People Category: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2022

Eman Kawas

Throughout her career Eman Kawas has architected proof of value at a small scale and then developed a methodology to create scalable dynamic solutions. Eman’s path is focused on bringing industry 4.0 innovative technologies to the workplace with an eye on processes and people to maximize return on investment and increase technology adoption. After 15 years as a trusted advisor in technology consulting and implementation across different industries, Eman co-founded Thynkli, a digital twin services company that builds a digital twin of your organization, creating data-oriented interactions, accelerating digital transformation, and increasing the flexibility, quality, and productivity of your business.

Dan Isaacs

Dan Isaacs is a Chief Technical Officer of Digital Twin Consortium, where he is responsible for setting the technical direction, liaison partnerships and support for new memberships.

Previously, Dan was Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development at Xilinx where he was responsible for emerging technologies including machine learning, defining, and executing the ecosystem strategy for the Industrial IoT and Automotive Business. Dan also represented Xilinx for the Industry IoT Consortium (IIC). He has more than 25 years of experience working in automotive, mil/aero and consumer-based companies including Ford, NEC, LSI Logic and Hughes Aircraft.

Dan has been a keynote speaker and panelist for IIC World Forums, Industrial IOT Global conferences, Embedded World, Embedded Systems, and FPGA Conferences. Dan serves on international advisory boards. He holds degrees in Computer Engineering: EE from Cal State University, B.S. Geophysics from ASU.

Ahsan Choudhuri

Dr. Ahsan Choudhuri is the Associate Vice President of the Aerospace Center at The University of Texas at El Paso. The Aerospace Center has expanded beyond its initial research focus when Dr. Choudhuri founded it in 2009 as the Center for Space Exploration Technology Research. In partnership with NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and many industry partners, this premier, minority-serving research center explores new technologies and challenges in space, aeronautics, defense and energy using digital tools and skills that are transforming the way we design, build and test systems. Under Dr. Choudhuri’s leadership, the Aerospace Center has developed an expansive vision to exponentially expand our nation’s talent-force by unleashing new opportunities for students from every background and every zip code through cutting-edge, applied research in aerospace, defense and energy. Fully embracing UTEP’s commitment to access and excellence, the Aerospace Center has developed a student-centered model that is an engine of social and economic mobility for the students who are hired as research assistants.

Dr. Ahsan Choudhuri is an internationally renowned expert in aerospace and defense systems and has led the growth of UTEP’s aerospace, defense and energy education and research program from its infancy to a program that is nationally recognized. Under his leadership, the Aerospace Center has grown from a 3,000 square foot lab employing 30 students as research assistants to over 35,000 square feet in laboratory space and 8,000 acres of test facilities employing 200 students today. In 2021, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a new degree proposal by UTEP to establish a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering, and the Aerospace Center is developing the skills and curriculum for digital engineering which will transform the way we design and build the aerospace and defense systems of tomorrow. Dr. Choudhuri has formed strategic collaborations and partnerships with NASA, DOE, DOD, and aerospace and defense industries that have fueled the Aerospace Center’s growth and created unparrelled opportunities for students. His new mission focuses on leveraging the research preeminence of the Aerospace Center and our sister center, the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation, to create jobs and business opportunity in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing in El Paso. Dr. Choudhuri is a member of the Executive Committee of the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC), which supports NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. Dr. Choudhuri chairs the Urban Air Mobility Committee that advises the Texas legislature on a strategic and regulary framework to take advantage of the economic opportunities of unmanned aerial systems while ensuring maximum safety.

Dr. Choudhuri is a proud alumnus of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, where he received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Jeff Gajda

For over 20 years, Jeff Gajda has elevated quality performance, consolidated and developed key supplier partnerships to capitalize on volume and technology capabilities, countered competitive threats, and negotiated corporate contracts in leading global supply chain operations. As a results- and values-driven executive, he has led technology, industrial, and automotive companies in achieving profitability, efficiency, and productivity growth.

Using strong leadership and positive energy, Jeff has continually developed strategies and processes, executive-level partnerships, and workplace activities that resulted in best-in-class outcomes. Despite industrywide supply limitations, he has secured parts and materials, crafted strategic capacity agreements, orchestrated supplier quality enhancements, and leveraged global industry relationships.

Jeff’s supply chain expertise includes skills in international sourcing, supplier development, tactical negotiations, competitive responses, and disciplined approaches that lead to desired win-win outcomes. He is especially proud of his successes in building internal infrastructures and services from scratch and transforming underperforming organizations into world-class operations with loyal and hardworking team members.

In viewing the big picture, Jeff has decreased costs, boosted customer confidence, and spearheaded significant quality improvements through design, supply chain, and manufacturing simplifications.

Jeff is forward-looking with a focus on shaping a strong future while being disciplined and detail-oriented in meeting day-to-day goals. His passion is learning from personal experience and peer input, overcoming unexpected challenges and changing business priorities, and uplifting individuals.

Amanda VandePol

Amanda VandePol is a Portfolio Development Executive for Siemens Digital Industries Software (DISW) supporting Aerospace, Defense, Federal and Marine companies as they drive digital transformations across their enterprise and through their supply chains. Amanda joined Siemens DISW after two decades in the aerospace industry at GE Aviation. Amanda served in supply chain business operations and supply chain digital transformation. Prior to that, she held various roles through supply chain and engineering supporting both aircraft engine and avionics manufacturing. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a master’s in business administration from Grand Valley State University

Shweta Mulcare

Shweta Mulcare started her career at the National Institutes of Health, conducting research in neuroscience. She then examined patents for semiconductors at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Shweta has been with The MITRE Corporation for 12 years and spent the first half of her MITRE career developing fast time simulations for international sponsors. These models were designed to increase airspace and airport capacity while improving safety.  Shweta has worked with metroplex teams to optimize airspace procedures, with the FAA Office of Environment and Energy Research to minimize the environmental impacts of aviation, and for several years she has held leadership positions with the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program.

Shweta currently serves as the Outcome Lead for ASIAS and Advanced Analytics Evolution, and in this role enjoys fusing ideas and technology to transform the ways in which we interact safely with our environment.

Shweta lives in Falls Church, VA and enjoys hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains and cooking. She is a recipe tester for America’s Test Kitchen and plans to train with the Virginia Master Naturalist program in the Fall. Shweta holds a BSc in physics from GWU and is currently in GWU’s Doctor of Engineering program working with Zoe Szajnfarber