Exploring the Fintech Payments Ecosystem: Innovations and Impact

Date and Time: Aug 21,2025 6:30-8:00 CST

Location: Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Title: Exploring the Fintech Payments Ecosystem: Innovations and Impact

Abstract: The financial services industry is changing rapidly with the emergence of financial technology, better known as FinTech. The global fintech market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.58% from 2021 to 2025 (Research and Markets, 2020) and is projected to reach $26.5 trillion by 2022 (The Business Research Company, 2020).

This presentation will provide a general overview of FinTech and the banking system, focusing on the accelerating growth of the payments sector, which is revolutionizing how we conduct business. As of 2024, there were over 3 billion global users in digital payments alone, with continued growth forecast through 2029, according to Statista.com.

The general framework of the presentation will consist of the following areas:

  • Introduction to Fintech Payments
  • Technological Innovations in Fintech Payments
  • Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance
  • Consumer Adoption and Behavior
  • Future Trends and Predictions

Speaker: Dr. Dale Herndon

Bio: Dr. Dale Herndon is an assistant professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, where he teaches finance and fintech courses to undergraduate students. He also teaches fintech courses for the Georgia Fintech Academy, a unique collaboration between Georgia’s fintech ecosystem and the University System of Georgia.

Before earning his doctorate, Dr. Herndon spent over twenty years in various corporate finance roles at PwC, Daiwa Capital Markets, and GE Capital. He holds a BBA from Emory University and an MS Finance and DBA from Georgia State University. In his spare time, he likes to exercise and spend time with his two daughters.

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/491156

 

 

What Is Engineering and Why Are Engineers Different?

Date and time: July 17,2025 6:30 to 8 :00 PM

Location: Asian American Resource Center (AARC), Community Room 8, 8401 Cameron Rd., Austin, Texas AND Virtual via Zoom

Speaker: James J. Mercier, P.E. 

Bio: James Mercier is licensed as a professional engineer in Texas and five other states, and a Texas licensed Master Electrician.  He is an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Life Member and an IEEE Life Senior Member, having joined both in college.  In the Central Texas Section, his past duties included Membership Development Chair, Sr. Member Upgrade Coordinator, and Treasurer.  He also is a Past-Chair of the IEEE joint chapter (PI)² (PES/PELS/IES/IAS/PSES).  His nickname is “Honeybadger”.  James was a 2020 George F. McClure Citation of Honor recipient for his dedication to IEEE and his Chapter.  

James has an eclectic history.  After serving 4-years in the Air Force, he worked and completed a four-year Apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1979, making him a qualified construction electrician.  The training specialized in industrial and commercial wiring.  Then, in 1986, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Civil Engineering and worked as an Environmental Engineer in the private sector.  In 1994, James was hired into the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to work in the Roadway Illumination and Traffic Signals Sections where he specialized in reviewing electrical plans, specifying grounding practices, inspecting installations for code compliance, improving design practices, and lightning protection. 

In 2001, James transferred to the TxDOT Bridge Division Hydraulics where he specialized in river and stream flows through culverts and bridges.  James used his multiple and varied experiences to design a collapse detection and motorist warning system for the Queen Isabella Causeway Bridge in south Texas.  James also was a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and an instructor for the Texas Floodplain Management Association.   

He retired from TxDOT in 2015 so that he can enjoy doing what he wants to do!

Abstract: What do we mean by “engineer”?  What is an engineer?  What do engineers do?  Why are engineers usually considered “different” from other people?  Does this help us or hurt us?  How do we get bound up in our own ideals?  How does this affect our work product?  

James will discuss these issues and more with stories from his on experiences such as interaction with work crews as an engineer, experiences with engineers when he was an electrician, and a great problem to consider from his senior year of College where he and some classmates very innocently ruined a professor’s research work.  

In February, James gave this presentation at Texas A&M University as one of the keynote speakers at the 2025 Texas Power and Energy Conference (TPEC), sponsored by the TAMU Student Chapter of IAS/PES/PELS.  This will be a largely interactive presentation so being in person will be far preferable to on-line viewing if at all possible for you. 

