Virginia Tech Faculty and Students Participate in UPWARDS Graduate Workshop at Boise State University
In April 2025, a group of Virginia Tech graduate students including Shirazush Salekin Chowdhury, Md Rubel Sarkar, Purv Bavishi, Chuan Xiao, and Meysam Sohani Darban traveled with Dr. Yang "Cindy" Yi and Dr. Luke Lester to Boise State University to participate in the UPWARDS Graduate Student Workshop.
Workshop
The week-long event brought together graduate students from 11 partner universities across Japan and the United States for a series of interactive sessions, research exchanges, and industry engagements. Students participated in workshops on materials modeling, semiconductor processing, reliability, and microelectronics design, as well as professional development sessions such as Intellectual Property, Work-Life Balance, and Career Focus in Microelectronics.
Tours and Technical Sessions
A highlight of the week was the tour and discussion at Micron Technology, where students explored the latest advancements in DRAM, cleanroom practices, and sustainable manufacturing. They also took part in poster presentations, networking sessions, and the “Chips & Salsa” evening. In addition, students joined technical sessions hosted by Tokyo Electron (TEL) professionals, gaining valuable insights into equipment supplier operations, innovation, and global semiconductor career opportunities.
Valuable Experience
“It was an incredible opportunity to connect with peers and experts from both academia and industry,” said Shirazush Salekin Chowdhury, a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering at Virginia Tech. “The sessions broadened our technical perspective and inspired us to think about innovation at a global scale.”
More to Come!
The workshop concluded with Student Union Building Games Center activities, including bowling, billiards, and other recreational events that fostered connection and teamwork among students from partner universities.
Through the UPWARDS for the Future program, Virginia Tech continues to strengthen its partnerships with leading institutions and industry collaborators to advance semiconductor education and develop the next generation of the global workforce.
