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Quantum computing company IonQ has named Dean Kassmann as senior vice president of its newly formed engineering and technology division.

The College Park, Maryland-based firm said Friday that Kassmann previously served as vice president of engineering.

According toPeter Chapman, president and CEO of IonQ, Kassman has played key roles in some of the companys most important achievements over the past two years and his technical and business expertise make him the ideal candidate to lead the companys engineering and technology division.

Dr. Kassmanns leadership has been instrumental in driving our key initiatives forward, and his vision for the future of quantum computing aligns perfectly with our strategic goals, the chief executive shared.

Since joining IonQ in late 2021, the technology expert and his team have filed a total of 188 U.S. and foreign patent applications.

Kassmanns professional experience also includes leadership positions at the aerospace company Blue Origin. He also had stints as a business analyst at Amazon and a senior technologist at Aspen Technology.

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IonQ Appoints Dean Kassmann as Head of Engineering and Technology Division - ExecutiveBiz

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June 24 marks the beginning of the third week of Discovery Camp at Webster Parish Libraries. This is Engineering Week, featuring a variety of fun, educational activities across different branches.

The week kicks off on Monday with a performance by Lady Chops at the Minden main branch at 10 AM and another at the Doyline branch at 3 PM. Lady Chops offers an interactive, family-friendly musical performance enjoyable for both children and adults.

The Heflin branch will host Building with Beans at 3:30 PM, providing a creative way for participants to explore engineering principles and structural stability by constructing structures using jellybeans.

The Springhill branch will feature Paper Airplane Building & Flying at 4 PM, where attendees can craft paper airplanes from various types of paper and add items to see how far they will fly.

On Tuesday, Lady Chops will perform at the Springhill branch at 10 AM. The Minden main branch will hold High Flying Airplanes at 10 AM, challenging participants to construct straw and paper airplanes. In the afternoon, the branch will host the Egg-Cellent Engineering Egg Drop Challenge at 4 PM, where attendees will design contraptions to protect an egg from a fall.

Wednesdays activities include a movie day at the Springhill branch with Under the Stars. The Heflin branch will hold Build a Plane at 3:30 PM, where participants will explore aerodynamics and engineering by designing their own airplanes with simple materials. The Cotton Valley branch will feature Bridge Building at 4 PM, challenging attendees to construct a weight-bearing paper bridge.

On Thursday, the Minden main branch will host Bridge Breakers at 10 AM, where participants can test the strength of their gumball and toothpick bridges. The Doyline branch will host Build with Beans at 2 PM, the Sibley branch will feature Engineering Bean Towers at 3 PM, and the Springhill branch will hold an Egg Drop Challenge at 2 PM.

The week concludes with Lets Make Bubbles at the Springhill branch at 2 PM. Participants will make their own bubble solutions and test them outside for a fun-filled afternoon.

There are always exciting activities at your local library. The final week of Discovery Camp, Mathematics Week, starts July 1.

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Engineering Week begins at Webster Parish Libraries Discovery Camp - Minden Press-Herald

Baton Rouge, LA Madeline Murphy, P.G., CPG, Senior Regulatory Specialist, Matrix New World Engineering was interviewed for The Idea Villages Innovation x Baton Rouge Area Carbon Reduction Alliance.

The goal of this initiative is to build a strong pipeline of climate tech companies in Louisiana who can help drive the global energy sectors shift to net-zero greenhouse emissions. The Idea Village and BRAC seek to deepen relationships with local energy industry leaders with a lens on innovation and ways to effectively work with startups. To drive sustainable economic growth while mitigating the risk of climate change, it is important that industry stakeholders pain points, technical challenges, needs, and business models are understood; we believe the most successful new climate technologies will be developed when industry leaders are actively working hand-in-hand with venture-backable startups to move towards a global shift in reduced carbon and greenhouse emissions, together.

Topics of conversation included renewable energy, optimization, infrastructure, and deployment, carbon capture, and many more. Murphy further clarified, Matrix envisions a better future through engineering and scientific ingenuity. Matrix is utilizing our existing expertise and applying various skills in new ways to facilitate carbon reduction.

