![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/speaker-Danielle-Wood-ML-space-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nProfessor Danielle Wood is an Associate Professor in the Program in Media Arts & Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Wood serves at MIT as the Faculty Lead for African and African Diaspora Studies. Within the Media Lab, Prof. Wood is the founding director of the Space Enabled Research Group which seeks to advance justice in Earth’s complex systems using designs enabled by space. The research of Space Enabled designs systems that use tools from space to promote sustainability on Earth and seeks equity and accessibility for technology used in Space.
Prof. Wood’s background includes satellite design, earth science applications, systems engineering, and technology policy.\u202f Prior to serving as faculty at MIT, Professor Wood held positions at NASA Headquarters, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Aerospace Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs. Professor Wood studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a PhD in engineering systems, SM in aeronautics and astronautics, SM in technology policy, and SB in aerospace engineering. Professor Wood is a full member of the International Academy of Astronautics. In this role, Prof Wood co-chairs the IAA Space Traffic Management Committee and is a co-editor for the space journal\u202fActa Astronautica.\u202fProfessor Wood has served multiple times as a Private Sector Advisor to the U.S. Delegation for the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Prof Wood has been honored with the National Science Foundation’s CAREER grant, selection as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst and induction into the Black Women’s Executive Leadership Fellowship.<\/p>\n
Michelle Stallard\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Michelle Stallard (Voelker) is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Industrial Engineering at Iowa State University and works part time in industry focusing on continuous improvement, facilitation, and leadership. Prior to graduating from Iowa State University with her degree in Industrial Engineering (BS ’15, MS ’16) with a Technical Sales Minor, Michelle gained leadership experiences through the organizations such as the ISUCF””V””MB, Honors Program, Engineers’ Week, and NSCS; she also started her engineering journey through internships at Whirlpool, SpaceX, Procter & Gamble, and Rolls-Royce. Upon graduation, she gained experience through the Operations Leadership Graduate Rotational Program at Rolls-Royce, which gave her breadth in the organization and the opportunity to lead people early on in her career. These opportunities set the foundation for follow-on leadership roles in manufacturing operations, logistics, and planning. In her free time, Michelle enjoys volunteering at the animal shelter, painting, and visiting National Parks.<\/p>\n James Afful<\/strong><\/p>\n James Afful is a doctoral researcher in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University, where he leverages computational fluid dynamics, high-performance computing, and machine learning to design healthier and more sustainable indoor environments. His work spans NSF-funded initiatives and state-level projects that translate cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Beyond the lab, James is a committed engineering leader and community builder. He has advanced global development projects through Engineers Without Borders, championed inclusive STEM education in Ghana and the U.S., and contributes to professional organizations including NSBE, ASME, and SIAM. With a vision to engineer solutions that improve both technology and society, James represents the next generation of leaders shaping the future of engineering<\/p>\n Dr. Emmanuel Agba<\/strong> Dr. Agba is a design and manufacturing professional with extensive experience in the automotive and plastics industry, including several years holding executive positions in manufacturing, and several years in teaching, research and consulting as a lead professor of mechanical systems design. Dr. Agba has experience in metal additive manufacturing, food processing technology, industrial automation, robotics, product lifecycle management, CAD\/CAM\/CAE, traceability, supplier integration, design and manufacturing collaboration, technical training, and plastics production. His record of implementing new technologies for process improvement and cost reduction is impressive. Dr. Agba is Six Sigma certified, dedicated, committed and resourceful with strong interpersonal relationship building, as well as verbal and written communications skills. He takes pride in thinking out-of-the-box and using six sigma methods.<\/p>\n Timilehin Ayanlade<\/strong><\/p>\n Timilehin Ayanlade is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University, where he develops machine learning and computer vision methods for cyberphysical systems. His work spans multimodal data integration, crop monitoring, and yield prediction, with emphasis on building foundation models for agriculture. He is also part of the organizing committee for the International Workshop on Machine Learning for Cyber-Agricultural Systems. Beyond research, Timilehin has led projects applying AI tools in agricultural settings and has served in leadership roles with multiple international organizations, where he advanced professional development, community engagement, and broader societal impact.