February 23-27, 2026
Join us for a full week of industry engagement, academic showcases, student experiences, and hands-on learning across SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering. Engineering Week connects students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners through experiential learning, research highlights, and career-focused discussions.
To inquire about participating virtually, contact the College of Engineering at ceng@sunypoly.edu.
Monday, February 23
Industry Roundtable
Location: Student Center MPR 1 & 2
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This invite-only event brings together industry leaders, faculty, and students to strengthen partnerships, expand experiential learning opportunities, and advance internship development initiatives at SUNY Poly.
Industry Talk – Nine Years in AI: Lessons Learned for Building a Career
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 2 – 3 p.m.
Presenter: Jacob Baldwin, Research Scientist, Assured Information Security (AIS)
Jacob Baldwin brings nearly a decade of experience in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and applied data science. Prior to AIS, he served as Lead Data Scientist at Pro Football Focus. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington and dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics from Clarkson University.
Career pathways in AI; Adapting to emerging technologies; Lifelong learning strategies; and Staying relevant in a rapidly evolving field.
Pre-Engineering Pathways and Boot Camp
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
Presenter: Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Associate Professor and Engineering Science Coordinator
Dr. Wolfe will be discussing the new Pathway to Engineering curriculum, as well as a new Engineering Boot Camp that will be taking place over the summer.
Tuesday, February 24 – Computer Science Day
A full day of interactive demonstrations, industry insight, and emerging technology discussions highlighting artificial intelligence, computer science, hardware-based security, and bioinformatics innovation.
Morning Coffee
Location: CS Loop (outside Kunsela C122)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
An informal opportunity for students, faculty, and guests to connect before the day’s sessions begin.
AI Street Fighting 
Location: Kunsela C122
Time: 10 a.m.
Presenter: John Szwakob III, Computer Science Lecturer and Assistant Director of SUNY Poly's AI Trading Room (made possible by alumni Steve and Gina Surace). With a strong interest in cutting-edge AI research, he is actively engaged in advancing artificial intelligence education on campus.
See how machine learning attempts to master a classic arcade fighter. Watch the training process unfold in real time, witness the evolution of a digital martial artist, and test your skills against the machine.
Modern Software Security is Hardware-Based 
Location: Student Center MPR2
Time: 11 a.m.
Presenter: Bill Roberts, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and SUNY Poly alumnus, has built a distinguished career at industry leaders including Samsung and Intel. He currently serves as a Principal Engineer at ARM, where he drives open-source innovation and supports Linux-based hardware.
As cyber threats evolve, securing systems requires more than software solutions alone. This session explores why security-centric hardware has become essential to protecting modern systems and data from sophisticated attacks.
Lunch and CS Trivia
Location: Student Center MPR2
Time: 12 p.m.
Join fellow attendees for lunch and a lively Computer Science trivia session.
See What AI Sees 
Location: Kunsela C122
Time: 1 p.m.
Presenter: Dr. Michael J. Reale, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Graduate Program Coordinator at SUNY Poly. Dr. Reale earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from SUNY Binghamton in 2014. His research focuses on Computer Vision, AI/Machine Learning, Image Generation, and Computer Graphics. He is also the founder and director of the Graphics and Image Processing Research (GIPR) Lab.
Ever wonder how camera-based AI systems interpret the world? Explore the hidden layers of digital vision and observe how AI visually deconstructs space through dynamic, real-time analysis.
Impactful Poly Engineer 
Location: Student Center MPR2
Time: 2 p.m.
Presenter: Bill Roberts, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and SUNY Poly alumnus, has built a distinguished career at industry leaders including Samsung and Intel. He currently serves as a Principal Engineer at ARM, where he drives open-source innovation and supports Linux-based hardware.
Roberts shares his journey from campus to contributing at some of the world’s most influential technology companies, and reflects on the experiences that shaped his impact in the field.
Bioinformatics Creates New Careers 
Location: Student Center MPR2
Time: 3 p.m.
