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IEEE Boston Section Leadership Team
Karen Panetta, Chair
Karen received the B.S. degree in computer engineering from Boston University, Boston, MA, USA, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston. She is currently the Dean of graduate engineering education and a Professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. She also holds secondary appointments in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering and a Visiting Faculty appointment in the Tufts School of Dental Medicine. She is the Director of the Panetta Vision and Sensing System Laboratory.
Her research interests include developing efficient algorithms for Artificial Intelligence, simulation, modeling, signal, and image processing for biomedical, security and conservation applications. She was a recipient of the 2023 IEEE-HKN Asad M. Madni award for Outstanding Technical Leadership and Excellence, the 2012 IEEE Ethical Practices Award and the Harriet B. Rigas Award for Outstanding Educator. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Award for Engineering and Science Education and Mentoring by U.S. President Obama for her Nerd Girls Program to empower young women in STEM. She was the Vice President of the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society. Karen was the 2019 President of IEEE-HKN (Eta Kappa Nu) honor society and 2021- 2022 IEEE Awards Board Chair. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine. She was the IEEE-USA Vice-President of communications and public affairs and
Vice-President of the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society. From 2007 to 2009, she served as the Worldwide Director for the IEEE Women in Engineering, overseeing the world’s largest professional organization supporting women in engineering and science. She is the editor-in-chief of the award-winning IEEE WIE Magazine and co-author of the book, “Count Girls In.” Karen is the CEO and Co-founder of Tessera Intelligence Inc. and Co-inventor of the first Digital Twin. She is a Fellow of NAI, IEEE, AAIA, NASA JOVE and AAAS and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Her passion is utilizing her engineering knowledge for the benefit of humanity. Karen has advised world leaders and led humanitarian projects around the globe to change lives, help communities thrive and to protect the environment.
Ramon De la Cruz, Vice Chair
Ramon De la Cruz has more than 25 years in the semiconductor equipment industry as test development and process technical lead, design engineer, subject matter expert and consulting roles.
An IEEE Senior member and member of the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society serves on the IEEE Boston Section as Vice chair and IEEE Boston Section MD Committee co-chair and has served as Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-large among other leadership positions.
Ramon serves on the ESDA Northeast Board of Directors and has served on the IEEE Boston Reliability chapter as Chair, Vice chair and Member-at-large.
He is currently at Teradyne, Inc. New Product Introduction Group (NPI), where he participates in operations strategy workgroups to define processes and methods supporting next-generation system and instrumentation development for current and future Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Platforms.
Ramon holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. His background includes Design for Testability, Process FMEA, Systems and Circuit Analysis, Risk Assessment, and Highly Accelerated Stress Testing.
Wigna Balasingham, Treasurer
Wig is an accomplished Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Electromagnetic Environmental Engineering (E3) at Raytheon, with over 30 years of experience dedicated to ensuring systems’ operational reliability. His expertise encompasses electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electromagnetic interference (EMI) prevention, and shielding systems from challenges such as electromagnetic pulses (EMP), electromagnetic vulnerability (EMV), and lightning strikes.
Prior to his tenure at Raytheon, Wigna held pivotal roles, including Member of the Technical Staff at General Dynamics Canada Limited in Alberta, Canada, and contributing 19 transformative years at Sun Microsystems/Oracle. As a highly skilled EMI/EMC Engineer, he specializes in strategic design improvements and innovative noise reduction solutions.
In addition to his technical expertise, Wigna actively contributes to the professional community as Secretary of the IEEE EMC Society Boston Chapter, fostering collaboration and professional growth through seminars and events.
Wigna holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) with a major in Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, and an MBA from Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts (MA). He is also a proud member of Sigma Beta Delta, exemplifying his commitment to excellence and collaboration in the engineering field.
highly skilled EMI/EMC
Maira Marques Samary, Past Chair
Maira is currently an Assistant Professor at Boston College, where she teaches CS1, CS2, SE and CS Principles.
Her research interests include computer science education, collaborative work and software engineering education. She received an MS and PhD in computer science from the University of Chile, and an M.Ed. from Boston College.
Maira is the Past Chair of the IEEE Boston Section and has served as the Chair of IEEE Boston’s Women in Engineering (WIE) since 2019. You can also find Maira running to support Dana Farber in the Boston Marathon.
Fernando Rebolledo, Student Activities Co-Chair
Fernando studied Electrical Engineering in Veracruz, Mexico at the University of Veracruz, he graduated with Honors. With a Fulbright Scholarship he obtained his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University focused on Microtechnologies and MEMS devices. Currently, he is a Process Engineer / Material Scientist for Applied Materials Inc. He is always excited to talk and encourage the next generation of STEM students, just like they did with him.
Gil Cooke, IEEE Milestones Chair
Gil is currently registered as Professional Engineer in Massachusetts and California. Before his retirement in 2001, he worked as project engineer for large engineering firms in California and Massachusetts, responsible for system designs, construction, and startup operations on numerous industrial and power generating facilities. Since retirement, he’s becoming passionate about the history of technology in New England. Gil is a collector of old engineering books, trade catalogs, electric meters, and electrical artifacts. Currently, Gil is working on the biography of Fred Stark Pearson, an eminent but unknown global engineer.
Gil is a member of IEEE Boston Section’s Executive Committee and was appointed Chair of the Boston Section History and Milestone Committee several years ago. In that capacity, he’s been responsible for research, nomination, and recognition of four electrical engineering milestones awarded by the IEEE Center of History. He’s advocated for additional milestones which are currently in process of receiving high awards later this year and during 2012. Furthermore, each year, he participates on a committee to help organize National Engineers Week in Boston. Gil is a Senior Life Member of the IEEE. He belongs
to other historical non-profit groups on Cape Cod and New England.
Trina Lorigan, Business Manager
Trina has spent her career managing finances, marketing and events in multiple industries including education, media and technology. She joined the Boston Section as Business Manager in May of 2024.
She holds a business degree from the University of California, Berkeley and enjoys the outdoors, art, books, music, food and animals. Join her in a Zoom meeting and you might meet a cat or two.