Conference

UPRM ENGINEERING COMMUNITY SUMMIT

ECoS 2025

It is with great pride that we announce the Engineering Community Summit (ECoS) on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Throughout the years, our School of Engineering has been a prolific source of professionals that have paved the transformation of our society.

ECoS provides companies the opportunity to promote their work, give students, faculty, and engineering professionals the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in STEM related fields, and serve as a catalyst for strengthening relations between university, industry, and community.(See ECoS_2024_Report)

Save the date on your calendar!!

STEM Relevant Topics

Resume Book

Renowned Speakers

Student Sponsorships

See you on October 11, 2025!

Conference Schedule

7:00am - 8:00am Registration & Breakfast @ Students Center - Sponsored by L3Harris

Welcome & Plenary Session #1

8:00am – 8:30am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speakers: UPRM Officials & ECoS Team

8:30am – 9:30am

Topic: Leadership in Engineering

Description

Leadership isn’t a one-size fits all concept. We all have a preferred style that defines us as a leader, and we continuously need to revisit our approach depending on the circumstance in front of us. When you were little, you might have heard adults say, “look at this kid, what a natural leader!” every time a kid influenced others. Leadership can come organically while also learned and continuously enhanced. Everyone can develop leadership potential. In the end, leadership is a combination of guiding and influencing others towards a common goal. During this conversation, Tamara will share what she has learned through her journey as a leader at Pratt & Whitney.

Speaker: Tamara González, Associate Director – P&W Puerto Rico

Place: Anfiteatro Física B

9:40am - 10:30am Block 1

Topic: Advancing technology deployment with AI

Abstract.

Speakers: Wilfredo Tello (Principal Engineer-Engineering Analytics),Gustavo A. Rodriguez-Mercado (B.S. Electrical Engineering), Jadiel Garcia-Jimenez (B.S. Electrical Engineering)

Place: Industrial Engineering 229

Topic: From Internship to Industry – Our Journey with TRC

Abstract.

Have you ever wondered how a college internship can turn into a full- me remote engineering job? Join us as we share our personal story—how a hands-on internship and a referral eventually led to a professional role at TRC. We’ll walk through the key moments of our journey and how the transition from academia to industry was possible. Along the way, we’ll explore real stories tied to storm response, language barriers as Latino engineers, adapting to state and utility regulations from PR to FL, NC, and SC, and respecting local environmental policies, and how teamwork and innovation helped us grow.

Speaker: Dem Ele III Santiago-Santiago

Speaker Ruben E. Leoncio-Caban

Place: Industrial Engineering 204

Topic: Flight Controls Basics

Abstract.

This presentation traces the evolution of rotary-wing flight from Leonardo da Vinci’s early concepts through Igor Sikorsky’s pioneering helicopters, establishing the historical foundation of modern vertical-lift aircraft. It then introduces the fundamental aerodynamics governing helicopter performance—angle of attack, lift, thrust, the principal aerodynamic forces, and torque compensation—and explains how the pilot manipulates these variables using the collective, cyclic, and anti-torque (yaw) controls. A detailed overview of autorotation follows, highlighting its role in safe emergency descents and illustrating the inherent engineering trade-offs of rotorcraft, namely limited forward speed, payload capacity, and operational range. The final segment links these constraints to current research and development initiatives at Sikorsky, showcasing emerging technologies—advanced blade designs, heavy-transportation flight system, and adaptive flight-control algorithms—that aim to extend the performance envelope of future helicopters. The talk provides a comprehensive, yet concise, synthesis of past achievements, core flight-control principles, and forward-looking solutions that are shaping the next generation of vertical-lift platforms.BA

Presenter: Pedro E. Gonzalez

Place: Stefani 216

10:30am - 11:00am Morning Break @ Students Center - Sponsored by Verizon

11:00am - 11:50am Block 2

Topic: Workshop on teamwork, innovation, and practical application

Abstract.

This project involves the design and development of a Mechanical Arm Transport (MAT) system to efficiently move engine parts across a designated area. University engineering students will apply principles of mechanical design to create a robust and precise solution. The project emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and practical application of engineering concepts, preparing students for real-world designing, manufacturing and automation challenges while improving process time efficiency.

