From Membership to Leadership

In 2024, IEEE NPSS started the From Membership to Leadership (M2L) Travel Support Initiative to identify, mentor and give volunteer opportunities to the younger generation of NPSS members with the potential to become future volunteer leaders in our society. This initiative provides travel support for up to two student or young professional (YP) IEEE NPSS members to attend an IEEE NPSS sponsored conference. We highlight the experiences of two 2025 M2L Initiative recipients, Ms. Priti Pal, PhD scholar at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India, and Younes Belrhiti, PhD, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, England.

If individuals are interested in learning more about the M2L Travel Support Initiative and opportunities available for 2026, please contact Robert Miyaoka, PhD.

2025 Pulsed Power and Plasma Science (PPPS) Conference

Report from M2L Intern: Priti Pal

Volunteering at the NPSS Membership table allowed me to engage with a diverse and inspiring group of researchers and professionals. One memorable moment was a conversation I had with Prof. Stefan Ritt, who shared insightful guidance on how to contribute meaningfully to IEEE communities and transition from student participation to leadership roles. His encouragement and perspective gave me renewed sense of purpose in staying involved with IEEE activities beyond research.

At PPPS 2025, I also attended the lecture by Dr. Emily Schrock, Chair of the NPSS IEEE Pulsed Power Science and Technology Committee, who provided valuable insight into how to get involved in various IEEE committees.

Even though I wasn’t able to participate in many official promotional activities during the conference, the overall experience was incredibly positive. I connected with many IEEE student members, had meaningful conversations, and received valuable guidance from senior professionals. This experience made me feel more engaged with the NPSS community and strengthened my motivation to continue volunteering.

2025 Symposium on Fusion Energy (SOFE) Conference

Report from M2L Intern, Younes Belrhiti, PhD

Volunteering at the NPSS Membership table during SOFE 2025 was a great experience. Among the most memorable moments were the conversations we had with PhD students and young professionals who weren’t yet members of NPSS. By the end of our discussions, some had joined online at the booth using their phones, while others required some assistance.

Thanks to the M2L initiative, I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Peter Clout and Dr. Mark Tillack, from whom I learned a lot about the structure and mission of IEEE NPSS. Their insights were truly motivating and encouraged me to become more involved in IEEE volunteering activities.

What made the week even more special was the balance I was able to strike between volunteering and attending technical talks, including presenting my research. This made SOFE 2025 an unforgettable conference.

Robert Miyaoka, PhD can be reached by email at [email protected]