About the Speaker

Dr. Karen Panetta is a Fellow of the IEEE. Dr. Panetta received the B.S. in Computer Engineering from Boston University, and the M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine. She serves as the 2011 Chair of the IEEE Boston Section. During 2009-2007, she served as the World Wide Director for IEEE Women in Engineering, which has over 300 chapters in 53 countries.

She is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University and Director of the Simulation Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on developing efficient algorithms for simulation, modeling, signal and image processing for security and biomedical applications. Her projects with her students have helped track and diagnose millions of children in India afflicted with Autism and blindness. Their work has had a profound effect on government policies and has helped bring awareness and provide proper aid to these children. She is also the Chief Research Scientist of BA Logix Inc., which was founded based on Dr. Panetta’s Intellectual Property. Dr. Panetta is the founder of the award winning Nerd Girls program, which celebrates the individuality and “beauty of brains” all in an effort to inspire young girls to pursue math, science and engineering while breaking stereotypes of smart individuals.

Before joining the faculty at Tufts, Dr. Panetta was employed as a computer engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation. Her research in Simulation and Modeling has won her research team five awards from NASA for “Outstanding Contributions to NASA Research” and “Excellence in Research”. She is a NASA Langley Research Scientist “JOVE” Fellow, is a recipient of the NSF Career Award and won the 2003 Fischer Best Engineering Teacher Award. Dr. Panetta was also awarded a Mass High Tech All-Star by Mass High Tech Magazine. She is a recipient of the “Be The Change” award from the Massachusetts Conference for Women. She is the 2009 Norm Augustine Award recipient from the American Association of Engineering Societies and the 2011 recipient of the Anita Borg Institute, Women of Vision Award and the 2011 IEEE Harriet Rigas Award for Education. In 2010, the IEEE recognized Karen with the IEEE Educational Activities Board, Major Educational Innovation Award. She is a senior member of SWE.

About the Sponsor

Athena Health is transforming the health care industry by helping doctors better manage their practices, their patients, and their cash flow. Their innovative cloud-based web applications have become the premier choice for thousands of medical practices across the country. In 2010, Athena Health was named to Fast Company Magazine's "Fast 50" list of the world's most innovative companies.

Come join us in revolutionizing the health care process. We offer a fresh, friendly, and fun work environment where creativity is nourished and cultivated. We are a successful, stable company ready for the challenge of new growth and new products. And we need your help.

Job Opportunities at Athena Health

Athena Health is currently hiring! Please check out the following available job postings:

• Program Management Associate
• Senior User Experience Designer
• Software Developer
• Technical Project Associate
• AI Associate

If interested, please apply online at Careers at Athena Health and email your resume to swebos@sweboston.org. Please reference SWE Boston when asked about how you heard of Athena Health. Athena Health representatives will also be present at this meeting to answer questions about these opportunities.

Directions and Parking

Directions to Tufts Campus:

From points southwest, west, and northwest:
Follow Route 128 (also called I-95), and proceed to its inter-section with Route 2. Proceed east on Route 2 to the junction of Routes 2 and 16. Turn left onto Route 16 east(Alewife Brook Parkway). Follow Route 16 through two full traffic lights. Take the next right, a sharp turn, onto Powder House Boulevard. Take your third left onto Packard Avenue. You are now on the Tufts campus.

From Boston, points south, and the South Shore:
Follow the Southeast Expressway (Route 3 north) to I-93 north to Exit 31 (Mystic Valley Parkway/Medford Square). Follow the exit ramp to Medford Square. At the blinker at the end of the ramp, turn left onto Main Street. *Follow Main Street straight for approximately 3/10 of a mile. Turn right onto George Street, then left onto College Avenue. Proceed through the intersection with Boston Avenue (just over the railroad bridge). The next right will be Professors Row, which leads onto campus.

From points north via Routes 1, 3, 28, I-93, or I-95
The recommended approach is via Route 128 (also called I-95), to its intersection with I-93. Go south on I-93 to Exit 32, Medford Square. Proceed to the center of the square, turn left onto Main Street, and refer to the directions in the preceding paragraph.*

Tufts Campus Map

The Alumnae Lounge can be found on the Tufts Campus Map

Parking

The Dowling Parking Garage at 419 Boston Avenue, Medford, is available for Visitor Parking and costs $5. Street parking may also be available.