The 32nd KSEA Northeast Regional Conference (NRC) was jointly hosted by the KSEA New York Metropolitan (Chapter President (CP) & Conference Chair: Ohbong Kwon), New Jersey (CP & Conference Co-Chair: Hyojin Kim), Philadelphia (CP & Conference Program Chair: Jinwook Lee) chapters on April 29, 2023 at Montclair State University, NJ. The 32nd NRC was prepared by collaborating with local societies and KSEA affiliated professional societies (APSs), including KASBP, KITEE, KWiSE, NYKB, and PKSA. NRC 2023 was a 1-day event being sponsored by nonprofit organizations such as KSEA and Korea-U.S. Science Cooperation Center (KUSCO). The conference was set back to be held in person after 2019. The main theme of NRC 2023 was “Rebuilding with Resilience”, and its goal was to promote the spirit of service in pursuing technical excellence by exemplifying those who have led such a life of service. This theme simultaneously champions the future of Biotech & Healthcare, D.N.A (Data, Network, and A.I.), Smart Science & Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Young Generation, as well as the social elements of global impact, community, and diversity. The 32nd NRC was highly successful with 119 attendees including special guests such as the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in New York, former, current, and elected KSEA presidents, and sponsor representatives as well as a number of KSEA young generation (YG) members participating from diverse geographical backgrounds.
At NRC 2023, the opening and closing plenary sessions were presented in the morning and in the afternoon differently from the previous years. The two invited plenary speakers, Dr. Chang-Yong Nam (Brookhaven National Laboratory), and Dr. Young-Kee Kim (The University of Chicago) shared their interesting works and challenges on the topics “Energy-Efficient, Extremely Downscaled Semiconductor Devices” and “Making the Invisible Visible: Searching for Fundamental Laws of Nature”, respectively.
Figure 1. Opening Ceremony by NJ Chapter President Dr. Hyojin Kim
Figure 2. Opening Plenary Session by Dr. Chang-Yong Nam
Figure 3. Closing Plenary Session by Dr. Young-Kee Kim
NRC 2023 was very successful, greatly contributing to the advancement of research and development in both USA and Korea and providing an opportunity for members and other subject matter experts to establish professional networks, as well as to explore career opportunities. Especially, this conference hosted and promoted a meeting for Young Generations. Local Young Generation (YG) chapters of NY Metropolitan, New Jersey, and Philadelphia held a special leadership session and a networking event during this Conference to obtain their insight for the future. In addition, Korean-American Innovative Technology Engineers and Entrepreneurs (KITEE) organized and hosting their own session during the conference to promote entrepreneurship of NRC members.
NRC 2023 contributed to the enhancement and improvement of scientific, engineering and /or educational activities among the adult members by the networking and communication during the technical sessions and networking lunch and dinner, and contributed to the awareness and promotion of Korean-American Young Generation (YG) scientists and engineers by providing mentor panel discussion and scholarships.
Figure 4. NRC 2023 Group Photo
Reported by Ohbong Kwon, PhD.
NRC 2023 Conference Chair / NY Metropolitan Chapter President
New York City College of Technology
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