<\/p>\n Luke Broglio<\/strong><\/p>\n Luke Broglio is an Iowa State class of 2025 graduate with a strong passion for technology and programming. While at Iowa State he studied Software Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity.Professionally Luke completed two internships with the National Information Solutions Cooperative as a Software Development intern on the Application Security team. During his senior year he was a teaching assistant for the Introduction to Computer Graphics course at Iowa State. Currently he works as a Systems Developer at Federated Insurance. In addition to his professional and academic pursuits during his time at Iowa State Luke was also involved in Emerging Leaders in Engineering (ELE) where he served on the leadership team first as treasurer for two years and then as president for his senior year. He also worked on the Engineering Leaders of Tomorrow (ELT) conference team, where he was the Programming Chair. As a part of his role as ELE president Luke also worked with the Engineering Student Council to plan events for Iowa State Engineering students.<\/p>\n Olivia Cramer<\/strong><\/p>\n “Olivia \u201cLiv\u201d Cramer is a senior pursuing degrees in Applied Mathematics and Industrial Engineering. She has completed internships with Pella Corporation, Oskaloosa Engineering and Manufacturing, and Collins Aerospace, gaining experience in operations, process improvement, and engineering leadership.<\/p>\n Born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) and a missing fibula, Liv has navigated life with a prosthetic leg \u2014 an experience that has shaped her resilience, problem-solving mindset, and approach to leadership. Outside of work and school, she is an athlete in the Paralympic pipeline for sitting volleyball and an active member of the disability community, perspectives that, while separate from her academics and career, are deeply ingrained in everything she does.<\/p>\n Through engineering, athletics, and advocacy, Liv demonstrates that true leadership comes from perseverance, empathy, and the courage to innovate.”<\/p>\n Louis Currier<\/strong><\/p>\n Louie Currier loves helping students and young professionals discover their path and feel confident about their next steps. From his time recruiting early career talent at Pella Corporation to his current role supporting development programs at Holmes Murphy, Louie has spent his career connecting people with opportunities and encouraging them to grow into their full potential. He\u2019s passionate about building relationships, sharing honest advice, and reminding future engineers and leaders that every career starts with a first step and that it\u2019s okay to learn as you go.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jacob Heeren<\/strong><\/p>\n Since joining Collins Aerospace, Jacob has played a key role in advancing data governance initiatives and implementing analytics solutions that strengthen data integrity and accessibility. His background spans data quality analysis, communication, and applied statistical modeling\u2014skills he continues to apply in support of Collins\u2019 mission to redefine aerospace innovation through digital transformation.<\/p>\n Before his current position, Jacob served as a Data Quality Analyst and Data Governance Intern at Collins Aerospace, where he helped develop frameworks for consistent, reliable data use across business functions. Prior to his work in aerospace, he gained diverse experience as an audio engineer, studio manager, and undergraduate research assistant, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving and technical creativity.<\/p>\n Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics as well as a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology, both from Iowa State University<\/p>\n Kechi Igwe<\/strong><\/p>\n Kechi Igwe is an enhancement engineer at Lennox International, specializing in design solutions for residential home comfort products. She has a bachelor\u2019s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, where she graduated in the fall of 2023. During her time at ISU, she was active on campus, serving as the events chair of Society of International Engineers, a member of the ELT planning committee, and a manufacturing lab technician. In her free time, Kechi enjoys cooking and watching women\u2019s basketball.<\/p>\n Dr. Ryan Lott<\/strong><\/p>\n I am a Principal Data Scientist for John Deere Financial. My areas of expertise involve applied statistics. I have an undergraduate degree from Iowa State in Psychology and a Master’s\/PhD from Iowa State in Human Development and Family Studies (Focus on Quantitative Psychology). I also have a post-doctoral fellowship from Auburn University (in Biopsychology). I’m a massive nerd and you should come geek out with me.<\/p>\n Kellie Olson<\/strong><\/p>\n Kellie is an Iowa State alum. She started her career with Engineering Career Services right after graduation and has now been there for over 10 years in various roles. In her current role as Director, she has the opportunity to lead a great team and work 1-on-1 with many students. She is passionate about helping students improve their career development skills and learn how to effectively market themselves to potential employers. Kellie has worked with hundreds of engineering employers on their recruiting efforts during her career, and likes to pass along knowledge to students on how to best connect with them.