ElevateME

Most recently, Tom has led a merger between ASME and Techstreet to foster opportunities for ASME to incubate new industry events into revenue generating engines.

Also under his leadership, ASME announced a new subsidiary, Metrix Connect LLC, to accelerate digital transformation in engineering for a variety of industries.

Tom is a licensed professional mechanical engineer and began his career in the nuclear power industry before serving as senior vice president of operations for SONY Music where he led the development of the company’s compact disc and distribution operations.

He earned his MBA with honors in Finance from Long Island University and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College.

Speaker
Susan Ipri-Brown
President
ASME

Biography: Susan Ipri-Brown is the 143rd president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and is serving the 2024-2025 term of office. She is a Fellow of ASME, has served on the ASME Board of Governors, and has been an active member of the Society for 34 years, which includes her years as a student member. Ms. Ipri-Brown is a Strategic Partnership Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM), which also serves as the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office for Manufacturing USA. Prior to joining OAM, Ipri-Brown served as the Associate Dean for Educational Outreach, as founding director of the ExploreHope Academic Outreach Office, and as an associate professor of Engineering Instruction at Hope College. She also served as associate director of the STEM Education Partnerships at Northwestern University, where she directed teacher professional development programs, grant writing, and new program development.

Ipri-Brown actively encourages the next generation of engineers through STEM programs for area Scout councils along with devoting time as a coach and judge for FIRST robotics programs. Within her work and community, she has been a long-time advocate of programs that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Ipri-Brown earned her master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University.

Monday: Empowerment Day

12:15-1:15pm: Conference Lunchtime
While observing dining etiquette, enjoy your meal and network with peers and potential collaborators at reserved tables during lunchtime.

2:00-4:00pm: Undergraduate Student Posters Set-up
Witness the creativity and ingenuity of undergraduate students as they showcase their research and projects through poster presentations.

2:30-3:30pm: Fundamentals of Engineering/Soft Skills Session
Sharpen your professional toolkit with valuable insights into essential soft skills crucial for success in the field of mechanical engineering.

Speaker
Chris Depcik
IMECE Steering Committee Senate Chair
University of Kansas

Biography: Dr. Christopher Depcik is an American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fellow and Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Kansas (KU). In addition, he has a Courtesy Appointment in the Aerospace Engineering Department. Prior to joining KU, he worked at the University of Michigan (UM) as a post-doctoral research fellow and lecturer. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UM (2003), as well as an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (2002), and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1999). He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida (1997). Dr. Depcik's laboratory conducts research revolving around a sustainable approach to energy and the transportation infrastructure. Dr. Depcik has received numerous departmental, school, university, national, and international awards for his service, research, and teaching efforts. Dr. Depcik is an exceptional communicator as illustrated by his many invited national and international talks including a TEDx presentation. His most recent research passion is the simulation of whisk(e)y, rum, and tequila maturation using a novel simulation tool.

4:30-6:15pm: Undergraduate Student Posters – Students stand at Posters
Engage directly with undergraduate students as they stand by their posters, ready to discuss their innovative projects and research findings.

5:30-7:00pm: Opening Reception
Unwind and mingle with fellow attendees at our lively opening reception, the perfect opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones.

7:15-10:00pm: Meet-up and Networking at Grand Central Bowl & Arcade Extend the networking opportunities into the evening at our casual meet-up reception, where you can relax and connect with industry peers in a more informal setting.

Tuesday: Exploring Innovation – Future of ME

10:45am-11:45am "I Code Like a Girl”: Adding the U to #Uniquecareerpaths!
Are you curious about exploring alternative career paths in tech but unsure where to begin? Do you want to leverage your transferable skills to pivot into a career that aligns with your passions and values? Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring individuals who have forged their own paths in data and AI.

1:30-3:00 pm Rising Stars of ME
The ASME Rising Stars of Mechanical Engineering Celebration and Showcase at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) is a prestigious event designed to honor early-career researchers who have received recognition through NSF CAREER, ONR YIP, AFOSR YIP, DARPA YFA, and NIH New Innovator Awards. This reception-style celebration will take place on Tuesday, November 18 and commences with a brief introduction, followed by a poster session during which Principal Investigators (PIs) are invited to present their innovative work. Subsequently, a networking period allows PIs to connect with their peers and other professionals in the field.

3:00-4:00pm: Launch Your Career: Transitioning from Academia to Industry - AI Implementation in Industry
Stepping into your first job after school is a big transition. This dynamic panel is here to supercharge your journey, offering students, early career engineers, and anyone eager to navigate the professional world, with actionable advice and insider tips on making the leap from academia to industry. View more information here.