Dear friends of the Department, students, and colleagues,

Welcome to the Spring 2023 edition of Sparks. Departmental activities have increased tremendously now that the most serious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are over. Students have started to gather around the department student lounge in greater numbers and several presentations by internal and external speakers have taken place. We are all very resilient Razorbacks.

In this issue, you will read about efforts by Distinguished Professor Samir ElGhazaly to develop a symposium on Microwave & Antennas, IEEE IMAS, to provide opportunities for researchers and practitioners across Northern Africa to exchange information in this very important field. The first symposium IEEE IMAS 2023 took place in Cairo, Egypt, this past February 2023. Other activities include an effort by the UA Power Group to develop a silicon carbide (SiC) fab that will be a significant resource for UA researchers as well as external users. Professors Alan Mantooth and Yue Zhao had their traction inverter for electric aircrafts take its maiden flight. Professor Jingxian Wu and Mr. Robert Saunders are developing a sensor to measure the levels of dehydration in a hospital setting – great social impact of our profession.

The department received an important donation from Keysight Technologies in equipment for our undergraduate laboratories as well as research equipment for RF & microwave. Our undergraduate laboratories are definitely state of the art.

The department continues its recruiting efforts to attract more students into electrical engineering. An example is hosting a local troop of the Girl Scouts by the department chapter of IEEE Women in Engineering. In March 2023, we had an almost 50% increase in the number of first-year engineering students choosing our wonderful profession.

Thus, I welcome you to read our Spring 2023 edition of Sparks.

Warmest regards,

Juan Carlos Balda

University Professor and Department Head

Twenty-First Century Leadership Chair in Engineering

Dr. Juan Balda