My teaching philosophy is guided by three interconnected goals: sustaining the science and technology talent pipeline, preparing the semiconductor manufacturing workforce at all levels, and equipping students with both the knowledge and leadership capabilities needed to shape the future of microelectronics. Through my teaching, outreach, and workforce development efforts, I strive to create educational pathways that engage learners from high school and community college through undergraduate and graduate education and into the semiconductor workforce.
Equipping Students with Knowledge and Leadership Capabilities
The semiconductor industry has been shaped by Moore’s Law for more than six decades. During this period, advances in materials, devices, circuits, architectures, and software were often pursued within distinct disciplines, with the miniaturizing transistor serving as the dominant building block of modern computing. Higher education has largely evolved to support this disciplinary structure.
As the industry approaches the limits of traditional transistor scaling, however, future innovation increasingly depends on a holistic approach that integrates advances across the entire technology stack, from materials beyond silicon and emerging electronic, memory, and photonic devices to circuits, systems, and algorithms. Preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives required for this future demands an educational model that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.
My teaching seeks to develop convergent curricula and learning experiences that prepare students to become creative, adaptable, and innovative leaders in future microelectronics. At the University of Illinois, I have developed and implemented courses including MSE 460: Electronic Materials, MSE 403: Synthesis of Materials, and MSE 488: Optical Materials. Across these courses, I emphasize the connections among materials synthesis, processing, characterization, device implementation, and system-level performance. By helping students understand how materials decisions ultimately influence electronic and optoelectronic technologies, I enable them to think across disciplinary boundaries and develop a systems-level perspective. In recognition of my teaching efforts, I was named to the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students in 2023.
Preparing the Semiconductor Manufacturing Workforce
The rapid expansion of domestic semiconductor manufacturing has created an urgent workforce challenge. The Semiconductor Industry Association estimates that approximately 67,000 semiconductor-related positions may remain unfilled, while industry surveys indicate that a large majority (82%) of semiconductor executives report difficulty finding qualified talent. In particular, the growing number of semiconductor fabrication facilities in the United States has significantly increased demand for manufacturing technicians, who comprise a substantial portion of the fab workforce. Yet many community colleges lack the infrastructure, specialized facilities, and expertise required to establish comprehensive semiconductor technician training programs.
I have taken a leadership role in addressing this challenge by building partnerships among research universities, community colleges, and industry stakeholders. With support from the NSF Future Semiconductors program and the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Workforce Partner Alliance Program, I partnered with Parkland College and the Illinois Community College Board to create summer semiconductor technician training camps. These intensive three- to four-week experiential programs combine lectures with hands-on laboratory training and are offered to students at no cost.
The impact of these programs is reflected in student feedback. One participant reported, “I am switching my major from computer science to computer engineering to better align my career aspirations with the semiconductor industry.” Another noted, “It was a great program, and I can’t wait to send other students to participate.” These outcomes demonstrate the power of experiential learning to increase student engagement and create clear pathways into semiconductor careers.
Sustaining the Talent Pipeline
Developing the future semiconductor workforce requires engagement long before students enter college. National survey carried out jointly by the Junior Achievement USA and Ernst & Young showed only 24% of boys and 11% of girls in U.S. want a STEM career, which is echoed in the proportion of U.S. STEM bachelor’s degrees declining steadily over years. At the same time, many students who do pursue engineering and science degrees remain unaware of the breadth of career opportunities available in microelectronics, despite the field’s growing importance and its need for expertise spanning multiple engineering disciplines.
Research experiences are among the most effective ways to inspire students to pursue STEM education and careers. To help strengthen the talent pipeline, I have devoted significant effort to providing research opportunities for high school students. During the past three years, I have mentored five students from institutions including the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Centennial High School, Lake Oswego High School, Byram Hills High School, and Cupertino High School, partly through the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program. These students contributed meaningfully to ongoing research projects, became co-authors on scholarly publications, and ultimately committed to pursuing STEM careers.
I have also worked to expand awareness of semiconductor career opportunities among university students. For example, I organized Semiconductor Day at the University of Illinois in partnership with the SEMI Foundation Midwest Chapter. It featured a panel discussion titled “Ask Me Anything: A Day in the Life of a Semiconductor Industry Professional”, which included representatives from TSMC, IBM, Tokyo Electron (TEL), and Polar Semiconductor. I also co-hosted a fireside chat featuring Rose Castanares, President of TSMC Arizona, which was open to students across the Grainger College of Engineering. By connecting students directly with industry leaders, these events help demystify career pathways and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Looking Forward
My educational mission extends beyond the classroom. I aspire to build an integrated ecosystem for semiconductor education that connects outreach, workforce development, undergraduate and graduate education, and research training. By sustaining the talent pipeline, preparing the manufacturing workforce, and equipping students with the knowledge, creativity, leadership skills, and convergent perspective necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving field, I seek to contribute to both the future of microelectronics and the broader societal impact of engineering education.