Speaker Background:

Dr. Dirk Colbry is Faculty in the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE) at Michigan State University (MSU). Dr. Colbry earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science and his principle areas of research include Scientific Image Understanding and Machine Learning.  Dr. Colbry also conducts research in computational education and high-performance computing (HPC). From 2009 until 2015, Dr. Colbry worked for the Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (ICER) as a computational consultant and Director of the High Performance Computing Center (HPCC).  Dr. Colbry has developed curriculum and taught a wide range of courses, including; professional skills training, tools for computational modeling, numerical linear algebra, parallel programming, microprocessors, artificial intelligence, scientific image analysis, compilers, Data Science Capstone, GPU programming, next generation architectures, and courses in algorithm analysis. 

Dr. Colbry’s main area of research is in scientific data understanding and collaborates with scientists from multiple disciplines including Engineering, Toxicology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Zoology, Mathematics, Statistics and Biology. Recent projects include research in Image Phenomics; developing a commercially-viable large scale, cloud based image pathology tool; and helping develop methods for measuring the Carbon stored inside of soil. 

Workshop Description:

This session gives a real, unfiltered look into what it’s actually like to build a startup as a first-time founder. Instead of focusing on theory, funding, or “success stories,” this workshop breaks down the day-to-day reality - from customer discovery and product iteration to handling negative feedback, slow growth, and the unsexy work behind the scenes.

Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of what early-stage startups really involve, how to think about building something from 0, and what it takes to navigate uncertainty, failure, and progress in real time.

This will be a mix of storytelling, practical insights, and open discussion.

Speaker Background:

Emilio Sese is a computer science graduate from the University of Cincinnati and the Founder of kloob, a platform helping communities plan and run events more effectively. He previously worked as a Product Owner at Fifth Third Bank and has led and supported multiple student organizations (including starting current chapter of SASE at UC) and community events, including a non-profit in Cincinnati (Asianati).

He is currently building kloob full-time and focuses on learning through customer feedback, rapid iteration, and real-world execution as a first-time founder.

Workshop Description:

Interested in pursuing a Master's or PhD? Not sure if going back to school is the right decision for you? Or maybe you’re considering a career change and wondering how graduate school fits in? Join three of our own graduate students as they share their unique stories, challenges, and tips for navigating grad school.

Speaker Background:

Janine is a second year PhD student at Northwestern University studying Materials Science and Engineering. She graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Materials Engineering. Her current research is focused on examining alternatives for fluoroelastomers. 

Rebekah is a second year Master's student at the University of Dayton studying Biomechanical Engineering. She graduated from the University of Dayton with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Her research is in rehabilitation technology for spinal cord injuries.

Megha is an incoming MBA Candidate intending to pursue Strategy and Operations Consulting. They graduated from Kettering University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Computer Engineering. She currently works at General Motors as a Design Release Engineer for Electric Vehicles.

Workshop Description:

Everyone says "have confidence" but how do you know something before you even learn it? Join this active session as we practice what it means to hold yourself a little taller, talk a bit more bolder, and know what confidence feels like to you.

Speaker Background:

Ummiya is a Civil Engineer currently working for HNTB as part of the Aviation team. She is a UDayton grad with past experiences in the Air Force and the construction field. She has been with SASE since 2018, volunteering in various roles at the chapter, regional, and national level.

Workshop Description:

Choosing an appropriate business strategy has long been one of the most consequential decisions facing organizations. Over time, the strategic management literature has produced a series of influential frameworks to explain and guide the sources of superior firm performance. Beginning with Porter’s Five Forces and extending to the Resource-Based View, these models emphasized industry structure and firm-specific resources as the primary determinants of competitive advantage. More recently, the Dynamic Capabilities View has emerged as a dominant perspective, highlighting the ability of firms to sense, seize, and reconfigure resources in rapidly changing environments.

However, the rapid rise of data science and artificial intelligence is fundamentally challenging—and in many cases, reshaping—the assumptions underlying these traditional frameworks. Advances in data availability, computational power, and machine learning have introduced new mechanisms through which firms create and sustain advantage. In particular, data-driven systems are transforming the economics of competition by amplifying and redefining three core drivers of performance: scale, scope, and learning effects.

In this talk, we explore how data science and AI are not merely incremental tools, but foundational technologies that are reconceptualizing strategy itself. Rather than static positioning or discrete capability deployment, competitive advantage increasingly arises from the design of self-reinforcing, data-driven systems that continuously learn, adapt, and improve. We will examine how these shifts alter the logic of traditional strategy frameworks and discuss their implications for firms seeking to compete in an AI-driven landscape.