According to Jayne Warne, PE, Matrix President, Matrix strives to offer best practices in the energy sector. Madeline is a wonderful representative of the firm and our innovative policies toward helping the planet.

About Madeline Murphy

Ms. Murphy has over 35 years experience in the environmental industry. Her background as a state environmental regulator has allowed her to provide regulatory assistance to industrial, commercial, and municipal clients for solid waste, hazardous waste, and water quality compliance. Her experience includes preparation of solid waste permits, renewals, modifications (minor and major), including operational plans, closure plans, closure/post-closure cost estimates, and preparation of annual solid waste certification of compliance documents. She has developed beneficial use/reuse permits for industrial clients in the States of Louisianan and Mississippi for both commercial and agricultural reuse. She has prepared water quality documents including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Louisiana Pollution Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit renewal applications, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), spill pollution control and countermeasure plans (SPCC), and 316(b) responses.

About The Idea Village

The Idea Village is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to helping startup founders across the Gulf Coast scale their ventures. For 20+ years, the Idea Village Team has committed itself to building a robust startup ecosystem in New Orleans and across the Gulf South. Their work actively advances the regions economic development harnessing talent, creating jobs, and fueling startup activity. The organization boasts 300+ later-stage alumni across the Gulf Region. Following their time at the Village, these startups have achieved remarkable milestones, such as participating in other industry-leading accelerators, securing over $1 million in venture funding, building teams of up to 500+ people and more.

About Baton Rouge Area Chamber

The Baton Rouge area Chamber is a regional economic development organization. BRAC represents the nine-parish Capital Region of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes. They work with local and state entities to advance economic development for everyone. BRACs work is funded and guided by dedicated Capital Region businesses that choose to invest in the organization.

About Matrix New World Engineering

Matrix New World Engineering is a company of engineering and science experts who focus on some of the nations most pressing long-term challenges, including climate change, resiliency, ecological restoration, compliance, sustainability, contamination studies and remediation, water supply, disaster response, and urban revitalization. Matrix believes solving environmental challenges through careful planning and engineering is an indispensable measure of success.

Matrix has offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, Louisiana, and Chicago, coupled with project experience throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

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Matrix New World Engineering Leader Interviewed On Innovation In The Global Energy Sector - InsiderNJ

Home Articles Reproductive Ethics, Genetic Engineering, and the Common Good

In November 2018, media outlets around the globe were abuzz with the news of the birth of twin girls with modified genes designed to make them immune to HIV. This groundbreaking and controversial experiment was conducted by He Jiankui, a Chinese biophysicist, who used CRISPR technology to disable the CCR5 gene, enabling HIV infection. However, He Jiankuis work, which aimed to immunize babies against HIV, was shrouded in controversy due to its ethical and legal implications. Chinese regulations prohibit research on human embryos beyond the fourteenth day of existence and their subsequent implantation into a uterus. Moreover, the scientific community was concerned about the potential unintended consequences, as the CCR5 gene is also associated with significant brain functions. This experiment might not only have prevented HIV but also inadvertently enhanced the intelligence and memory of the twin girls.

This event sparked intense debate over using CRISPR-Cas9, the latest gene-editing technology. Genetic engineering is not a new field; arguments for and against it have been made for years, and various regulations have attempted to provide legal and ethical frameworks, albeit incomplete and often controversial. However, CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized genetic engineering, potentially transforming public perception and ethical considerations surrounding gene editing.

The Canadian philosopher and Jesuit Bernard Lonergan offers a compelling interpretive framework for examining the epistemological and ethical dimensions of reproductive choices. His Critical Realism emphasizes the interplay between knowing and being, guiding us beyond individual interests toward a vision that values the collective welfare of humanity.

Lonergans seminal works, Insight and Method in Theology, provide a layered conception of goodfrom an elemental notion linked to desires objectives to the intrinsic Good of Value, fully comprehensible only within the context of moral conversion. This nuanced understanding is particularly relevant for todays debates on reproductive ethics, encouraging us to make decisions that harmonize technological potential with broader human well-being.

In Insight, Lonergan explores the nature of human understanding and how we come to know and discern truth. He introduces the idea of the good in a foundational sense, linked to the immediate objectives of our desires (i.e., particular goods). This basic level of good is what people seek instinctively, driven by their immediate needs and wants. However, Lonergan does not stop at this elemental notion.

In Method in Theology, he deepens this exploration by distinguishing between different levels of good:

1. Particular Goods (those of desire): This is the most basic level, where good is perceived as satisfying individual desires and needs. Its an immediate and often self-centered understanding of good.

2. The Good of Order: This level involves understanding good within the context of social structures and relationships. It recognizes that individual goods are interconnected and that a well-ordered society is necessary for individuals to flourish. Here, good transcends personal satisfaction and includes the well-being of the community.

3. The Good of Value: This is the highest level of good, which can only be fully comprehended through moral conversiona profound transformation of ones values and priorities. At this level, good is understood as that which genuinely enhances human dignity and promotes the common good. It involves a self-transcending love and commitment to what is genuinely worthwhile, beyond mere personal or immediate gain.

This more nuanced understanding of good is particularly relevant for todays debates on reproductive ethics. Modern technologies, such as CRISPR and other genetic modifications, offer unprecedented potential to alter human biology. However, decisions regarding their use should not be driven solely by the basic good of satisfying individual desires (such as selecting for desired traits) or even the societal good of preventing diseases. Instead, they should be guided by the higher good of value, which considers the broader implications for human dignity and the common good.

Notwithstanding, these advancements in reproductive technologies have, in some contexts, normalized the transition from a natural birth to a chosen birth. However, this heightened agency brings with it significant ethical considerations. The concept of the best baby, which includes not only rectifying genetic anomalies but also enhancing specific traits, raises fundamental questions about our understanding of human nature and the potential societal implications.

For instance, preferences for specific traits may vary widely across cultures, societies, and individuals, potentially leading to new forms of inequality and discrimination. Lonergans philosophy urges us to transcend individualistic aspirations and consider the collective impact of these choices on society.

Lonergans insights into the Common Good offer a comprehensive perspective that transcends individual welfare. He emphasizes a societal dimension where each individuals good contributes to and is enriched by the well-being of all. His philosophical constructs urge us to move beyond mere individualism and consider the collective welfare of humanity, particularly in the context of reproductive technologies.

This conception of the Good is multi-layered, encompassing different aspects of human desire and ethical reasoning. He differentiates between the Good of Order, which refers to the structured coordination of human actions toward common goals, and the Good of Value, understood within the context of moral conversion and deeper ethical commitment. This layered understanding is particularly relevant for todays debates on genetic modifications and reproductive choices.

Individual decisions regarding reproductive technologies have far-reaching implications. While promising to eliminate certain hereditary diseases or enhance specific traits, genetic modifications pose significant ethical challenges. How might these choices impact the human gene pool over generations? What are the potential ecological and biodiversity consequences of narrowing genetic variability?

Appropriating this framework helps us understand that modifying genes in human embryos can have long-term consequences on the human gene pool. By selectively enhancing or disabling certain traits, we risk creating new forms of inequality and potentially reducing genetic diversity, which is crucial for the resilience of our species. Decisions made today could set precedents that influence the genetic makeup of future generations, possibly leading to unintended health and societal issues.

The ecological implications of genetic modifications extend beyond humans. For instance, altering human genes might inadvertently affect our interaction with the environment and other species. Lonergans emphasis on the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence urges us to consider these broader ecological impacts. Narrowing genetic variability could reduce our ability to adapt to environmental changes, thereby impacting not just individual health but the sustainability of ecosystems.

If we adopt a critical realist approach, however, we can navigate these challenges with a focus on collective human flourishing. Lonergans philosophical approach advocates for informed and responsible decision-making processes that consider immediate benefits and long-term consequences. This perspective encourages us to look beyond individual desires and assess how our choices contribute to the Common Good, ultimately promoting a balanced approach that harmonizes technological potential with ethical integrity and communal well-being.

Fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and community engagement is essential to addressing these ethical considerations. Policymakers, medical professionals, and potential parents must collaborate to ensure that a commitment to the Common Good guides genetic interventions. This involves creating platforms for public discourse, ethical review boards, and comprehensive educational programs that integrate scientific knowledge with philosophical, theological, and ethical insights. By doing so, we can ensure that our advancements in reproductive technologies align with a vision of human flourishing that respects both individual rights and collective responsibilities.

Implementing policies and practices that reflect Lonergans ethical principles is essential to aligning reproductive technologies with the common good. This involves creating frameworks encouraging reflection, dialogue, and responsible decision-making across various sectors.

Policymakers play a crucial role in shaping the ethical landscape of reproductive technologies. To foster a community-centric approach, it is essential to establish policies that encourage dialogue and reflection on genetic choices. One effective measure could be the formation of Genetic Ethics Committees at both local and national levels. These committees would serve as forums for public discourse, bringing together diverse perspectives from ethicists, scientists, religious leaders, and laypersons. For example, town-hall-style meetings focused on emerging genetic technologies can provide a platform for citizens to voice concerns, hear expert opinions, and collaboratively shape policy directions.

Additionally, public funding should prioritize treatments that address life-threatening genetic disorders over aesthetic enhancements. Countries like Sweden have already taken steps in this direction, ensuring that public resources are channeled towards creating a healthier society rather than catering to superficial desires. Implementing policies that emphasize the Common Good can help prevent the commodification of human life and ensure that advancements in genetic technologies benefit society as a whole.

Within the context of Catholic doctrine, it is essential to emphasize the sanctity and dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

Concerning medical professionals, they are at the forefront of implementing and advising on reproductive technologies. To facilitate informed decision-making processes for potential parents, healthcare providers must ensure that individuals understand the broader implications of their choices. This can be achieved through in-depth, multi-session consultations beyond detailing medical procedures, including discussions on societal and ethical impacts. For instance, genetic counselors in Iceland have pioneered such comprehensive consultation models, enabling parents to make well-rounded decisions.

Introducing ethical case reviews in hospitals can also ensure that decisions are introspective and ethically sound. Regular interdisciplinary meetings involving sociologists, ethicists, and geneticists can help medical professionals stay informed about the societal impacts of genetic choices. These practices foster a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring that individual decisions align with the broader ethical framework that respects the Good of Order and the Good of Value.

Parents play a pivotal role in shaping the future through their reproductive choices. Within the context of Catholic doctrine, it is essential to emphasize the sanctity and dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Parents should be encouraged to reflect deeply on their motivations for considering any genetic interventions, ensuring that their decisions uphold the inherent worth of every human being as created in the image of God. Rather than focusing on selecting specific genetic traits, parents should consider the broader ethical implications and the potential societal impacts of their choices. Participation in church-led educational programs and ethical discussions can provide valuable guidance. These programs, facilitated by trained professionals and aligned with Church teachings, can help parents understand the moral dimensions of their decisions, encouraging them to act in ways that respect the sanctity of life and promote the Common Good.

Moreover, parents must recognize that every choice they make is part of a larger societal fabric. Understanding the long-term impacts on community values and human diversity can help ensure that their decisions contribute positively to the Common Good. Engaging in community dialogues within their parish or diocese can help parents consider how their choices might shape future generations and societal norms, always grounded in a respect for life and the teachings of the Church.

By grounding reproductive choices in Lonergans ethical framework and the Catholic tradition in which his approach was developed and emerged, we can navigate the complex landscape of genetic technologies, focusing on collective human flourishing without defaulting to reductionistic narratives and sterile utilitarian calculus. Policymakers, medical professionals, Church leaders, and parents all have roles to play in this endeavor. Encouraging policies that foster dialogue, provide comprehensive and ethical guidance, and promote introspective decision-making processes are essential steps in aligning reproductive technologies with the Common Good, something that sorely needs a recovery. This approach ensures that advancements in genetic engineering benefit individuals and contribute to societys holistic well-being, reflecting the multi-dimensional intricacies of human existence that Lonergan so profoundly emphasized.

