Spring 2016 Colloquia

A Day of Dialogue: A Dialogue on Race, Difference, Inclusion, Tolerance, and Freedom of Expression on College Campuses

NJIT's Vice President for Academic Support and Student Affairs, Dr. Charles J. Fey, invites the university community to participate in a day of dialogue with guest speaker Dr. Felicia McGinty, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at Rutgers University.

Dr. McGinty leads the Student Affairs Office at Rutgers-New Brunswick with a forward-thinking, student-centered philosophy to enhance the co-curricular experience and promote student success. Her particular professional interest and expertise encompass student recruitment, retention, and graduation; academic advising; first year programs; counseling and psychological services; and the creation of climates of support for diverse student populations. Breakout sessions will follow Dr. McGinty's address to consider the state of diversity and inclusion on our campus.

How to Control a Zombie Army: The New Science of Neuroparasitology

Carl Zimmer

Parasites used to be considered nothing more than freeloaders, taking advantage of their hosts.  Now scientists are discovering a sinister sophistication to these creatures.  Many species can control their hosts and force them to do their bidding.  Researchers are only beginning to explore this remarkable mind-control, developing a field that's been called neuroparasitology that could someday help us find better ways to treat disorders in our own brains.

Carl Zimmer is a prolific science writer and columnist for "Matter" (a weekly series in the NY Times), award-winning blog "The Loom" hosted by National Geographic, author of numerous books (including two widely-acclaimed textbooks on evolution), host of the "Science Happens" video series for STAT (a health and medicine publication), a three-time recipient of the Science Journalism award from the AAS, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. (Photo courtesy of NY Times and Biogeoscience.)

Free Speech Debate

Join in a debate about NJIT's free speech and Title IX policies.

Leading in the Network Society

Gowton Achaibar '86

​Mr. Gowton Achaibar, NJIT alumnus and COO & Head of Operations for Ericsson North America, speaks at NJIT about Leading in the Network Society.  He began his career at ATT Bell Labs in 1986 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from NJIT.  Shortly thereafter, he earned a MS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and eventually an MBA from Auburn University.  In 1995, Gowton joined Powertel as CTO in which capacity he built and operated a wireless network in the Southeast of the United States.

When Powertel was acquired by T-Mobile, Gowton joined Ericsson, a large multi-national firm in the telecom space, as VP and GM of the North American Services business.  After successfully transforming this business, he moved into a role as Executive VP of Sales for North American Key Accounts.  In 2008, he moved to India to serve as President and CEO of Ericsson India.  Over the course of three years, he strengthened Ericsson's position in the rapidly expanding Indian market and secured the largest market share in 3G.  In addition, he established an Ericsson college partnership that became a successful mentorship program for new engineers looking to join the company.

In 2011, Gowton returned to the US as COO and Head of Operations for Ericsson North America.  In that capacity, he manages an organization of approximately 14,000 employees and contractors that designs, integrates, builds, and maintains networks across North America.  Gowton is a passionate cricket fan.  In his early years, he played cricket in NJ and served as President of the NJ Cricket Association.  In addition, he jointly edited a cricket magazine called the "US Cricketer" with former Editor of the Jamaican Gleaner, Tony Becca.  Gowton lives in Texas with his wife and four children.

President's Forum - Dr. Julian Goldman

The Medical Internet of Things (MIoT) to Enable Healthcare Transformation

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Dr. Goldman is the Medical Director of Biomedical Engineering for Partners HealthCare, an anesthesiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and Director/PI of the Program on Medical Device Interoperability (MD PnP) - a multi-institutional research program founded in 2004 to advance medical device interoperability to improve patient safety and HIT innovation.

Dr. Goldman performed his clinical anesthesia and research training at the University of Colorado, and is Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Clinical Informatics.  He served as a Visiting Scholar in the FDA Medical Device Fellowship Program as well as an executive of a medical device company.  At MGH, Dr. Goldman served as a principal anesthesiologist in the "OR of the Future" - a multi-specialty OR that studies diverse technologies and clinical practices to enable broad adoption.

Dr. Goldman chairs the international standardization committee for the safety and performance of anesthesia and respiratory equipment (ISO TC 121), and serves in leadership positions of AAMI, UL, and IEC standardization committees.  He co-Chaired the HHS HIT Policy Committee FDASIA Regulations Subcommittee and the FCC mHealth Task Force, and co-Chairs the healthcare task group of the Industrial Internet Consortium.  He was recently appointed as a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS).

Dr. Goldman's awards include the AAMI Technology in Health Care Clinical Application Award, the International Council on Systems Engineering Pioneer Award, the American College of Clinical Engineering award for Professional Achievement in Technology, and American Society of Anesthesiologists awards for advanced technology applications to improve patient safety.

Abstract: The ubiquitous connectivity of consumer and industrial equipment has laid the foundation for the Internet of Things (IoT) with projections of 50 billion devices connected and the addition of $15 trillion to the global GDP within 15 years.  Applied to healthcare, the Medical IoT (MIoT) may enable revolutionary improvements in the quality and safety of healthcare, unleash innovation, and reduce the cost of healthcare delivery.  To meet this vision, safety, security, and interoperability must be baked into the foundation of the MIoT.

Naming Ceremony, Martin Tuchman School of Management

Keynote Address

11:15 a.m. to Noon

Dr. David McQueeney, IBM Vice President, Corporate Technology and Community

Colloquium: A New Era of Business with the Power of STEM

1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Moderator: Steve Adubato, PhD, Broadcaster, Author, Founder - Steve Adubato's Stand & Deliver

Panelists:

• Tony Crincoli, Executive Director, Global Engineering Services, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Bill Quinn, Retired Vice President, Johnson & Johnson
• Misha Riveros, Former General Manager, GE Plastics, Latin America
• AJ Sutera, Former CTO of Digital Properties, Hudson's Bay (Saks, Lord & Taylor)
• Kevin Uckert, Director of Northeast Sales, Mercer (division of Marsh McLennan)

Students are asked to pre-register to attend either of these events.  Attendance at either event will be counted as colloquium credit.

Jesus Christ Superstar

​This 1970 rock opera (music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice) is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus' life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion.  It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus that are not in the Bible narratives. (Wikipedia).  The Thursday evening performance will feature a talk back session.

Tickets ($15) can be purchased online at runjitsuperstar.eventbrite.com.  Tickets will be held up to 10 minutes before curtain.  Students wishing to receive colloquium credit for this performance should pre-register here.

Panasonic Corporation of North America Chairm & CEO Joseph Taylor

​Panasonic Corporation of North America Chairman and CEO Joseph M. Taylor discusses digitalization, new competition, and his innovations that helped drive the company's transformation into a B2B powerhouse.  There will be ample time allowed for Q&A.

Mr. Taylor , who currently serves as a member of the university's Board of Trustees, has had a 20-year association with the university through programs he helped develop ranging from academic competitions to scholarships.  In 1991, Mr. Taylor, then General Manager of Applied Materials Group at Panasonic, helped found the Panasonic Creative Design Challenge and the Panasonic Scholarship Program now in its 20th year.  He felt these programs would create "a steady stream of young, smart, energetic science, technology, and engineering talent."  Under Taylor's leadership, Panasonic moved its headquarters to Newark as part of its effort to transform itself into an innovation leader in green business by offering employees easy access to a major mass transit hub and incorporating energy savings, water savings, and accessibility throughout its design.

Faculty Jazz Concert

The faculty from NJIT and Rutgers University-Newark present, through the Jim Wise Endowment Archive, a concert of faculty who are professional jazz musicians.  The concert features: David Rothenberg, NJIT Department of Humanities/Science, Technology, and Society Program; David Rimelis, NJIT Department of Humanities/Theatre Arts and Technology Program and Music Initiative Conductor; Lewis Porter, Rutgers Newark Director of the Graduate School of Jazz Studies; with Bassist Adam Lane ("one of the most creative voices in contemporary jazz"); and drummer Louis T. Grassi, noted for recordings on radio, TV, and noted publications.

Women Designing the Future Conference: Digital Realities, Today and Tomorrow

Sponsored by the Murray Center for Women in Technology, this day-long event features presentations by Mollie Ruskin, Product and Serviced Designer, The United States Digital Service, The White House; The Emblematic Group; and a number of women entrepreneurs (see the PROGRAM FLYER for more details).  Students who attend will:  

• Talk with top women tech makers and entrepreneurs as they explain how emerging digital technologies will transform our lives over the next 20 years
• Experience the power of virtual reality
• Explore exciting new digital careers at the intersection of technology + art + design
• Learn how to leverage new digital technologies to advance your commercial ideas

Honors students should register using this link - ALL students are welcome!  Faculty, Staff, Administrators, and other guests, please click here to register.

Business Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs Colloquium & Networking Event

​Join us for a colloquium and networking reception with alumni with an interest in Business Start-ups and Entrepreneurship.  The featured speaker is Simon Nynens, Chairman & CEO of Wayside Technologies.  The colloquium begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Jim Wise Theater, followed by a networking reception in the theater foyer, giving students and alums the opportunity to meet more informally and carry on conversations about experiences, ideas, and aspirations.  Students do not have to register for this event, but alumni wishing to participate can register here by March 30.

A Tour of Goya Manufacturing and Corporate Centers in New Jersey

​A small group of students will participate in an up-close tour behind the scenes of Goya's new manufacturing facility and corporate offices in New Jersey.

A Glimpse of India Cultural Show

A Glimpse of India Cultural Show includes a fashion show, dance performances, instrumentals, and singing performances by our very own student population to showcase the culture of India.​

STS Forum: BP Oil Spill

On the sixth anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, speakers Kim Waddell (PhD), Senior Program Officer with the Gulf Research Program, and Mr. Dave Westerholm, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), speak to students about the event and its repercussions.

Women in the Workplace Panel

ALL students are invited to come and hear women professionals discuss their experiences in the workplace.

NJIT String and Wind Ensembles

The faculty, staff, and students of NJIT once again present their string and wind ensembles concert. Join us on reading day for the final open colloquium of the semester.

Washington, D.C. Study Tour

Honors scholars will once again have the opportunity to explore the seat of United States government with insiders who can provide access to congressmen and senators. Students will tour the Mall, share dinner with area alumni, and tour the Capitol Building. A potential White House tour may be included.