UAlbany Launches New Semiconductor and Microelectronics Scholarship Program
ALBANY, N.Y. (Dec. 17, 2024) — The University at Albany has launched a new program aimed at cultivating a workforce of young leaders interested in the fields of semiconductor engineering and microelectronics.
The Semiconductor and Microelectronics Leadership Program provides scholarships of $5,000 to exceptional high school or transfer students interested in the semiconductor and microelectronics programs at UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering.
The program is funded through NORDTECH, a $40 million consortium of universities, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing powerhouses announced in 2023 as part of the Microelectronics Commons. The Microelectronics Commons was established under the landmark 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to help seed research and development in the semiconductor industry and accelerate the path of discoveries from labs to industrial production facilities.
“As a founding member of NORDTECH we are excited to offer this scholarship opportunity to attract undergraduate students to microelectronics-focused majors, and to introduce those students to career opportunities within the field of semiconductors and microelectronics,” said CNSE Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Nathaniel Cady. “This workforce development activity is part of a larger initiative within the college to prepare students for work in the industry, to gain hands-on experience with microelectronics, chip fabrication, and electronic design, and to provide research and educational experiences that foster student interest in semiconductors.”
Students who are part of the program receive a one-time $5K scholarship and then participate in monthly activities to expose them to the semiconductor industry as well as potential career opportunities and workforce development initiatives.
The undergraduates selected for the program can major in Nanoscale Science, Nanoscale Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“This unique leadership program not only provides students with scholarships that allow them to reduce any debt that they might otherwise accrue to support their undergraduate study, it provides them with important connections to a regional industry with extensive opportunities for employment after graduation,” said CNSE Dean Michele J. Grimm. “This program takes advantage of our college’s co-location with NY CREATES and many semiconductor companies at the Albany NanoTech Complex – and quickly opens the door to that next set of career-focused choices. While the scholarship is only for one year, we hope that these students will continue to participate in the co-curricular activities that connect them to experiences that will inform their next career steps after graduation.”
Aishaanya Kaushik, an undergraduate student originally from India and studying Nanoscale Engineering made the decision to enter the program to pursue her passion for conducting research.
“I chose UAlbany simply because it is the best choice to learn about nanoscale science or engineering, especially with the opportunity to study and conduct research at the Albany NanoTech Complex,” said Kaushik.
Kaushik has also taken advantage of the numerous extracurricular activities available at UAlbany by joining the Indian Alliance Club, Model UN, the Society of Women Engineers and the Nano Student Association. After completing her undergraduate studies, Kaushik plans to pursue an MBA.
Alexander McDougall, another inaugural Semiconductor and Microelectronics Scholar from Glens Falls, is studying Electrical and Computer Engineering at UAlbany. The transfer student from Hudson Valley Community College was made aware of the opportunities to continue his engineering studies while earning exposure to the world of nanotechnology.
“As I grew up, I knew that I wished to be an engineer because I loved to solve brain teasers and put together jigsaw puzzles, to solve problems, in math or in everyday life,” said McDougall, who cited UAlbany’s location and affordability as other key factors in his decision to continue his studies at CNSE.
“This semester I have learned a lot about the semiconductor industry. I have become quite interested in chip design, both in the way of FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) and ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) design,” said McDougall, who is also a member of UAlbany’s IEEE chapter. “If I were to go down the path of ASIC design, I could work in semiconductor facilities creating new chips for the industry.”
After graduating in 2026, McDougall intends to stay on to earn a master’s degree before joining the semiconductor and microelectronics industry in the field of digital logic design.
Toshin Ahnaf, whose family is originally from Bangladesh, cites the learning environment at UAlbany as a key component of his decision to enroll at UAlbany.
“UAlbany has a relaxed and supportive environment,” said Ahnaf, who graduated from Shaker High School in 2024. He has been active in IEEE and praised the older students and professors at CNSE for easing his transition from high school to college.
“My community of skilled immigrants from Bangladesh, where I was born, guided me in understanding what it means to be an electrical engineer and their day-to-day life, which I found appealing,” continued Ahnaf.
The inaugural class of Semiconductor and Microelectronics Scholars at UAlbany includes:
- Toshin Ahnaf (Latham) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (intended)
- Lauren Aldrin Bernard (Halfmoon) majoring in Nanoscale Science (intended)
- Spencer Boland (Bronx) majoring in Nanoscale Engineering
- Jesus Cruz (Troy) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Zachary Dumlao (Schenectady) majoring in Nanoscale Engineering (intended)
- James Fudesco (Syracuse) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (intended)
- Mason Haberek (Niverille) majoring in Nanoscale Engineering (intended)
- Christopher Jones (Johnsonville) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (intended)
- Aishaanya Kaushik (New Hartford) majoring in Nanoscale Engineering (intended)
- Omar Khurshid (Poughkeepsie) majoring in Nanoscale Science
- Alexandar McDougall (South Glens Falls) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Bryce McRae (Bronx) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (intended)
- Kaden Rodriguez (Brooklyn) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (intended)
- Saugat Shah (Albany) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Rob Trala (Troy) majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering