Partnership for Advancing Research Capacity in Semiconductors at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (PARCS-HBCU)

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We are thrilled to announce that Kayvon Adderley, a remarkable student from Central State University, has been recognized with the prestigious Student Achievement Award in Microelectronics by the HBCU CHIPS Network. Kayvon distinguished himself by being the only undergraduate recipient this year, sharing this honor with two graduate students. He is set to receive a $1,000 cash prize during the 2025 HBCU CHIPS Network Conference, which will take place on April 3rd and 4th at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Over the last two years, under the guidance of Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh, Kayvon has been deeply involved in several computational projects. His dedication to enhancing his research capabilities was clearly demonstrated through his presentations at two American Physical Society Conferences (link 1, link 2). His academic and practical skills were also recognized last year when he was selected for an Intel-sponsored summer internship at SUNY Binghamton. Continuing his impressive trajectory, Kayvon has been chosen again for the highly competitive 2025 internship program at the University of Michigan.

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Kayvon’s outstanding achievements not only showcase his dedication and talent but also reflect the excellence of our academic offerings, including our NSF-funded PARCS semiconductor project. His success underscores the supportive, enriching environment that our university is committed to providing for all its students.

We are immensely proud of Kayvon and eagerly anticipate his future successes. Congratulations, Kayvon, on your well-deserved recognition!

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The PARCS project is excited to announce that three of its members will be chairing technical sessions at the upcoming HBCU CHIPS Network Conference. The conference will be held on April 3-4 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. More details about the conference can be found on the official website.

The sessions will highlight cutting-edge topics in quantum technology, photonics, and sustainability within the industry. Here are the details of the sessions and the PARCS project members who will be leading them:

• Dr. Demetris Geddis will co-chair the “Quantum and Photonics” session on April 3rd.

• Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh will co-chair the “Quantum and Photonics” session on April 4th.

• Dr. Mike Curry will co-chair the “Applications & Sustainability Industry Tutorials” session on April 4th.

The participation of our PARCS project members underscores their leadership and commitment to advancing scientific research and collaboration across the HBCU network. This conference is an excellent opportunity for attendees to engage with experts and gain insights into the future of microelectronics and photonics.

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The PARCS project is proud to announce that the lead PI, Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh, played a crucial role in both organizing and participating in a panel at the 1st IEEE Conference on Secure and Trustworthy Cyberinfrastructure for IoT and Microelectronics (SaTC 2025). Dr. Hadizadeh, joined by Dr. Michael L. Curry, NCAT’s PI, and three other key HBCU CHIPS Network members, significantly contributed to the panel discussion at the conference.

Panel Details:

• Title: Empowering Innovation: Leveraging HBCU Expertise in Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, Semiconductors, and Beyond
• Date and Time: Thursday, February 27, from 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM
• Conference Website: https://www.satcconf.com

The panel underscored the vital role Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play in advancing the fields of semiconducors and microelectronics, highlighting their strategic partnerships with non-HBCUs and industry entities.

Discussion Highlights Included:

1. HBCU Research Excellence in Microelectronics: The panel showcased cutting-edge research and innovation driven by HBCUs in fields like microelectronics and semiconductors.
2. Cross-Disciplinary Collaborative Initiatives and Industry Partnerships: The discussion examined successful collaborations that drive innovation and provide real-world STEM opportunities for students, emphasizing inclusivity and equitable preparation for the future workforce.
3. Advancing Diversity in Technology Fields: The contributions of HBCUs to broadening diversity within STEM were highlighted, providing pathways for underrepresented students in fields such as microelectronics and computer engineering.

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Panel Moderator and Panelists:

Moderator: Dr. Steven Bibyk, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University

Panelists:

• Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh, Central State University
• Dr. Michael L. Curry, North Carolina A&T State University
• Dr. Suxia Cui, Prairie View A&M University
• Dr. Daniel Vrinceanu, Texas Southern University
• Dr. George White, Sr., Georgia Institute of Technology

The PARCS team is proud to have made a significant contribution to the SaTC 2025 conference and is eager to continue exploring and expanding innovative and inclusive approaches in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry.

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The PARCS project team is proud to celebrate Dr. Mike Curry’s recent appointment as the inaugural Tech Transfer & Commercialization Fellow at the Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEE&I) at North Carolina A&T State University. In this pivotal role, Dr. Curry will leverage his extensive experience in nanoengineering and his commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship to guide university researchers from the lab to the marketplace. This appointment not only underscores CEE&I’s dedication to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and commercialization but also aligns with Dr. Curry’s ongoing work with the PARCS project, enhancing our mission to bridge academic research with real-world applications. Dr. Curry’s leadership is expected to significantly advance the PARCS project’s goals of driving innovation and supporting the commercialization of sustainable, groundbreaking technologies.

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Oct. 2024 -- We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Michael Curry, a valued member of the PARCS-HBCU team and a faculty member in the Department of Nanoengineering at North Carolina A&T State University, has been honored with the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This prestigious award is given to those who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity within the chemical sciences community. Dr. Curry’s efforts to foster an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports a diverse range of scholars and students have been recognized at a national level. The award not only highlights Dr. Curry’s commitment to excellence but also underscores the impact of his work in creating meaningful opportunities for underrepresented groups in the sciences. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to continuing to support his outstanding work in advancing diversity and inclusion within the chemical sciences and beyond.