<\/p>\n Nate Pinto<\/strong><\/p>\n Nate Pinto is an Industrial Engineering student at Iowa State University who is passionate about people, leadership, and continuous improvement. He has held internships with Garmin, Pella, and Kiewit; opportunities he attributes to the power of building strong relationships and genuine conversations with recruiters. At Iowa State, Nate serves as President of Alpha Pi Mu, the Industrial Engineering honors society, and founded the Kata Advancement Network, a student organization dedicated to personal growth and problem-solving. He also leads with The Salt Company campus ministry, mentoring students and building community. Known for being approachable and easy to talk to, Nate combines industry experience, leadership, and relational strengths to help others build meaningful connections and positive interactions that last.<\/p>\n Leslie Potter<\/strong><\/p>\n ISU College of Engineering Distinguished Teaching Professor Leslie Potter has led through stewardship for many decades. Her work and life philosophies prioritize people in the equation for success. Potter\u2019s work history started as a farmhand in the early \u201870s and progressed to industrial engineering co-op student with 3M in the late \u201880\u2019s. She began her IE career at John Deere Waterloo Works in engineering and supervision, where she worked from \u201991-\u201998. These experiences shaped her philosophies and have informed her 25 years of teaching at Iowa State University, in a range of courses from first-year programming to capstone.<\/p>\n Jim Shirbroun<\/strong><\/p>\n Jim Shirbroun is rather ashamed to admit he once said, “If I can do it, it’s not art”. Then, through a serpentine series of events, he stumbled into Steam Punk. He has designed and built a wide-ranging collection of items including prop weapons, clocks, lamps…and a temporal transmogrifying device…in his ‘bunker lab’ in a secure, undisclosed location in Ames. He is a retired United Methodist Pastor, spouse of one, parent of 3 and grandparent of five.<\/p>\n Dr. Svitlana Zbarska<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Svitlana Zbarska is the Director of Graduate Career Services at Iowa State University, where she leads strategic initiatives to support graduate students in career development, industry exploration, and professional readiness. She oversees a team of Graduate Career Coaches, develops and delivers career training programs, and collaborates with university partners and employers to enhance graduate student career outcomes. Dr. Zbarska also leads the Career Exploration Program for PhDs, a signature initiative that helps doctoral students identify and pursue career paths in industry. Keynote Speakers Danielle Wood Professor Danielle Wood is an Associate Professor in the Program in Media Arts & Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Wood serves at MIT as the Faculty Lead for African and African Diaspora Studies. Within the Media […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3139,"featured_media":0,"parent":1605,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2298","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/Pbh10d-B4","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2298"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2597,"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2298\/revisions\/2597"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Stallard-Headshot-Michelle-Stallard.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSession Speakers<\/u><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Job-Fair-Headshots-Feb-2024-46-James-Afful-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Emmanuel-Agba-potrait-april252024-Emmanuel-Agba-222x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Timilehin_Ayanlade-Timilehin-Ayanlade.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/LukeBroglioHeadshot-Luke-Broglio-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-25-140747-Olivia-Cramer.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/10\/Headshot-Louie-Currier.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/10\/Jacob-Heeren.jpg\")
<\/strong>Jacob Heeren is a Principal Specialist in Data Science and Analytics within the Digital Technology organization at Collins Aerospace (RTX). In his role, Jacob leverages data-driven insights to enhance decision-making, optimize digital systems, and improve data quality across the enterprise.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Headshot_Kechi_Igwe-Copy-RN-Igwe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/IMG_2884-Ryan-Lott-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Headshot-Kellie-Olson.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/10\/Headshot-Nate-Pinto-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/09\/Potter-Leslie-Potter.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/10\/Jim-Shirbroun.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/elt\/files\/2025\/10\/Svitlana-Zbarska-cropped.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
From 2016 to 2024, Dr. Zbarska served as the campus-wide leader of Undergraduate Research Office at ISU, where she managed multiple high-impact programs and initiatives, including the First-Year Honors Mentor Program, Undergraduate Research Ambassador Program, and several annual research symposia. Her work has significantly advanced student success and research engagement across disciplines.
Dr. Zbarska holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Iowa State University and previously conducted research in behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and intracranial recordings. Originally from Ukraine, she earned her B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Biophysics with honors from Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. She is deeply committed to empowering students through research, mentorship, and career development.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"