities like powered soccer. “My inventions have never made me a lot of money, but I have been paid more in smiles and happy tears than most inventors ever have,” says Cooper.
Dr. Cooper’s path was challenging, to say the least, from financial constraints to the academic world’s initial focus on publishing over patenting inventions. However, a societal shift around 2010 toward valuing the impact of technology on a person’s life, opened new opportunities for him.
His personal experiences have deeply influenced his work. Cooper emphasizes the importance of listening to and collaborating with the community he serves. This cooperative approach is particularly evident in his work with veterans, who often provide crucial feedback as early adopters of new technologies.
Dr. Cooper is a passionate advocate for diversity in invention. He has spoken to Congress on this issue, highlighting how a lack of diversity can hinder innovation. “Increasing the number of women inventors and creating opportunities for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds would significantly enhance U.S. innovation,” he asserts. His very own journey illustrates the vital role of breaking down barriers and highlights the economic and creative benefits of inclusive practices.
To cultivate more inventors, especially from underrepresented groups, Cooper believes higher education must become more accessible and affordable. The focus should shift from financial gains to impactful changes, addressing the needs of diverse populations and increasing opportunities.
Dr. Cooper advises aspiring inventors to embrace tenacity, perseverance, and hard work. Building a diverse network and learning from others is essential. “Hard problems are hard for a reason,” he notes, encouraging inventors to tackle challenges and seek solutions that make a significant difference.
Dr. Rory Cooper’s work illustrates how engineering can break traditional boundaries to create life-enhancing solutions. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and relentless innovation. By raising awareness and fostering a more inclusive engineering community, we can ensure technology continues to empower and improve lives for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
As we celebrate pioneers like Dr. Cooper, let’s commit to a future where engineering and innovation will enable everyone to thrive beyond social norms.
July 11 Fun Fact History Events:
1934: Engelbert Zaschka of Germany flew his large manpower plane without assisted take-off at Berlin Tempelhof Airport.
1962: NASA announces its lunar orbit rendezvous plan to land astronauts on the moon and back on Earth.
1979: NASA’s Skylab, America’s first space station, crashed down to Earth with parts littering across populated areas in Western Australia.
2021: Richard Branson traveled to the edge of space on the Virgin Galactic Unity 22, making him the third oldest person to travel to space.
Patelco makes minor restorations; customers still left in the dark – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa
Patelco Credit Union, based in Dublin, experienced a cyber-attack causing a week-long customer lockdown, leaving many still unable to access accounts or perform basic banking operations. Despite assurances from CEO Erin Mendez that customer funds are secure and some functions are restored, frustrations remain high. The incident has led to lawsuits and concerns over data security. Watch the full interview to see what Professor Banafa had to say about the incident.