Our School of Engineering & Computing welcomed a season rich with connection, discovery, and professional growth. From national engineering conferences to hands-on leadership and industry networking opportunities, this fall was filled with meaningful experiences across the school. Check out some fall-semester highlights below.
Female Engineering Students Thrive at Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference
On October 25, 2025, Ana Estrada, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, led a group of aspiring female engineering students to the SWE WE25 Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the world’s largest event for women and allies in STEM, WE25 brought together more than 50,000 members from 85 countries for an unparalleled career and professional development experience.
Fairfield students participated in more than 200 technical sessions, expert-led panels, and affinity-group meetups. “The SWE Convention offers a uniquely welcoming community for women in engineering,” Dr. Estrada said. “The entire event is centered on supporting one another’s growth, and the students immediately noticed how encouraging and collaborative the environment was.”
Dr. Estrada noted that the students were fully engaged throughout the conference and “left feeling energized about engineering and their future.” She added that they gained meaningful networking and interviewing experience, with several securing follow-up conversations with companies, and that they also benefited from connecting with SWE chapters at other universities.
As the leading global advocate for women in engineering since 1950, SWE continues to provide early-career professionals with opportunities to strengthen communication skills, deepen industry awareness, participate in one of the largest and best attended career fairs, and to understand what employers are seeking: empowering students to navigate the engineering landscape with confidence and purpose.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
On October 29, nine Fairfield University students participated in the SHPE National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to their site, this national event promotes Hispanic excellence in STEM, featuring workshops, networking sessions, competitions, and career development opportunities.
“The SHPE National Convention provides an excellent opportunity and venue where our students can network with companies from all over the country. It also highlights the accomplishments and trajectories of Hispanic leaders who serve as inspirational role models to our students,” Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing, Andres Carrano, PhD, said.
Exploring the Future of Healthcare at the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California
The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting brought together more than 5,500 attendees in San Diego, uniting leaders, researchers, and students dedicated to advancing healthcare through engineering innovation. As the leading professional community in the field, representing more than 25,000 members across academia, industry, and clinical practice, BMES showcased emerging technologies and scientific breakthroughs that, Dr. Estrada noted, “will help improve healthcare for all people.”
This year’s theme, Bridging Healthcare Gaps: The Role of Biomedical Engineering, emphasized the responsibility of biomedical engineers to advance human well-being, whether by improving treatment options or developing more accessible medical technologies.
Dr. Estrada brought biomedical engineering majors to experience the conference firsthand.
The BMES Annual Meeting offered biomedical engineering students an energizing, eye-opening experience. They explored a wide range of exciting research across the field and discovered new topics they are eager to study in upcoming courses. Many returned with fresh ideas for their own projects and an increased passion for biomedical engineering.
Students also engaged with cutting-edge research shaping the field’s future. Dr. Estrada highlighted a standout session on “how we can incorporate artificial intelligence into medical diagnostics and how AI can help support scientists and physicians.”
Building Connections and Leadership at the Tau Beta Pi National Convention
This fall, Fairfield University senior and electrical engineering major Ryan Van Allen, president of Fairfield’s Connecticut Delta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, represented the University at the society’s annual Tau Beta Pi Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Founded in 1885, Tau Beta Pi (TBP) is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second-oldest collegiate honor society overall. The annual convention brings together delegates from chapters nationwide to conduct the organization’s business, oversee governance matters, select award winners, and vote on petitions from universities seeking new chapters. This year, Van Allen served on the Public Relations Committee, collaborating with students from universities across the country to produce a national recruitment video for Tau Beta Pi.
At Fairfield, the chapter is advised by Susan Freudzon, PhD, professor of practice in electrical and biomedical engineering, who supports student leadership and engagement through Tau Beta Pi.
The convention also provided opportunities for networking with other students and industry professionals within the engineering field. For members of Tau Beta Pi, who pledge to uphold integrity, professionalism, and service to the public good through the “Obligation of the Engineer,” the convention reinforced the society’s commitment to academic excellence and ethical leadership.