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/491046

 

AI-Powered DevOps in Cloud App Modernization

Date / Time: 19 Jun 2025, 06:30 PM CDT to 08:00 PM CDT

Location: The Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, Room 1, and Zoom (hybrid)

Speaker: Akshay Mittal of PayPal

Bio: Akshay Mittal is a Staff Software Engineer at PayPal and an IEEE Senior Member with over a decade of experience in full-stack development and cloud-native systems. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of the Cumberlands, focusing on AI/ML-driven security for cloud architecture. Akshay actively contributes to the Austin tech community through speaking engagements, mentoring, and IEEE and ACM initiatives, with a professional mission of advancing technical excellence and fostering innovation.

Abstract: As organizations accelerate cloud app modernization, AI-powered DevOps is one of the most transformative enablers. AI is rapidly reshaping how modern cloud applications are built, deployed, and managed, from automating deployments to intelligent monitoring and self-healing infrastructure.

In this 40-minute session, we will explore:

  • The evolving role of AI in DevOps pipelines to accelerate cloud app delivery and infrastructure management.
  • AI-driven deployment automation, monitoring, and incident management for modern cloud applications.
  • How generative AI models enable code generation, auto-remediation, and intelligent CI/CD pipelines.
  • Case studies from cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) showcasing AI-powered DevOps in action.

By attending this session, DevOps engineers, cloud architects, and engineering leaders will learn practical methods to infuse AI into their cloud app modernization journey, ensuring faster delivery, higher resilience, and lower operational costs.

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/event/register/485864

Recorded video: https://youtu.be/M48BIWNekvs

The Science of Fun in Mobile Gaming

Date/Time: 22 May 2025; 06:30pm to 08:00 Central Time

Location: Virtual by Zoom or in person in Room 1 of the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd., Austin, Texas

Abstract

Video game development is pretty incredible if you think about it. For generations now, the weaving of technology with artistry has enabled a vast expanse of opportunities for creative minds to stretch their imagination and bring audiences along for the ride. It’s in our modern era of mobile technology, however, that audiences are finally able to respond back via the data they generate. It’s this data that defines the mobile gaming experience, setting the industry apart from its predecessors and allowing it to rapidly dwarf them.

To understand the value in this data, we’ll start with a primer on the mobile gaming market. From there, we will dive into the various business models that mobile technology enables as well as some of the development practices that motivate easy data collection and usage. Finally, we’ll tie these two threads together and show how data heightens gamers’ experiences and magically turns into money.

Speaker:

Dr. Jacob Claussen received his bachelor’s degree in physics from University of Chicago before attending the University of Texas at Austin as a graduate student in their Theory Group led by Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg. There, his research centered around quantum physics and string theory. Upon completion of his PhD in 2016, he joined Zynga, a video game development company, as a data scientist for their mobile gaming portfolio.

In his eight years at Zynga, Jacob has built and grown analytics teams across live services, marketing, and publishing. Today, he directs several analytics teams as well as Zynga’s ML/AI algorithm development team.

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/483331

Recorded video: https://youtu.be/1qTGuEMmej8

UT-Austin Robotic Lab Tour

Date and time: May 12,2025 10:15 -11:30 AM

Address: 2501 Wichita Street, Austin, TX 78712 (Anna Hiss Gymnasium 2/F)  

Meeting Point: 2/F lobby at 10:15 AM   Campus Map: Directions | Robotics

Pay Parking: 105 E 27th St Speedway Garage

Carpool Meeting Point at 9:45 AM: Central Market Parking Lot at N. Lamar St. and 40 St. NE corner close to the EV charging stations.

Maximum Tour Group: 25 people (If exceeded, option to do a second tour in late May)

Registration (REQUIRED): https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/480718

Brief Introduction

Texas Robotics provides world-class education and pursues innovative research emphasizing long-term autonomy and human-robot interaction while leveraging UT Austin’s breadth to support a broad range of industrial applications. Texas Robotics is supported by 6 UT entities.

