On April 26, 2024, our department had the honor of hosting Dr. Ira J. Pitel, Founder and Engineer at Magna-Power Electronics and IEEE Life Fellow, for an insightful visit. Dr. Pitel founded Magna-Power Electronics in 1981 and served as President until 2019.

Dr. Pitel’s itinerary, overseen by Dr. Ehsani, began with a presentation on starting and managing a power electronics company. He shared valuable lessons learned over his career, emphasizing the importance of creating competitive products through vertical integration. The presentation included a virtual tour of Magna-Power’s integrated manufacturing processes.

Following this, Dr. Pitel engaged in a knowledge exchange session with Dr. Ehsani’s research group. Graduate students presented their research, receiving constructive feedback from Dr. Pitel and Dr. Ehsani. This interaction provided the students with invaluable guidance and inspiration.

The visit highlighted the long-term personal relationship between Dr. Pitel and Dr. Ehsani and showcased the rich exchange of scientific and technical insights. It was a day that fostered growth and inspiration for the next generation of researchers.

(Edited by Shuxuan Chen on July 23, 2024)