Presenter: Dr. Amirhossein Manzourolajdad, Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at SUNY Poly. He received his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from the University of Georgia in 2014, along with a Master of Science in Systems Telecommunications Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Electronics). His doctoral research focused on RNA molecular structures of bacterial riboswitches. He later conducted evolutionary research on HIV RNA at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). His current research centers on sequence design for riboswitches using Geometric Graph Neural Networks.
Bioinformatics is transforming careers across engineering, healthcare, and business. This session explores how decoding genomic data drives innovation in medicine, attracts national and international investment, and advances human health worldwide.
Wednesday, February 25 – Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Day
A showcase of ECE education, research, student success, and hands-on innovation.
All events located in Student Center MPR 1
Opening Remarks
9 – 9:15 a.m.
Why ECE? Education and Opportunities at SUNY Poly
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Learn about ECE and Cybersecurity course structure, opportunities (Local and global), and student success/benefits.
Coffee Break
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Research Opportunities in ECE
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Learn about research activity within the department, its research centers, and student involvement in these initiatives.
Student Success Stories
11 a.m. – Noon
Meet our students and hear about their experiences in ECE, as well as their internship journeys.
Lunch with Posters & Demos
Noon – 1 p.m.
IEEE Student Chapter Discussion
1 – 1:30 p.m.
SUNY Poly students discuss the benefits and opportunities for their peers through IEEE.
Tech Trivia & Educational Video Quiz (Includes Prizes)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Hands-On Workshop (Circuits, IoT, Working Code)
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Encouraging student participation through small take-home projects and coding assignments.
Closing Remarks
3:45 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, February 26 – Civil & Mechanical Engineering (CME) Day
Opening Remarks
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 9 – 9:20 a.m.
Keynote: AI in Engineering Education and Research 
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 9:20 – 10:20 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. Wole Soboyejo, President, SUNY Poly
SUNY Poly President Dr. Wole Soboyejo received his BS in mechanical engineering from King’s College London in 1985, and a PhD in materials science and metallurgy from Cambridge University in 1988. He was a Research Scientist at the McDonnell Douglas Research Labs between 1988 and 1992, before joining the Edison Welding Institute in 1992. Since 1992, he has served on the engineering faculty at The Ohio State University (1992-1999), MIT (1997-1998), Princeton University (1999-2016), African University of Science and Technology (2011-2024), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2016-2023) and SUNY Poly (2023-present). He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the African Academy of Science, Fellow of the World Academy of Science, Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Faculty & Center Lightning Talks
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 10:20 a.m. – Noon
Dr. William Durgin: Aviation Decarbonization
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Dr. Yu (Joe) Zhou: Industrial Robotics
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| Dr. Xinrui (Sarah) Niu: Biomaterials & Bio-Inspired Design Dr. Niu is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Poly. Her research focuses on design of bioinspired materials and structures for wellness, energy-saving and sustainable environment. She studies mechanical and physical behaviors of bioinspired materials and structures, smart manufacturing, non-linear elastic behavior of solids, polymer-based composites, and so on. She has published over 40 SCI-listed journal articles, 4 book chapters, 4 US patents and 1 international patent and delivered two dozen invited talks and more than 70 presentations in the leading academic conferences and world-renowned universities. Before joining SUNY Poly in January 2025, Dr. Niu was an Associate Professor at the City University of Hong Kong. Before that, she briefly worked as an R&D engineer at MicroPort Co. for the design of durable biodegradable stents and led the company-wide finite element analysis platform which supported the design of various endovascular stenting products. Dr. Niu holds a B.E. degree in Engineering Mechanics and an M.E. degree in Solid Mechanics from Tsinghua University, an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University. |  |
| Dr. M. Jasim Uddin: Advanced Manufacturing of Energy Devices Dr. Uddin, with an h-index of 39 and over 7,000 citations, is a renowned expert in materials science and engineering. Dr. Uddin has published over 100 ISI-indexed journal articles, holds 4 patents, and has authored 2 books. He currently serves as the Wolfspeed Endowed Chair Professor and Director of the Center for Intelligent Manufacturing at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Previously, he was the Fred W. and Frances H. Rusteberg Faculty Professor and Director/CoDirector of PERL and the Materials Science and Eng Ph.D. Program at UTRGV. His research spans biomedical sensors, solar energy, smart materials, and sustainable technologies such as TENGs and PENGs, supported by over $20 million in external research funding. He received more than 30 national and international professional awards. |  |
Lunch & Networking
Location: Donovan G172
Time: Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Career Fair Expo
Location: Wildcat Field House
Time: 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Join us on Thursday, February 26, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Wildcat Field House to connect with a wide variety of employers, explore career paths, and learn about internships, externships, and full-time opportunities.