Effective Speaking and Listening, and Time Management

Day & time: 26 April 9:30 AM Central

Speaker 1: Dr. Farrukh I. Ahmad

Bio: Currently a semi-retired Geophysical Consultant with 44 years of oil; gas exploration and production experience that included working for Gulf, Texaco, Total and Maersk oil companies in many roles. He worked in more than 15 worldwide areas. He received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Massachusetts and has published more than 25 publications and major company reports. Dr. Ahmad has been heavily involved in the SEG, GSH, and OTC for years. He was also very active in developing courses for companies, and coaching and mentoring young professionals. On the social activities level, he served in Toastmasters International as a Club and District officer and won several public speaking awards. He participated In India Culture Center, and Pakistan Association, and worked with Youth Committees for years. He was also a co-host of a radio program and host of a community TV program.

Dr Ahmad is retired but still engaged in consulting activities and teaching technical courses.

Title: Will They Listen to Me?-Speaking More Effectively

Abstract: This presentation focuses on how a message can be presented to the audience that grabs their attention, keeps them involved, and what they can learn to be effective presenters. It starts with overcoming the nervousness, assessing what the audience expects, and tailoring the presentation to make it attractive. It deals with tips and points that make the audience feel inclusive, and they may feel that they are learning and teaching both. In addition to general ways of creating a good presentation, it adds many tips that can make it spiced up and hence make the presenter an outstanding speaker.

Speaker 2: Sabia Abidi

Bio: Sabia Abidi is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the bioengineering department at Rice University and has taught courses in Systems Physiology, Troubleshooting of Clinical Lab Equipment, and Senior Design. Abidi has a doctorate in biomedical engineering from the
University of Texas, Austin. Her investigations utilized in vitro 3-D polymer scaffolds and notch ligand functionalized microbeads to scale up the production of T cells for therapeutic use. Abidi also completed postdoctoral research at NYU School of Medicine utilizing microbiological techniques for malaria research to characterize a unique Plasmodium phenotype – a triggering of parasite death at high densities. Before her appointment at Rice, Abidi worked as a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT where she researched using microfluidics for the diagnosis and treatment of red blood cell-related diseases. Abidi has 10 journal publications and 3 patent applications and has been awarded funding from NASA, Brown Foundation, and Kern Family Foundation to pursue teaching-based initiatives. She is committed to mentorship and STEM outreach through the IEEE WIE, Big Brother/Big Sister, serving as a judge for Rice-related and Future City competitions.”

 She is currently the Women in Engineering (WIE) chapter chair, Vice Chair of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMBS) chapter, and vice chair of the Biometric Council chapter of the Galveston Bay Section. She is the recipient of the 2025 Award for Excellence in Teaching in the School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University.

Title: Time Management

Abstract: The presentation will focus on the time management process and how it affects our professional productivity.

What is one thing we never have enough of? Time! In this talk, the speaker will review some commonfail-proof strategies to manage your time and be more productive. We will discuss strategies focused on time blocking, prioritization, goal setting, the importance of the environment, and assessment and reflection.

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/479948

Andy Warhol was Right about Fame!

Date and Time: 17 April 2025 from 06:30 PM until 07:50 PM

Location: Asian American Resource Center, room 8, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX AND Virtual

Speaker: Eli Cox

Bio: Professor Cox retired in 2016 and holds the La Quinta Motor Inns Centennial Emeritus Professorship in Business, Department of Marketing, McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin. He received his D.B.A. from Indiana University. He taught at The University of Texas from 1971 to 2016. He served as Department Chairman from 1985 to 1989 and 2006 to 2010.

Professor Cox published Marketing Research which appears in various journals.  Professor Cox served as a product warnings expert in many lawsuits and consulted for: Arthur Anderson; Dow Jones; General Motors and IBM.

Abstract: Eli Cox, retired UT professor, couldn’t have imagined that a professor’s insult would start him on a 55-year journey. It ended this past June when the documentary featuring him won seven awards at the Cannes Film Festival. His remarkable side hustle has been reported in Texas Monthly online, CNN, and websites around the world. He is currently looking for an agent and some adoring groupies!!! You don’t want to miss his incredible journey to fame!