.Speaker: Carlos Wah, P&W

Place: Stefani 216

Topic: Design Thinking” how to use it to transform your ideas into realities.

Abstract

Join P&G to find out about the process of “Design Thinking” and how to use this to transform your ideas into realities. Come to learn about product innovation: from defining who your customer is, all the way to testing ideas and concepts to evaluate if you have a winning proposition.

Speaker:

Lydia Marshall

Senior Engineer, Oral Care R&D Global Products Research

Place: Industrial Engineering 204

Topic: Your Future in a Medical Device Industry | Strategic Tools for Emerging Engineers.

Abstract

As the medical device industry continues to evolve, emerging engineers must be equipped with the right tools to navigate complex product development and effectively manage the lifecycle of our products. This session introduces key strategic methodologies used at Medtronic and Medtronic MiniMed, including First Time Quality (FTQ), Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), Process and Equipment Validation (PV and CSV), and structured Problem Solving. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these tools are applied to ensure product excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement—empowering the next generation of engineers to shape the future of healthcare.

Speakers:

Idiana Matos Rolón, P.E., Sr. Engineering Manager, Medtronic

Alexander Collado Méndez | Sr. Engineering Supervisor

Carlos Carrion Rodriguez | Engineering Manager (Supplier Quality)

Juan Gomez | Sr. Process Engineer

Carmen García Díaz | Quality Systems Manager

Place: Industrial Engineering 229

11:50am - 1:00pm Lunch Break @ Students Center - Sponsored by Lilly

Plenary Session #2

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Title: Smarter Space Systems: Automation vs Autonomy

Description:

This talk will introduce the concepts of automation and autonomy, highlighting their differences and areas of overlap. We will begin with common examples, such as driver-assist cars, and then connect these ideas to space applications, including command and control as well as data processing. The presentation will provide students with an understanding of current technology trends and the development of smarter space systems.

Speaker: PJ Sanchez, Space Ground Solutions Chief Engineer

Place: Anfiteatro Física B

2:10pm - 3:00pm Block 3

Topic: From Curiosity to Impact: A Puerto Rican Journey in Science & Engineering

In this talk, Ricardo will share key lessons from his path: the value of discipline and study habits, the importance of career-defining decisions, and the courage to take risks that open doors to growth. He will cover his experiences leading multi-hundred-million-dollar programs, the role of giving back through mentoring, and why emotional intelligence and putting people first are essential for true leadership..

Speaker:

Ricardo Rodríguez, RTX

Place: Stefani 113

Topic: Engineering Ethics: Cybersecurity – An Introduction

Description:

The presentation is interactive and Lara will engage the audience through the various topics below:

Cybersecurity – protection of your electronic devices from digital attacks.

How to Practice – Identify your assets, identify value of assets, document impact loss or damage of assets, identify loss or harm, and prioritize our mitigation activities.

Faces of Cybersecurity – Chief Information Security Officer, Engineer, Threat Intelligence Analysts, Security Operations Center Analyst, Penetration Tester, Information System Security Manager, and more.

Speakers: Lara Tilford – SubDivision IT Manager

Nelson Feliciano – UPRM Alumnus/Field Engineer

Emily Burchhardt – HR Talent Acquisition Recruiter

Place: Industrial Engineering 229

3:00pm - 3:30pm Afternoon Break @ Students Center - Sponsored by Lockheed Martin

Plenary Session #3

3:30pm – 4:30pm

Topic: Technical Leadership for Impact and Growth

Description:

Technical leadership starts with technical knowledge but requires guiding teams with vision, strategy, and mentorship. Effective technical leaders maintain technical expertise, embrace continuous learning, foster collaboration, and apply critical and strategic thinking to solve problems and align technical initiatives with business goals. Learning and developing these skills early in your career is crucial, as it can significantly enhance your professional growth by positioning you as a trusted expert, increasing your influence within your organization, opening opportunities for advancement, and enabling you to drive impactful change in your field. In this session, the speaker will also share real-life examples of technical leadership to illustrate these concepts in action.

Speaker: Gloria Díaz – Senior Director TS/MS Lilly

Place: Anfiteatro Física B

Connections - Sponsored by P&W

4:30pm – 6:00pm

Talk with company professionals and learn about their experiences.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to expand your network!