SD IEEE Consultants' Network: November 2025 Meeting ("Away Game")

Tech Talk, Panel Discussion & Networking Reception for the IEEE Computer Society's Career Catalyst Scholars
This month we will join our sister society IEEE -Computer Society for Career Catalyst Scholars Networking Reception, back at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
The Panel and Networking Event is part of the IEEE CS Career Catalyst Pilot Program, in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies Inc., the program’s official industry partner. See https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/scholarships/career-catalyst
The event will have a rock star cast, informative presentation, great venue, and rich networking!
=>Attendance is limited to vtools registered participants only. Capacity is limited.<=
When:
Wednesday, November 17, 2025
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where:
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
AGENDA:
5:30 - 6:00 PM: Check in & food
6:00 - 6:25 PM: Introduction
6:30 - 6:55 PM: Technical Talk by Dr. Josip Balen
7:00 - 7:40 PM: Leadership Panel - IEEE / Industry Engagement
7:45 - 8:30 PM: Desert, Networking, Conclude
COST:
Active IEEE members $0,
Non-members $30
Vtools Registration is required here:
https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/509520
=>Attendance is limited to vtools registered participants only. Capacity is limited.<=
PARKING
Metered parking on the street

The event will feature:
(1) A technical talk by Prof. Josip Balen, PhD CS, IEEE CS BoG and Assoc. Prof. at Univ. of Osijek, Croatia
(2) A distinguished panel moderated by Megha Ben, IEEE CS BoG, PM at Siemens featuring:
Dr. Kathleen Kramer, IEEE President and Professor at USD, San Diego
Dr. Terry Benzel, IEEE CS VP-Elect and Prof. of USC
Dr. Vaishnav Srinivas, VP of Technology, Qualcomm
Dr. Josip Balen, IEEE CS BoG and Assoc. Prof. at Univ. of Osijek, Croatia
Moderator: Megha Ben
Panelists:
(3) A social networking hour for the 10 Selected Career Catalyst Scholars and CS BoGs with local IEEE leadership, professionals, students, and volunteers.
TECHNICAL TALK:
The Second Discovery of Fire: From Flint to Intelligent Pixels
For decades, fire detection has relied on single-point, reactive sensors. This paradigm is fundamentally limited, often resulting in late detection and a high rate of false alarms. This talk presents a paradigm shift, moving from simple detection to intelligent perception through a multimodal, AI-driven approach. Fusion of diverse data streams, from computer vision and thermal imaging to gas and environmental sensors creates a rich, contextual understanding of a potential fire threat. The core of this approach lies in machine learning models trained to recognize the subtle, multi-faceted signatures of incipient fire, long before traditional alarms would trigger. The goal is to demonstrate the framework for developing systems capable not merely of reacting to smoke, but of proactively identifying high-risk conditions, thereby establishing a new era of predictive safety and automated prevention.
SPEAKER
Josip Balen of Univ. of Osijek, Croatia
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josipbalen/
Dr. Josip Balen is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Information Technology in Osijek, Croatia. He specializes in programming, mobile app development, and intelligent transportation systems, with recent research in fire prevention and machine learning. An IEEE member since 2008 and Senior Member since 2020, Josip serves as Vice Chair of the IEEE Computer Society MGA Board and advises the IEEE Student Branch Osijek. He founded IEEEmadC, the largest global student mobile app contest, and co-chairs the IEEE International Conference on Smart Systems and Technologies. Josip has published 40+ papers, delivered 30+ talks, and earned numerous IEEE awards, including the MGA Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award and MGA Innovation Award.

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IEEE Consultants Network of San Diego

IEEE Consultants’ Network of San Diego (IEEE/CNSD) is an invaluable resource for consulting information and a premier source of technical talent . You will meet experienced practitioners as well as others new to consulting. Speakers discuss broad range of topics, such as taxes, marketing, finances, fee setting, software and liability insurance. The network is also a source of potential clients.

Our members are comprised of independent technology consultants who are specialists in all forms of electronics, communications, chip design, computer software, defense technology, electro-mechanical hardware, power systems, new product development, quality assurance, reliability, technology management, business development, and intellectual property law.

Membership in the IEEE Consultants’ Network of San Diego (IEEE/CNSD) is open to both members and non-members of the IEEE. No membership application is necessary to join, just come to our monthly meetings. Because networking is an important part of membership, we strongly encourage you to attend the monthly meetings.

Questions:
IEEE/CNSD Chair: Enrique Monteagudo, enriquem03@yahoo.com
IEEE/CNSD Vice-Chair: Mike Bryant, m.w.bryant@ieee.org

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More Info:
IEEE/CNSD Webpage https://ieeeconsultants.org/

IEEE/CNSD LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2112928

IEEE San Diego Section https://sdieee.org/sdieee/

IEEE San Diego Section Meetup Group https://www.meetup.com/San-Diego-IEEE-Meetup/

IEEE-USA Consultants Committee https://ieeeusa.org/careers/consultants/