Speaker Background:

Omar has deep skills in strategic analysis and data science. He has worked in teaching and research over the last few decades. He has served on the faculties of Philadelphia University, State University of New York, College at Geneseo, Oakland University, Ohio Northern University, Heidelberg University and most recently Kettering University.

Omar is also Principal Data Scientist and Founder of Azra Analytics, which is a data-science consulting and model development company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Omar has a PhD in International Strategic Management from Temple University, an MBA from LUMS and a MS in Data Science from Grand Valley State University. 

He has worked on numerous data science projects both for academia and industry. He has also developed and taught data science classes at Heidelberg University and Kettering University. His research has been published in reputable journals in his field. His current research is on how businesses build analytics capabilities successfully.

Workshop Description:

This hands-on workshop introduces service-learning as a strategy to strengthen cultural competency in health care while addressing community needs. Participants will collaborate to create nutritious recipe cards based on family or cultural recipes for people experiencing food insecurity. After the conference, the recipe cards will be submitted to the Northwestern Medicine Food as Medicine team for nutritional analysis and to the Chinatown Clinic—a student organization led by Northwestern University medical students—for translation into multiple languages. The session combines brief evidence-based content, small-group discussion, and a service activity so you can make an immediate impact and bring practical lessons back to your own community.

Speaker Background:

Diana Xu is a service-oriented and compassionate leader dedicated to improving patient and community health through healthcare administration. She was one of the co-founding presidents of the SASE MSU chapter back in 2013, and went on to be a Midwest Regional Coordinator, and later, the Regional Manager. In 2017, she was honored with the SASE Rising Star Award at the National Conference. During her time as RM, she became known as "Mama Xu," a nickname that in 2023, became all the more fitting with the birth of her daughter, Aria.

Diana has her Bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan State University and her Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. While completing her MHA at UIC, she precepted in the Performance Improvement Office at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH), the only Illinois hospital to be ranked No. 1 for 14 straight years by U.S. News & World Report. This experience, where she led a project on improving malnutrition screening, diagnoses, and documentation, laid the foundation for her career in hospitals and health systems. 

Workshop Description:

"We don’t know what we’re doing either

This is what we’ve learned so far"

Speaker Background:

"Max Schramm - BDO: Tax Automation and Innovation Associate - MTU25’

Carson Perkins - Mortenson: Field Engineer - MTU25’"

Workshop Description:

Many engineering students experience feelings of self-doubt, questioning whether they truly belong in academic or professional spaces. Often labeled as “imposter syndrome,” these experiences are frequently framed as individual shortcomings rather than reflections of broader systemic and cultural dynamics within engineering environments. This interactive workshop invites participants to rethink imposter syndrome as a common and understandable response to navigating high-pressure, inequitable, and often exclusionary spaces.

Through guided reflection and peer engagement, participants will explore how their past experiences, achievements, and challenges have shaped their sense of confidence and belonging. The workshop includes a reframing activity focused on identifying “evidence of competence,” helping students recognize and articulate their strengths and accomplishments. In addition, a peer affirmation activity will create space for participants to both give and receive validation, reinforcing a sense of community and shared experience.

By the end of the session, students will leave with strategies to navigate moments of self-doubt and a clearer understanding of their own capabilities, a stronger sense of belonging, and a more grounded personal direction moving forward.

Speaker Background:

Jordan Peyton is a PhD student in Engineering Education at The Ohio State University, where their work focuses on how engineering students navigate pathways into graduate education and professional careers. Jordan examines how experiences such as undergraduate research, internships, and leadership roles shape students’ confidence, sense of belonging, and career decision-making.

In addition to their research, Jordan has extensive experience facilitating student-centered programming across higher education and national conferences. They have led workshops and presentations at the SASE MWRC, WE25, MAASU, and MCASA. Their work consistently centers supporting students, particularly those from historically underrepresented and APIDA communities, in navigating complex academic and professional environments.

Jordan’s approach to workshops integrates research, storytelling, and interactive reflection to create affirming spaces where students can critically examine experiences like imposter syndrome, build confidence, and develop strategies for thriving in engineering spaces.

Workshop Description:

Join SASE Regional Volunteers, old and new, as they put their spice tolerance to the test with some fiery ramen while answering some hard-hitting questions!