For more information about Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity, please visit the ACS website at https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/stanley-israel-regional-award-for-advancing-diversity.html.

October 14, 2024 – This Monday marked an exciting beginning for the PARCS HBCU project as team members from seven partnering HBCUs gathered virtually to set the stage for a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing educational and research opportunities in semiconductors. The kickoff meeting, chaired by the lead Principal Investigator, Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh, was held via Microsoft Teams. This inaugural session brought together not only the core team members but also Dr. Calvin Briggs, the project's external evaluator, to discuss and strategize the comprehensive agenda of the project.

Meeting Highlights

The session commenced with introductions, setting a collaborative tone. The agenda was extensive, covering key project aspects:

• Project Overview: A concise outline of objectives setting the framework for what the PARCS-HBCU project aims to achieve.
• Collaborative Projects: Discussion on various initiatives including research projects, summer camps, student training, lab enhancements, curriculum development, and outreach.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Identification of lead roles and support mechanisms for each activity, along with contributions expected from each institution.
• Goal Setting: Establishment of short-term, measurable goals to ensure project alignment and success.
• Resource Overview: An overview of available resources and a briefing on the new project website.
• Management and Evaluation Plans: Outlining of project management strategies and evaluation metrics to be facilitated by Dr. Briggs.

Key takeaways included the scheduling of bi-weekly team meetings and a strategic planning session slated for early November. The importance of proper grant acknowledgment and the need for IRB approvals for data collection were emphasized.

Strategic Planning and Partnerships

The meeting also highlighted the importance of dissemination and industrial partnerships:

• Project Dissemination: Plans were made to develop a conference centered around industry partners and HBCUs and a virtual symposium to introduce the PARCS initiative.
• Industrial Partnerships: Potential collaborations with key semiconductor companies were discussed, leveraging the CHIPS network to foster long-term sustainability and partnerships.

Moving Forward

Dr. Briggs has agreed to facilitate the strategic planning meetings and draft a template for regular progress reports. A focus will also be on setting up efficient communication channels and regular updates through the project’s web platform. The meeting wrapped up with feedback from participants and a clear outline of the next steps including the preparation of an advisory board list, coordination of internal research team meetings, and establishment of a recurring meeting schedule in Outlook.

• Position Title: Project Manager in Semiconductor Technology
• Department: College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (CESTA)
• Job Location: Central State University, Wilberforce, OH
• Schedule: Full-time
• Duration: 3 years (36-month fixed term contract)
• Benefits Provided: Yes
• Position Category: Staff - Monthly (Exempt)

Position Summary

The College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture at Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio) invites applications for a three-year Project Manager (PM) in Semiconductor Technology position to support the planned activities under multiple funded research projects aimed at education, research, workforce development, curriculum development, laboratory infrastructure development, and sustainability activities in the fields of semiconductors. The position is scheduled to commence immediately.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare, submit, and archive regular reports, budgets, and documents for easy access and compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Meetings and Collaborations: Organize and facilitate regular virtual and in-person meetings with internal team members and academic and industrial partners, using collaborative tools for efficient task management across multiple projects.
• Communication: Develop and maintain promotional materials and communication platforms, including CSU's Semiconductor website, to showcase and publish educational and research findings.
• Administrative Support: Manage daily project operations and financial documents for equipment procurement, staff hiring, and travel, the approval and auditing of the curriculum, and ensuring compliance with university and sponsor processes.
• Management of Semiconductor Labs: Manage and assist in the operation of CSU’s semiconductor-related labs, including the Microfabrication Lab, Semiconductor Simulation Lab, and FPGA/VR Labs.
• Support for Proposal Development, Research Writing, and Student Mentorship: Provide administrative and technical support to research faculty in preparing proposals for relevant grant opportunities to secure new or additional funding. Additionally, assist research faculty in supervising student research assistants, and guiding and reviewing technical research reports, articles, and conference presentations.
• Workshops & Outreach Activities: Coordinate and manage internships, educational training sessions, outreach events, and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

An earned M.Sc. or equivalent degree in any area of STEM including Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, or related fields, or Business Administration with a focus on Technology Management from an accredited college or university is required at the time of appointment, and at least 3 years of experience in a similar role is required at the time of appointment. The successful candidate must demonstrate a keen interest in and extensive experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, along with a proven track record of effectively working in culturally diverse environments within the university and team settings.

Preferred Qualifications

A candidate with a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering, Business Administration with a focus on Technology Management, or related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicant

Qualified candidates should submit the following materials through the Central State University job portal at https://careers.centralstate.edu/postings/7884:

• CV, 
• Cover Letter, 
• Names and contact information for three professional references,
• Unofficial copy of educational transcript(s).

Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than November 29, 2024. Early response is encouraged. 

Please direct any questions about this position to Dr. Mohammadreza Hadizadeh at mhadizadeh@centralstate.edu.