Upcoming Conferences

The 2026 IEEE International Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference (IPMHVC) will be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV from July 12-15, 2026. Sterling Beeson is the general chair and can be reached at [email protected]

The 2027 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference (PPC) will be co-located with the 2027 IEEE Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE) in San Diego, CA from June 20-25, 2027. The general chair for PPC is Frank Hegeler and can be reached at [email protected]

Call for NPSS Award Nominations

Two annual NPSS-level awards recognize excellence in pulsed power. We invite you to consider nominating outstanding graduate students and colleagues for:

• The Robert J Barker Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Pulsed Power Applications
• The Magne “Kris” Kristiansen Award for Contributions to Experimental Nuclear and Plasma Science.

Both have a submission deadline of January 31st, 2025. More information is available here.

A Message from the Chair

Demystifying the Path to Committee Leadership: A Step at a Time

As I’m finishing my chair position for PPST and transitioning to the next chair, I have been reflecting on my journey into the PPST Chair position and wanted to take the time to share. When I attended my first Pulsed Power Conference (PPC) as a graduate student in San Francisco in 2017, I had no idea what went on behind the scenes to make the conference a success. I saw the technical sessions, industry connections, and hallway conversations that make our community strong—but I didn’t yet understand the planning, organization, and dedication of the volunteers who shape PPST and its conferences. At the time, leadership felt distant —something reserved for people who had been in the field far longer than I had.

But that turned out not to be true.

I joined the PPST Executive Committee three years later as a Member-at-Large, encouraged by my advisor at Texas Tech University, Dr. Stephen Bayne, who believed I had something to contribute. That small step turned into a path I never expected—one built on learning, mentorship, and gradual involvement:

• 2020 – 2021 – Member-at-Large
• 2021 – Secretary
• 2022 – 2023 – Vice Chair
• 2024 – 2025 – Chair
• 2027 – Treasurer for PPC 2027
• 2029 – Chair for PPC 2029 (Elected this year, 2025)

In addition to these roles, I’ve volunteered in various PPC planning positions:

• 2021 and 2023: Night Out Coordinator
• 2021, 2023, 2025 – Session Chair
• 2023: Women in Engineering Coordinator
• 2025: Exhibitor Co-Chair
• 2025: Women in Engineering Speaker

My journey wasn’t a leap into leadership — it was a series of incremental steps. Each role helped me understand more about how the pulsed power community functions and gave me the confidence to grow into larger responsibilities.

I’d like to take a minute to give a huge thank you to the mentors in my life, specifically Stephen Bayne, Frank Hegeler, and Jacob Stephens, who have helped me get involved, have been my sounding board for ideas and inputs, and who have taught me an incredible amount about leadership and the pulsed power community.

Why Get Involved?

Serving on PPST leadership has been one of the most rewarding parts of my professional journey. Through committee work, I’ve had the opportunity to:

• Build meaningful connections and collaborations
• Receive and offer mentorship during the different stages of my career
• Advocate for meaningful initiatives for student support, early-career members, and professional development
• Nominate deserving colleagues for awards that recognize their innovation and dedication
• Shape the direction of our conferences and community initiatives to support future generations of our community

Serving in leadership has shown me just how much our community thrives when members get involved and share their perspectives.

An important note: leadership in PPST is not exclusive—it’s accessible to anyone who wants to contribute.  You don’t need to wait for someone to tell you that you’re ready. Nominate yourself for PPST, and if you’re not ready to take that step, volunteer for a smaller planning position for PPC 2027 or PPC 2029.

How to Get Involved

If you’re interested in leadership or committee involvement, here are some easy first steps:

• Volunteer at a conference or join a subcommittee
• Nominate yourself for a Member-at-Large position
• Ask about open roles—many positions are self-nominated
• Reach out to current committee members for guidance

If you’d like to learn more, I’m happy to help you find opportunities that fit your interests.

Emily Schrock, PPST Chair, can be reached by email at [email protected]