Thanks to support from the State of California, the Qualcomm Institute (QI) at UC San Diego has launched a workforce development program to help prepare participants with the skills to meet the needs of the state’s rapidly growing high-tech business sector.
Components of workforce development at QI include:
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Nanotechnology. Two workforce programs focus on nanotechnology. In the first, UC San Diego interns work for a year at QI’s Nano3 cleanroom facility, learning and operating Nano3’s state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope, under the direction of QI Senior Staff Digital Design Engineer Jeff Wu. In the second, State funds support some of the participants in the Nanotechnology Summer Institute for Middle and High School Teachers, which is run by Program Manager in Education and Outreach Yves Theriault.
- Neurodiversity in Tech. This summer internship program, directed by Professor Pamela Cosman, helps prepare young adults with autism spectrum disorder for careers in technology.
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mHealth. This internship, directed by Principal Engineer Ganz Chockalingam, offers UC San Diego undergraduates with a technical background the opportunity to focus on various aspects in the design, development and commercialization of applications in healthcare.
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Quantum. Under the direction of Research Scientist Nikola Alic, UC San Diego students collaborate in the research and development of innovative graduate programs in quantum computing.
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Sonic Arts. Under the direction of QI Associate Director and Professor Shahrokh Yadegari, UC San Diego undergraduates explore, design and implement cutting-edge audio technologies.
- Serious Games. In this internship with QI Associate Research Scientist Neil Smith, students focus on serious games as applied to complex global problems such as climate change.
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Connecting Technology with Use Cases. In this internship with Professor Ramamohan Paturi, UC San Diego students explore the practical applications of new technology.
“We are grateful for the State of California’s five-year, $5 million support of programs including our Nanotechnology Workforce Preparation and NeuroDiversity in Tech internships. These initiatives leverage QI’s specialized infrastructure and expert mentors, while reaching underserved populations and connecting skilled workers with businesses.”