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Reproductive Ethics, Genetic Engineering, and the Common Good - Word on Fire

Now in its 11th year, International Women in Engineering Day serves as a reminder of contributions that women engineers make to the tech sector every day and whats still needed to overcome its gender gap.

Barkha Herman, Developer Advocate, StarTree

Diversity is crucial for driving innovation, not just a buzzword. When women and underrepresented groups get equal opportunities, their unique perspectives propel technology forward, creating more inclusive products. For instance, a woman-led company transformed defense robots into the first autonomous vacuum cleaners for homes. Diversity builds our future across industries and in our daily life. We must continue breaking barriers and stereotypes to inspire future generations of women to pursue engineering and STEM careers.

As a Developer Advocate and a Woman in Engineering, visibility is key. Being seen on conference stages and behind the scenes normalizes womens presence in tech, making it easier for others to follow. Its about showcasing the diverse skills and viewpoints women bring to the table. Our achievements, whether highlighted or behind the scenes, are crucial to industry progress. We need to support and celebrate each other, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Creating equal opportunities in engineering and STEM is not just right; its smart business. Embracing diversity and inclusion taps into the full potential of our talent pool, driving innovation and growth. Lets keep advocating for change, inspiring future generations, and celebrating the contributions of women in engineering today and every day.

ChanChan Mao, Developer Advocate, Alluxio

To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day is to celebrate ourselves and the growing representation of women as the tech industry evolves. I am always so in awe every time I attend tech events and conferences and I see a woman on stage confidently speaking on her area of expertise. Growing up as a little girl in the heart of Silicon Valley, its easy to be underestimated and overshadowed by the lack of gender diversity. Perhaps the most valuable lesson Ive learned, as cliche as it sounds, is that we can do it! Our intelligence, our passion, and our innovative minds are beyond gender labels; our opportunities for growth and leadership should also be. We all have incredible potential to achieve outstanding careers in tech, and we are not allowing gender stereotypes to hinder our success.

Elisa La Roche, Senior Director, Support Engineering, Starburst

To women passionate about engineering and technology, be curious, be bold and believe that your ideas are important to achieving a greater goal. To those pursuing a career in leadership, we have more opportunities than ever to influence the change we want to see. Our commitment to developing young women professionals and early education programs to support them strengthens the field of engineering for generations to come.

By celebrating the achievements of women in engineering, we shine a spotlight on their contributions to the industry, highlighting the difference diversity makes and inspiring all those interested in pursuing a future in engineering.

Margaret Hoagland, VP, Global Sales & Marketing, SIOS Technology

Remember to be courageous enough to take your time. Trust in yourself and your audience. When you have something to say, know that it is worth the wait. Ive witnessed countless brilliant women diminish their impact by feeling rushed and speaking too quickly. So, pause. Reflect on your next words. Stand firm. Make them wait. Speak slower, move with purpose. Your voice matters, especially in STEM.

Saadia Khan, VP of Engineering and DevOps, Hammerspace

I have devoted my career as an engineer to advancing technology and innovation, consistently breaking new ground with my team and defying stereotypes. Throughout my journey, I have achieved notable successes with several patents, contributed to open-source software communities, and engaged in standardization efforts. My commitment to innovation and progress underscores my belief that International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is not just a celebration but a crucial societal event showcasing womens invaluable contributions to engineering.

Despite the distinct hurdles many have encountered in building careers and advancing into leadership in the high-tech space we can ignite the curiosity of the next generation of women to explore the diverse opportunities available in the STEM fields.

Luz Geist, Director of Engineering, Cubic Defense

As a female engineer established in my career, I have learned to embrace the good with the bad life lessons along the way, they made me who I am today. Fundamentally, to continue growing and learning, it requires challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone not for the certainty of outcome, but for the certainty that you will come out wiser. The value comes when one learns to harness those experiences to support other women striving to meet their ambitions. In todays fast-paced world it is essential to elevate other women around us, be a good role model and mentor. I always encourage learning from someone elses experiences, ask questions, push boundaries and take chances.

