Presenters: Kathleen A. Kramer, Ph.D. and Hasala Dharmawardena, Ph.D.

Overview

Kathleen A. Kramer, Ph.D. and Hasala Dharmawardena, Ph.D. will provide some guidance and encouragement aimed at new and soon-to-be technical professionals in IEEE fields of interest for engineering licensure. Learn what credentials and opportunities that a license as a Professional Engineer (PE) can provide. Drs. Kramer and Dharmawardena will consider which career interests are most enhanced by becoming a PE, and who and when to take the first step of becoming an EIT. Discussion will touch on the pathways to qualifying, technical topics to cover on the involved exams, and relate required experiences, licensing and professional responsibilities, and different steps along the way to earning, and maintaining, a license.

About the Presenters

 Kathleen A. Kramer is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of San Diego. She has contributed as a Member of Technical Staff at several companies, including ViaSat, HP, and Bell Communications Research. She served as Director of Engineering (2004-2013), providing academic leadership for all the university’s engineering programs. A past member of the Board of Directors of IEEE, she has served on IEEE-USA’s board and its Government Relations Council. She is a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE AESS and current officer of the society. She is recognized as a Fellow of ABET for her contributions advancing the accreditation criteria for cyber security and mechatronics. She received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering with a second major in physics from Loyola Marymount University, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from CalTech.

Hasala Dharmawardena is an Electric Power Engineer with a combined twelve years of experience working in the design, construction, and commissioning of power systems and in the research and development of transmission and distribution system technology. Hasala specializes in modeling, simulation, and optimization of power systems. He obtained his doctoral degree at Clemson University, USA, master’s degree at NTNU, Norway, and bachelor’s degree at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, all in Electric Power Engineering. He works as a Senior Power Systems Consultant at Siemens PTI.

Hasala is an avid energy policy advocate and has contributed to numerous utility rate cases across the globe. A passionate volunteer for IEEE, he currently serves as the Chair of the IEEE Young Professionals (YP) Committee. Previously, he served as Young Professional Representative on the IEEE-USA Board of Directors, Vice-Chair of IEEE Young Professionals, and the Power and Energy Society Student Chapters Committee Chair. He is also a past Region 3 YP Coordinator, IEEE YP Sri Lanka Affinity Group Chair, IEEE Norway Webmaster, and Student Activities Committee Chair.

He can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasalaid/

Earn PDH Credits

U.S. IEEE members who have participated in an IEEE-USA Webinar can earn professional development hours (PDHs) from IEEE’s Educational Activities Department by clicking here to request a certificate.*

*Please allow 7-10 days to receive a certificate.