Biography: Mr. P. Len Orlando III is a Senior Business Development Executive at Ansys, within the Ansys Government Initiatives (AGI) business unit. He joined Ansys in January 2023 to lead semiconductor efforts focused on the Federal, Aerospace, and Defense marketplace. Prior to joining Ansys, Mr. Orlando served 21 years as a Senior Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University and an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton. His career spans several diverse areas, including trust and assurance, RF MMIC and AMS design, EDA infrastructure, and scalable cloud deployment.
This panel brings together leading experts from industry and top academic institutions in the U.S. specializing in assured and trusted systems. The discussion will focus on the critical challenges and advancements in assured and trusted microelectronics, IoT security, and side-channel analysis, emphasizing their role in developing secure and high-performance software/hardware co-design solutions. Panelists will explore ASIC and AI-driven co-design architectures, heterogeneous system integration, reconfigurable computing, and mixed-signal security, addressing emerging vulnerabilities in modern embedded systems. Additionally, the panel will highlight strategies for mitigating side-channel threats and enhancing system confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ensuring resilience in microelectronics. Experts will also examine key design trade-offs, power efficiency, and real-time constraints, providing insights into the future of co-optimized hardware/software security solutions.
Biography: Dr. Khalil is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University and Associate Director of the ElectroScience Laboratory. He founded the Circuit Laboratory for Advanced Sensors and Systems (CLASS) and co-leads the CYAN Center of Excellence. Before joining OSU, he spent 16 years at Intel in wireless and wireline communications. His research focuses on integrated circuits, hardware security, and heterogeneous chip integration. He holds 19 patents, has published over 120 papers, and is an IEEE Senior Member, currently serving as Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE RFIC Virtual Journal.
Biography: Dr. Ott is a technical director at AFIT, where he specializes in microelectronics counterfeit detection, supply chain assurance, and trusted verification methodologies. He has led critical hardware/software co-design research and system integration solutions that ensure security in IoT and connected systems. His expertise in system-level integration and cross-disciplinary collaboration will provide valuable insights into the future of secure, high-performance technology development.
Biography: Dr. Matthew Areno is the CEO and co-owner of Rickert-Areno Engineering and Consulting. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Utah State University in 2007 and began his career at Sandia National Laboratories, focusing on vulnerability assessment and reverse engineering of embedded systems using ARM-core processors. He also earned a PhD from the University of New Mexico, where his dissertation explored enhancing embedded system security with PUF-enhanced cryptographic units. Dr. Areno then joined Raytheon Cyber Security Innovations as Chief Architect, specializing in anti-tamper solutions and establishing trust in Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment. In 2019, he moved to Intel, where he held roles such as Senior Director of Security Assurance and Cryptography, Chief Security Architect, and Anti-Tamper Lead. He serves on the Board of Advisors for Augusta University School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, as co-chair of the Secure Edge Working Group under the Midwest ME-Commons Consortium, and on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Hardware and Systems Security.
Biography: Aaron Miller is the Strategy and Technology Transition Leader at Galois, specializing in secure systems, systems engineering, and digital transformation with a software focus. He co-founded two startups—Tangram Flex, a component-oriented engineering company, and Niobium Microsystems, a silicon design company specializing in high-assurance cryptographic and model-based designs. With a background in systems engineering and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton, Aaron is dedicated to advancing methodologies for building high-quality, cost-effective systems. At Galois, he collaborates with leading researchers worldwide to identify, develop, and transition cutting-edge technologies that enhance the security and reliability of software and cyber-physical systems. His expertise bridges research, industry, and government, driving innovation in hardware/software co-design and system trustworthiness.
Biography: Dr. John Hoag is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Akron. He holds a Ph.D. in Integrated Systems Engineering and an M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University, as well as a B.S. in Computer Science from The University of Akron. Dr. Hoag has served as a faculty at Ohio University and as a professor and department chair at a private college in Virginia. He was also a center director at OSU. In addition to his active research agenda, Dr. Hoag contributes to several state advisory panels and is a Senior Member of the IEEE.
The Cybersecurity and Microelectronics Workforce Development Panel aims to address the growing need for a skilled workforce in cybersecurity and microelectronics in the US, particularly in state of Ohio, AF, defense, academic, government, and industry sectors. The panel will explore strategies to strengthen and diversify the talent pipeline through collaborations between government, academia, and industry, focusing on developing resilient and qualified professionals. Key discussions will cover workforce development initiatives, the importance of training programs, and the creation of sustainable partnerships to meet the evolving demands of microelectronics and cybersecurity in critical applications.
Biography: Kirk Herath is the Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, as well as Chairman of CyberOhio. He leads efforts to strengthen the state's cybersecurity, support local governments in cyber preparedness, and develop a modern cyber workforce. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Ohio State’s Moritz School of Law and Cleveland State’s Cleveland-Marshall Law School. Previously, he spent 32 years at Nationwide as VP, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Privacy Officer. He is a past president of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and served on the DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (2005–2011). He is admitted to the Ohio Bar.
Biography:Karen Manzo is the Executive Vice President of Development at SOCHE (Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education), where she has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission to enhance workforce development and educational initiatives across Ohio. With a background in STEM leadership and program management, Karen has led workforce pipeline initiatives, designed high-tech skill programs, and developed experiential learning opportunities for students. Her efforts have contributed to strengthening Ohio's educational framework and creating valuable industry partnerships. Prior to her role at SOCHE, Karen held technical leadership positions at CSG Systems, AT&T, and PNC Bank. She is an active member of several boards, including the Wright Brothers Institute and Roads to Recovery Boards. Originally from Beavercreek, Ohio, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs.
Biography: Hayley Atwater is currently serving as the Microelectronics Commons Development Subject Matter Expert at the Office of the Under Secretary for Defense for Research and Engineering, a role she has held since October 2023. In this position, Hayley is responsible for shaping and implementing initiatives that aim to develop a resilient and diverse workforce to meet the growing demands of the microelectronics and semiconductor industries, with a particular focus on defense applications. With a background as a Materials Engineer with the US Army since 2018, Hayley brings valuable experience in both engineering and workforce development. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at Alfred University and completed an internship with the US Army in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Material Science Engineering from Alfred University, where she was involved in extracurricular activities such as the Karamo’s Honors Fraternity and the Women's Lacrosse Team.
Biography: Jessica Falcon is the Director of Workforce Development for the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), leading partnerships among industry, government, and academia to build a sustainable workforce. With a passion for workforce development, she drives awareness and implementation of MMEC initiatives, helping partners cultivate a strong and diverse talent pipeline. Jessica began her career in federal service in 2009 while earning her B.A. in Psychology, later joining the Air Force Research Lab as a testing technician. She advanced to Lead Instructional Systems Developer and Chief of Standards and Evaluations, overseeing curriculum development for programs training 6,000 students annually. With 14 years of experience supporting military and civilian trainees, she is a dedicated educator and leader. Jessica holds an M.S. and Ed.D. in Education and is committed to fostering collaboration and innovation to shape MMEC’s future workforce.
Biography: Mr. Kevin McCamey is Senior Program Manager for Trusted Microelectronics at the Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Trusted Microelectronics program is a diverse portfolio focused on the development and validation of integrated components for
assured design, verification, trusted packaging, and reliability to meet mission requirements of the Air Force and Space Force.
Mr. McCamey previously served as Deputy Division Chief for the Advanced Programs Division of the Sensors Directorate,
leading efforts in Combat Identification, multi-mode sensor development, and rapid technology demonstrations.
He has held technical leadership, program management, and supervisory positions in both AFRL and private industry, including program manager for software development
on the Space Based Infrared System and lead for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) mission consolidation for the Sensors Directorate.
Mr. McCamey holds a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering, an MBA from the University of Dayton, and an MS in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.
The AF/Industry Trusted and Assured Microelectronics Panel will explore critical challenges and advancements in securing microelectronics
for defense and commercial applications. As microelectronics form the backbone of modern military and aerospace systems, ensuring their trust, integrity, and resilience is paramount.
This panel brings together leading experts from government, industry, and research institutions to discuss strategies for:
(1)Ensuring trusted and assured microelectronics for mission-critical applications.
(2)Addressing vulnerabilities in the supply chain and lifecycle management.
(3)Advances in secure design, verification, validation, and packaging.
(4)The role of autonomous systems, AI, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in microelectronics security.
(5)Industry’s role in supporting hardware security, embedded system trust, and cyber resilience.
Biography: Edmund Zelnio is currently the director of the Autonomy Technology Research Center in AFRL, a Sensors Directorate summer intern program. Ed’s 49-year career with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) includes numerous technical and leadership roles in automated exploitation of imaging sensors, primarily addressing synthetic aperture radar. He is a former division chief and technical advisor of the Automatic Target Recognition Division of the Sensors Directorate in AFRL and has served in an advisory capacity to the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. He has served as the chair of the SPIE Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery conference for the past 29 years. He is the recipient of the 53rd Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award and is an AFRL Fellow. Ed a BS in Electrical Engineering from Bradley University and post-graduate doctoral studies at The Ohio State University in electromagnetics and Wright State University in signal processing
Biography: Chris Bozada serves as the Principal Integrator for AFRL’s Sensors Directorate’s Aerospace Components and Subsystems Division. He ensures the division technology program appropriately invests in enabling electronics / optoelectronics materials and devices and RF/EO subsystems for sensing, electronic warfare and communications across the electromagnetic spectrum. The division is the Sensors Directorate’s lead for trusted and assured electronics for supply chain, sustainment and access to the measurably secure electronics. Chris has a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton, a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. Chris is also an AFRL Fellow.
