The UH Cullen College of Engineering’s electrical and computer engineering (ECE) department welcomed seven new members to its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) in the spring of 2019.
The ECE IAB connects leaders in industry, government and academia with students and faculty from the Cullen College’s ECE department. Through collaboration and exchange of ideas, the IAB strives to enhance the overall academic and research experience for ECE students, as well as to support the department in educating the next generation of global, world-class engineers.
The IAB’s newest members – Vidya “Sagar” Asalapuram, Abu Baker, Michael Dougherty, Alexa Malaspino, Bill Ramsey, Kristen Roberts and Gregory Rogers – bring an array of diverse industry experience and expertise to the table. Learn more about each new member below:
Vidya “Sagar” Asalapuram
Vidya “Sagar” Asalapuram is a solution architect at Kalypso LP, an innovation consulting company. He advises clients on the implementation of smart connected operations in their business models, underpinned by Machine Learning and AI.
His expertise involves applying artificial intelligence in engineering systems. Asalapuram is passionate about finding ways to make innovative digital solutions more affordable and available to a larger section of the Industry. He is currently involved in Deep Learning applications for Vision and Condition based Predictive Solutions that drive Operational efficiencies and reduce downtime in various industries.
Previously, he worked at Infodat International Inc., where he orchestrated the creation of Infodat Digital in 2016, by bringing diverse teams from Industrial Systems Automation, Instrumentation, Computer and Software Engineering backgrounds together.
Asalapuram also spent almost a decade with TechnipFMC and gained expertise in Subsea Electro-Hydraulic Control Umbilicals, Low Voltage Power Cables, Fiber Optic Cables, Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steels and other Offshore equipment. He has held roles ranging from Engineer to Project Manager.
He has a master's degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Sri Venkateswara University, A.P., India. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Asalapuram actively encourages knowledge transfer and learning through mentorship in STEM fields. He is a drone enthusiast, avid cyclist, a marathon runner and enjoys shuttle badminton.
Abu Baker
Abu Baker is a technology enablement architect and system technology manager for commercial notebooks at Hewlett-Packard. He currently leads key programs involving multiple software functions in human interface technology and is involved with a project addressing firmware security requirements to protect main principles behind cyber security.
Before joining HP, Abu Baker worked for Microsoft Corp. as a software development architect for the Surface Tablet. He implemented appropriate debug and troubleshooting procedures to quickly determine the best course for problem ownership and resolution.
He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Houston.
Abu Baker, who has a doctoral degree in electrical engineering, has patented his ideas on Palm Rejection Algorithms for Human Interface Devices. He also has patents in progress for other biometric devices (i.e. Finger Print Sensor). His next major project is to build a cognitive strategy to bring data sources together and empower computers with their own means of gathering information.
Michael Dougherty
Michael Dougherty is the vice president of quality for HP Inc.’s Personal Systems Group. He leads a multinational team focused on ensuring the quality, reliability and safety of notebooks, desktops, workstations, thin clients and retail point of sale systems.
Prior to his current role, Michael was based in Singapore and led the Quality Team for Asia. Also at HP, Dougherty has led electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and engineering program managers focused on notebook product development. He started at HP (Compaq) as an electrical engineer on a printer development team in 1990.
Before joining HP, Dougherty worked at Texas Instruments and developed avionics for the YF-22 tactical fighter, and did avionics design for an advanced concept light helicopter (LHX).
He has six patents relating to PC and printer design.
Dougherty received a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Luther College, and a master’s degree in computer engineering from Iowa State University.
He regularly assists at the Heights Interfaith Food Panty which serves low-income and homeless members of the Houston community.
Alexa Malaspino
Alexa Malaspino is a Mako product specialist at Stryker Corp.
Previously, she served as a technical sales representative at Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent). She managed university accounts in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Before that, she primarily called on semiconductor customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Malaspino earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Purdue University in 2015. She is a professional member of Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and is passionate about engineering outreach.
Bill Ramsey
Bill Ramsey is currently the America’s market development manager for the ExxonMobil Chemical Polypropylene business. His team works with customers to develop future solutions for their specific applications by understanding the growth and technical drivers of the market. The team consists of chemical, mechanical, electrical and industrial engineers that utilize both technical and commercial skills to lead new product developments. Additionally, Ramsey is the engineering recruiting captain for all of ExxonMobil’s engineering hiring needs at the University of Houston.
Ramsey graduated from UH in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and again in 1999 with an MBA. He first started his career at BASF in Freeport as an operations engineer where he ran acrylic acid plants for six years. Post MBA, he went to work for ExxonMobil Chemical where he has had various roles in finance, marketing, customer service and regulatory affairs over the past 18 years. During this time, he was a part of or led the development and commercialization of several new polymer product platforms.
Ramsey is a third generation Cougar and is married to Lani, who is also a Cougar. They have two children, Marissa, a Cougar majoring in Supply Chain Management, and Kyle a senior in high school. For fun they have season tickets to Cougar football and basketball games.
Kristen Roberts
Kristen Roberts is a clinical specialist with Stryker Corp. in the Houston metropolitan area. She consults with surgeons and operating room staff to determine and support ideal technical and business solutions for their needs. Whilst working for Stryker, Kristen has also developed a class one medical device to be utilized in the operating room that is currently undergoing the patent review process.
Roberts previously served in engineering roles for various industries in Houston, including a biomedical company called Fannin Innovation Studios and an oil and gas company called ION Geophysical.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, with a focus in bioinformatics, from the University of Houston in 2016. As an undergrad, she also completed several technical internships within the Houston biotechnology start-up community at BetaCat Pharmaceuticals, Salarius Pharmaceuticals and BioHouston.
Roberts is involved in FRC robotics as a mentor for a high school team in the Pasadena area. Outside of robotics, she is also very passionate about medical device innovation and engineering outreach for women.
Gregory Rogers
Gregory Rogers is a registered Professional Engineer in electrical engineering, control system engineering and a TUV Certified functional safety engineer. He has nearly 30 years of experience in electrical engineering and related instrumentation, controls, safety systems and networking.
Rogers has been with Enterprise Products – one of the nation’s largest mid-stream energy companies – for the past 17 years and is currently serving as the senior director of automation where he is responsible for all Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for plants, pipelines and terminals; as well as, SCADA, Leak Detection and ICS Cyber Security.
Rogers attended both Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana State University.