What makes this Career Fair Expo different?
- Interactive employer booths
- Hands-on demonstrations and engaging displays
- Opportunities to ask questions and make meaningful connections
Whether you’re just starting to explore careers or actively job searching, this event is for all majors and class years. We encourage you to come ready to explore what’s next for you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Research Centers Showcase
Location: CGAM Area in Donovan Hall
Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Learn about the work of some of SUNY Poly’s research centers, including the Center for Smart Infrastructure and Sustainability (CSIS), Center for Intelligent Manufacturing (CIM), Center for Nature-Inspired Engineering (CNIE) and the Global Center for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (GCAMM). The event will include faculty and student poster presentations, demonstrations and prototypes, industry-focused and interdisciplinary research and lab tours.
Friday, February 27 – Engineering Technology Day
A hands-on, immersive experience across Engineering Technology programs.
U.S. Drone Soccer Qualifier Tournament
Location: Wildcat Field House
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As part of College of Engineering Week, SUNY Poly will be hosting a U.S. Drone Soccer Qualifier Tournament. We would love for faculty, staff, students, and guests to attend, spectate, interact with participating students, and volunteer if interested. This is a great opportunity to celebrate innovation in engineering and STEM education.
Event Schedule (Fieldhouse):
- 7:30 AM – Setup
- 8:30 AM – Doors open
- 9:30 AM – Team meeting
- 9:50 AM – Opening ceremony
- 10:00 AM – First matches begin
- 11:30 AM – Lunch for competitors (pizza and cookies)
- 1:30 PM – Closing ceremony (tentative, depending on tournament pace
Participating teams include:
- Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse
- Utica Academy of Science Charter School
- Little Falls
- Mohonasen
- Vernon Verona Sherrill (VVS)
- Cicero-North Syracuse High School (CNS)
Coffee Break & Networking
Location: Donovan Hall G225
Time: 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Informal networking with faculty, students, and visitors
Steel Bridge Activity
Location: Donovan G225
Time: 9:30-11 a.m.
Presenter: Civil Engineering Technology Coordinator Mark Mattson, P.E.
Lunch + Student Project & Competition Showcase
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
Students will show off their capstone projects and prototype displays.
Engineering Beyond the Textbook: Cyber, Electronics, and Systems in the Real World
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 1-1:30 p.m.
Presenter: Saidi Williams is an Associate Cyber Warfare Engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, whose work sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, microelectronics design, electronics testing, and systems engineering. His previous experience ranges from the design and implementation of missile system architectures for mission-critical defense applications, to semiconductor design, electro-optical defense system development, radar systems engineering, digital signal processing, and even Augmented and Virtual Reality. His professional work currently focuses on testing and securing complex engineered systems, while working to understand to how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, fit into modern engineering environments. Saidi is passionate about helping students understand real-world engineering roles, career pathways, and the skills that matter most when transitioning from academia into industry.
Engineering careers extend far beyond job titles and buzzwords. In this focused interest conversation, Saidi Williams, Associate Cyber Warfare Engineer, will discuss real-world career pathways in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, Microelectronics Design and Testing, and Systems Engineering.
Drawing from industry experience and his personal background, Saidi will share insights on how these disciplines intersect, what entry-level engineers actually work on, and how students can position themselves for success in technical roles across defense, technology, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The conversation will also briefly touch on how emerging technologies like AI are influencing job opportunities, without losing sight of the foundational engineering skills that drive industry demand.
This session is ideal for students exploring engineering careers, preparing for internships, or seeking clarity on how their coursework connects to industry roles.
Afternoon Coffee Break
Location: Donovan G172
Time: 1:30-1:45 p.m.
Fluid Power Activity
Location: Donovan G227
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Presenter: Assistant Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal
