The Mentors Radio Show

The Mentors Radio Show


351. Cutting-Edge Technology and the Fascinating Future of Engineering with Guest Mentor Al Pisano and Host Tom Loarie

December 16, 2023


In this episode, The Mentors Radio Host Tom Loarie talks with Al Pisano, Dean of the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego), Jacobs School of Engineering, about technology, trends in technology, trends in STEM education and where the demand for engineers will be the greatest over the next decade. Dr. Pisano, a highly accomplished mechanical engineer, has been in the UC system for more than 41 years, the last 11 years as Dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering. Under Dr. Pisano’s leadership the school exploded in growth from 5,800 students to 9,000, making it one of the largest public engineering school in the nation—the largest public engineering school in California—and ranked as one of the best engineering programs in the country.  He raised nearly $400 million for the school and expanded its research from computer chips to earthquake-proof buildings, to flying taxis. Pisano is listed as a co-inventor on more than 20 patents, has authored or co-authored more than 190 archival publications and founded and co-founded 10 start-ups in Medtech and Tech. A co-founder of 10 companies, Pisano is dedicated to translating engineering breakthroughs for the benefit of society. In 2000, for example, he co-founded Mercator MedSystems with UC Berkeley doctoral student Kirk Seward in order to commercialize their MEMS-enabled breakthrough in medical device design and manufacturing. Today, the company’s medical devices are used around the world to deliver drugs, stem cells and other therapies to tissues at precise locations deep with the body. What’s next? In this episode Dr. Pisano talks about the future of engineering, key trends in technology and cutting edge technology. For those considering a career in engineering, the future looks bright, plentiful and fascinating! For the rest of us, there’s plenty to glean from this lively, innovative conversation.



SHOW NOTES:

AL PISANO, PhD: