From June 11–13, members of the MSEE community gathered in Baltimore, Maryland for this year’s MSEE URA Annual Technical Review (ATR). Over 110 in-person and 26 virtual attendees participated in technical discussions, poster sessions, and networking events to discuss MSEE’s progress and accomplishments over the past 12 months.

The bulk of the review consisted of 41 technical presentations given by MSEE’s research area leads, principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. Following each presentation, attendees (both virtually and in-person) were encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback. This year, it was particularly great to see the input from MSEE’s Research Management Board, Science Advisory Board, and members of the Government and Corporate Affiliates Program offered valuable insights in response to each technical presentation.

MG Randy Manner, U.S. Army ret. speaking with MSEE students & postdocs.

The first day of the ATR concluded with two concurrent events: a networking session for all attendees, and the kick-off of a new career development seminar series for graduate students and postdocs. This career development series is hosted by retired Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, former acting director and deputy director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). During this event, Manner met with 21 students and postdocs to provide guidance as they navigate their future research careers.

At the end of the second day, MSEE students and postdocs participated in a poster session followed by a banquet dinner. Of the 41 posters present, four received best poster awards. Megan Bokhoor (JHU), Kaitlyn McKenzie (UIUC), Tristan Kenny (SDM), and Sohanjit Ghosh (JHU) were presented with prize checks by Col. Cory Lane, U.S. Air Force and DTRA’s Deputy Director of RD.

From left to right: Col. Cory Lane, Megan Bokhoor, Sohanjit Ghosh, Kaitlyn McKenzie, Tristan Kenny.

The 2024 Annual Technical Review featured several remarks from guest speakers. Ben Petro, Director of Research and Development of DTRA, and Ed Schlesinger, Benjamin T. Rome Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering, kicked off the review with opening remarks. During the banquet dinner, Sarah Herman, Program Manager of JH APL’s Research and Exploratory Development Department, presenter her departments work on biomanufacturing and biotechnology for defense applications.