IEEE-USA News: A Word from the WISE

By Chris Brantley

Three U.S. IEEE student members have traded their summer vacations for the opportunity to participate in the highly touted Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE). Jennifer “Jenni” Christensen of the South Dakota School of Mines; Kathleen Young of the University of South Carolina; and Tricia Um of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have joined a select group of 12 interns drawn from various engineering disciplines to spend 10 weeks in Washington, D.C. While here, they will meet with government decision-makers and advocacy group leaders to learn how technology-related public policy is made. Each WISE intern focuses on a specific topic of interest and prepares and presents a paper on that topic.

This year’s all-female group of IEEE-sponsored interns marks a first for the WISE program. IEEE-USA Today’s Engineer caught up with the interns, who started their program on 2 June:

What topic will you focus on during your WISE internship?

Jenni Christensen: I'll focus on cyber security research and development. Ultimately, my report will include an overview of current cyber security R&D, including the government’s investment; and an assessment of the effectiveness of that investment. I’ll consider weaknesses in the policy, research holes, organizational problems and funding issues, in particular.

Kathleen Young: I'll be researching the need for more effective spectrum use; the problems encountered when trying to use spectrum efficiently; the technological solutions available; and the ways those solutions should be encouraged, defined and regulated. The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunication and Information Administration are looking for new ways to deal with escalating spectrum needs to meet increasing demand. New technologies, such as spread spectrum techniques, cognitive radios and interference temperature gauging make spectrum use more flexible and present solutions to spectrum shortage. These technologies are also shaping radio spectrum policy and have been the cause of political debate related to how they should be encouraged, defined and regulated.

Tricia Um: I'll look at the societal and regulatory issues regarding neural prostheses, electronic devices that can simulate neuron activity. Currently, the National Institutes of Health and DARPA are researching memory regeneration, artificial limbs and sensory restoration. I’ll explore proposed regulations on testing — especially with respect to receiving consent from mentally impaired subjects — as well as the follow-up procedures that may be necessary to complete clinical trials. I’m also interested in discrimination and privacy issues. What types of brain activity can or cannot be monitored? If test subjects regain full use of their physical or mental capacities, should they still fall under disabilities protections? How does one deal with discrimination in the workforce or in education? How should government address the controversy over enhancement?

The related technology is fascinating. It has enormous potential as a medical application to provide treatment for such “incurable” diseases as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. However, the policy implications of neural prostheses have not been researched sufficiently. In discussing these topics, I hope to spark some thought on the long-reaching effects of this research, not just the technical details.

Why did you choose your college major?

Tricia Um: I did some research for a lab at UCLA and got interested in engineering and computer applications. At MIT, I started out as an EECS major because I liked the department and the students. And while it was challenging and interesting, I wanted to add another layer to my education. I decided that having some business knowledge and management skills would be useful, so I’m now majoring in EECS and management.

Kathleen Young: My father is an electrical engineer and he thought I would enjoy it. I decided to stick with it because I realized with an engineering degree I could find success in almost any line of work, whether it is law or international business or government employment. I also thought the idea of the Fourier series was absolutely brilliant. Who would have thought so much information could be crammed into something we can't even see!

Jenni Christensen: My dad influenced my choice to be an electrical engineer. He owns his own business installing temperature control systems in large buildings. He would take me with him to work as a child and let me “help.” I was fascinated by everything he did. My dad was a great teacher as well; he was always happy to explain things, and I asked a lot of questions. Also, I had many great math teachers leading up to college who helped inspire and challenge me while keeping math fun.

What interests you about public policy?

Kathleen Young: My interest in public policy stems from my grandfather’s involvement in government (he was an electrical engineer, too). He was involved in town politics in one way or another for more than half of his life. During family discussions, I would hear how he voted on the most recent issues and what he thought the town should be progressing toward. I would see how his vote affected me — new shops and stoplights, or more money for the recreation department. As a youngster — and even more now — I am aware of the important role public policy and politicians play in everyday life.

Jenni Christensen: I think public policy is fascinating because so many factors go into every decision. It can be frustrating and difficult to understand when things happen that you don’t agree with, but that's all part of the system. I think being in Washington will help me understand the complexities between the lines.

Tricia Um: Public policy is all-encompassing. Doctors, lawyers, politicians, business leaders and engineers all work toward the same goals. Technology policy is particularly interesting because it gives a human face to technology. One has to keep in mind the interests of the general public while still considering the demands of other society sectors, such as business.

What do you hope to gain from or do with the WISE experience?

Tricia Um: I hope that WISE will be a great learning experience. I want to know what factors policy-makers consider, who is involved, and how societal and business expectations shape the way that policy is made. I like the idea of being able to apply my technical knowledge and create an impact in more than just a technological way.

Kathleen Young: I hope to gain an inside perspective on issues affecting America today and leave with a better understanding of how decision-makers determine public policy.

Jenni Christensen: I hope to learn a lot about public policy and about my particular topic. I believe networking is an important key to being successful, and I am looking forward to meeting a lot of people from different areas of government and the private sector. Also, I love Washington and look forward to exploring everything it has to offer.

The WISE Program

Christensen, Young and Um represent the next generation of U.S. IEEE members: young engineers with cross-cutting interests, who are comfortable in both the worlds of technology and public policy. The WISE program seeks to provide them with a unique experience, and help groom them as future engineering profession leaders.

The papers this year’s interns prepare will be published online this fall in the WISE Journal of Engineering & Public Policy (http://www.wise-intern.org/research.html).

IEEE-USA, the IEEE’s Technical Activities Board, and the IEEE Life Members Committee will sponsor three IEEE U.S. student members for the Summer 2004 WISE program. Applications will be sought in Fall 2003. For more information, visit the WISE website at http://www.wise-intern.org.

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Chris Brantley is IEEE-USA’s director of government relations and operations.