Biography: Dr. Simon is a member of a small team of hardware security experts on Amazon focusing on the security of consumer devices and services. He also coordinated Amazon joining the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) for the Center for Hardware and Embedded Systems Security and Trust (CHEST) consortium. Prior to joining Amazon in 2022, Dr. Simon worked for several government contractors in and around AFIT and AFRL performing cyber vulnerability assessments of weapon systems, micro-electronics trust and assurance validation and research, and various other research to include reverse engineering, hardware system design, and cyber security of embedded devices. Dr. Simon received his bachelor’s (1997) and masters (2011) degrees in electrical engineering from University of Dayton, and received his PhD in electrical engineering from A
Biography: Jarod Patto Principal Integrator, Aerospace Components and Subsystems Division Chris Bozada serves as the Principal Integrator for AFRL’s Sensors Directorate’s Aerospace Components and Subsystems Division. He ensures the division technology program appropriately invests in enabling electronics / optoelectronics materials and devices and RF/EO subsystems for sensing, electronic warfare and communications across the electromagnetic spectrum. The division is the Sensors Directorate’s lead for trusted and assured electronics for supply chain, sustainment and access to the measurably secure electronics. Chris has a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton, a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. Chris is also an AFRL Fellow.
Biography: Steven Bibyks research interests include, trust and assurance of secure electronic systems, rapid prototyping of embedded systems, reincarnating art and technology pieces for education of innovation and inventing. His teaching interests are all types of electronics and embedded systems, informal learning in prototyping activities such as student projects, competitions, and maker contests. While at The Ohio State University, Dr. Bibyk has also worked in the following positions: (1) National Research Council Fellow, Summer Faculty at Air Force Research Labs, (2) Research Scientist, Space Electronics Division, NASA Glenn Research Center and the Ohio Aerospace Inst. (3) Senior Scientist for the Micrys Corp., Columbus Ohio, (4) Extensive consulting with government and industry design groups in setting up integrated circuit design facilities, (5) STEP Faculty Mentor for the STEPmaker program.
This panel will highlight the contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in microelectronics and related fields, emphasizing their partnerships with non-HBCUs and industry with key discussion topics including: 1) HBCU Research Excellence in Microelectronics: Showcasing cutting-edge research projects led by HBCUs, focusing on innovation in microelectronics, semiconductors, nanoengineering and materials science. 2) Cross-Disciplinary Collaborative Initiatives and Industry Partnerships: Exploring successful collaborations between HBCUs, non-HBCUs, and industry partners that drive innovation and offer practical opportunities for student engagement in STEM research and internships, while including the underrepresented minorities and females to ensure equity in future workforce preparation. 3) Advancing Diversity in Technology Fields: Discussing HBCU contributions in expanding diversity within STEM, including pathways that prepare underrepresented students for careers in microelectronics, computer engineering, and data science
Biography: Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh is an Associate Professor of Physics at Central State University (CSU) in Wilberforce, Ohio. He earned his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Tehran in 2008. Before joining CSU, he held postdoctoral research positions at São Paulo State University and Ohio University, where he is currently an Adjunct Professor. Dr. Hadizadeh's research focuses on theoretical and computational physics, particularly few-body systems, relativistic descriptions, and applications in two-dimensional semiconductor materials. He has been recognized with several awards, including the CSU President’s Award for outstanding success in securing external grants and the Faculty Excellence in Research Award. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple scientific journals and is a member of professional organizations such as the American Physical Society.
Biography: Dr. Michael L. Curry is a Professor in the Department of Nanoengineering at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN), a collaborative institution between North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research focuses on the extraction, modification, and application of nanocellulose to develop biodegradable materials aimed at replacing synthetic polymers, thereby mitigating environmental impacts. His lab has developed several breakthrough methods for processing and applying nanocellulose as fillers in polymer composites, leading to several patented technologies. Dr. Curry's contributions to STEM education and diversity have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2021 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) HBCU Pioneer Award. He continues to mentor the next generation of scientists, aiming to increase the number of highly trained minority professionals within STEM and entrepreneurship pipelines
Biography: Dr. Suxia Cui is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2003. Her research focuses on image processing, computer vision, machine learning, and cybersecurity, supported by NSF, DoD, and USDA. She has received multiple teaching and service awards at PVAMU. Dr. Cui led a $1.25M Apple HBCU Partnership Grant and was an XSEDE Campus Champion Fellow. She collaborated with Texas A&M University and the Air Force Research Laboratory on cybersecurity research. Her work advances electrical and computer engineering through research, grants, and mentorship, strengthening PVAMU’s contributions to STEM fields.
Biography: Dr. Daniel Vrinceanu is a Professor of Physics and Interim Associate Dean for Research and Outreach at Texas Southern University (TSU). He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed a fellowship at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. His research interests include atomic and molecular physics, computational physics, and the theoretical foundations of deep learning and artificial intelligence. Dr. Vrinceanu has been instrumental in developing TSU's atmospheric science program, securing a three-year grant under the U.S. Department of Energy's Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative. This program offers TSU students experiential training and mentoring in atmospheric sciences.