Annemie Vanoossterhout, Release and Project Manager, Datadobi

Its essential for everyone, regardless of gender, to create inclusive workspaces. Remote work is one way to allow for more flexible hours and benefit women tasked with balancing their family life and their job responsibilities. However, the responsibility to challenge the status quo doesnt solely lie with organizations: as women, we must also push beyond perceived limitations.

The key to accomplishing change is collaboration, and it should not be a solitary endeavor. Together, we can make a significant impact and pave the way for future generations of women engineers.

Chrissay Brinkmann, PreSales Engineer, Leaseweb USA

As a woman in STEM, Ive faced the challenge of feeling the need to demonstrate my value and expertise alongside my male counterparts, something I think other women in my field can relate to. Thankfully, I believe that women have made immense progress in the past 15 years, with more and more women joining the tech industry without having to face the same difficulties that many other women, including myself, experienced at the start of their careers.

Everyone approaches situations uniquely and from my experience, gender parity in STEM provides diverse perspectives, enhances efficiency and facilitates creative solutions. A word of advice to girls and women interested in engineering: there are a multitude of programs to help you find your niche so do your research and remember, a career in STEM puts you at the forefront of technology.

Prerana Singhal, Founding Engineer, Traceable AI

Occupations like engineering and tech are no longer considered jobs specifically for men. I am very glad to see that womens interests in STEM are now being fostered instead of being deterred by what was considered a societal norm for women. While there is still a long way to go, strides have been made in ensuring that women have a place in the engineering field. Now we must continue to pave the way for the new generation of female engineers. Young girls need to see more examples of female engineers, they need to see their accomplishments be celebrated, and they need to know that this line of work can be so much fun.

Soujanya Namburi, Software Engineer, Traceable AI

Young girls can be inspired to pursue careers in engineering by introducing them to STEM opportunities early on, fostering their interests through mentorship programs or clubs, and showcasing diverse role models in the field. For existing female engineers, employers can foster an environment where women feel comfortable leading by prioritizing respect and inclusivity. They can do this by implementing equal pay initiatives and being transparent with promotion processes to ensure fairness and opportunity for all employees. Additionally, they can implement a culture of zero tolerance for discrimination and open communication. These things will help create a supportive atmosphere where women can thrive in leadership roles without fear.

Chen Webber-Kentor, Group Product Manager, Zerto

Now in its 11th year, International Women in Engineering Day serves as a reminder of the hard work and contributions that women engineers make every day but also to call attention to the gender gap in the engineering industry. Globally, women hold less than 30% of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs, but in my role as group product manager at Zerto, I have the pleasure of working with a diverse and talented team of engineers. As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, I reaffirm my belief that gender parity in STEM provides diverse perspectives and unique problem-solving approaches that lead to more innovative and balanced solutions.

My passion for engineering lies in its challenging nature and the creative possibilities it offers, and I actively encourage more girls and women to pursue this exciting field. Achieving gender equality in STEM requires a proactive approach: setting clear objectives, crafting opportunities, and imparting the significance of diversity and inclusion to all employees. Additionally, fostering an inclusive culture, where women have equal opportunities for career advancement, is key for an organizations success.

Deepika Gajaria, VP of GTM and Strategy, Securin

The STEM field has historically faced challenges in embracing new perspectives and voices. However, you possess the qualities necessary to thrive in this field if you have a passion for problem-solving, a curious mindset, a desire to make an impact, and a willingness to learn and network.

Within my own journey, the experiences and qualities I collected throughout my career have provided me with valuable insights that the technology industry and my organization values. Because of this, I am passionate about enabling more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in STEM.

Those willing to learn, build connections, ask questions, and tackle problems independently have significant opportunities to contribute meaningfully, no matter their background.

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International Women in Engineering Day voices from the frontline - Intelligent CIO