Registration: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/477911

6G technologies and trends

Speaker: Sarah LaSelva, of NI

Description: 6G will be the next generation of cellular standards.  The first 3GPP (the main standards body for cellular) workshop on 6G happened earlier this month and the vision for 6G is starting take shape. This talk will cover the core technologies and trends that are expected to define the first release of 6G.  Sarah will also share some of the research projects that NI’s advanced wireless research team has been working on for the past several years.

Biography: Sarah LaSelva is the chief product marketing manager for NI’s RF portfolio. She has over 15 years of experience in test and measurement concentrating on wireless communications and RF technologies. Throughout her career she has spent time in marketing, product management, services, test engineering, and applications engineering. Sarah has spent most of her career working with software defined radios where she gained a deep knowledge of SDR hardware, software, and wireless communications. In addition to her time at NI, she recently spent 4 years at Keysight where she led the marketing strategy for Keysight in 6G.  She has been an active participant in industry groups like the NextG alliance where she is an advocate for improving sustainability and making wireless technology green.

Sarah’s academic background is in microwave and millimeter wave technology. She has a BS in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University.

Time: 6:30 pm

6:30 to 6:35 — Open for participants to network

6:35 to 6:40 — IEEE Life Members and Consultants Network business, followed by speaker introduction

6:40 to 8:00 — Presentation and Q&A

Location: Zoom meeting

Cost: None

Reservations: Please RSVP using the vTools link https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/474476.  Registered attendees will be emailed connection instructions in the 24-hour interval prior to the start of the meeting. Look for an email from Kai Wong or IEEE eNotice.

You do not need to be an IEEE Member to register.

Recorded video: https://youtu.be/0XLPAhx6QNA

Slides from Presentation:

Where is AI headed? A brief summary in research progress in large language models

Speaker: Dr. Eric Price, of The University of Texas at Austin

Description: Over the past 5 years, large language models (LLMs) have gone from struggling with elementary school math to acing college math and science exams.  How did we get here, and what’s coming next?

Biography: Dr. Eric Price is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin since the Fall of 2014.  Eric was awarded a Ph D degree from MIT in 2013.  He was a post-doc at the  Simon Institute for the Theory of Computing in UC Berkeley from 2013 to 2014. He also served as a visiting scientist for Microsoft AI, Google, OpenAI and IBM Research over the years.

Eric’s research explores the fundamental limits of data-constrained computational problems. How efficiently can we recover signals from noisy samples? And how much space do we need to compute functions of large data streams? His work has given algorithms with tight, or near-tight, sample complexities for a variety of such problems, along with corresponding lower bounds.

Time: 6:30 pm

6:30 to 6:35 — Open for participants to network

6:35 to 6:40 — IEEE Life Members and Consultants Network business, followed by speaker introduction

6:40 to 8:00 — Presentation and Q&A

Location: Virtual Zoom meeting

Cost: None

Reservations: Please RSVP using the vTools link https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/476477.  Registered attendees will be emailed connection instructions in the 24-hour interval prior to the start of the meeting. Look for an email from Kai Wong or IEEE eNotice.

You do not need to be an IEEE Member to register.

Recorded video: https://youtu.be/WX7UaYWNPxo

20 February 2025 – Potential Effects of Economic Policy in 2025

Title: Potential Effects of Economic Policy in 2025

Abstract: The talk will first present baseline trends for key indicators on the current economy, including budget and financial conditions. It will then discuss potential economic effects of possible policies of the new Trump administration.

Date and Time: Feb 20,2025 6-7:30 PM

Speaker: Lee Price

Bio: Lee Price is a retired economist. During his 40 years in the Washington, DC area, he served as Chief Economist at the Commerce Department, the economist for six Congressional committees, Research Director for both a think tank and a small foundation and Chief Risk Officer at the FDIC.

Video of meeting: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mFuhCpFjdso

Slides from meeting: