The Innovation Edge: Technologies for a Brighter Future

Welcome to the CEWIT Podcast Series, presented by the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology at Stony Brook University. In this series, we will engage with industry experts and leaders in deep-dive, technical talks about their fields, current projects, and their thoughts on the latest technology developments.

Code, Connect, Create: A Hackathon Story

Featuring:
Patrick Farrell
Software Engineer Intern
SRC, Inc

Chris Lange
Engineering Manager
CEWIT

Moderated by:
Hannah Estes
Director, Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Office for Research and Innovation

In this episode of the Innovation Edge podcast, Office for Research and Innovation Director of Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hannah Estes sits down with CEWIT Engineering Manager Chris Lange and SRC Inc. Software Engineering Intern Patrick Farrell.

The trio discuss the CEWIT annual hackathon, Hack@CEWIT, the opportunities hackathons provide for students, and how Patrick's first hackathon lead to a first polace award and an internship with SRC Inc.

2025 High School Hackathon: Eric Tompkins

Featuring:
Derek O'Connor
Manager, Workforce Development
Office for Research and Innovation

Eric Tompkins
Teacher, Computer Science
MacArthur High School

In this episode of the Innovation Edge podcast, Derek O'COnnor, Manager of Workforce Development, interviews the MacArthur High School Hackathon team along with thier teacher Eric Tompkins.

The group discuss their experience at their first-ever hackathon, the challenges of the event, and how they continue to develop their skills with college on the horizon.
2025 High School Hackathon: Kuri DiFede

Featuring:
Derek O'Connor
Manager, Workforce Development
Office for Research and Innovation

Kuri DiFede
Teacher, Computer Science and Robotics
Mineola High School

In this episode of the Innovation Edge podcast, Derek O'COnnor, Manager of Workforce Development, interviews Mineola High School teacher Kuri DiFede during the 2025 High School Hackathon at CEWIT.

Derek and Kuri talk about the inmportance of collaboration to foster skillsets in hackathon environments and explore future collaboration opportunities between CEWIT and Mineola High School.
2025 High School Hackathon: John Hirdt

Featuring:
Derek O'Connor
Manager, Workforce Development
Office for Research and Innovation

John Hirdt
Teacher, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Robotics
Longwood High School

In this episode of the Innovation Edge podcast, Derek O'COnnor, Manager of Workforce Development, interviews Longwood High School teacher John Hirdt during the 2025 High School Hackathon at CEWIT.

Derek and John talk about Longwood High School returning for the second annual high school hackathon, how Longwood prepared students and assembled a hackathon team, and the importance of teaching computer science.
Charting the Future of Quantitative Finance: Insights from Alphathon 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

Featuring:
Christos Koutsoyannis, PhD
Chief Investment Officer, Atlas Ridge Capital
Adjunct Professor, NYU Courant

Pawel Polak, PhD
Assistant Professor, Stony Brook University
January 10, 2025

In this episode of the Innovation Edge podcast, CEWIT Engineering Manager Chris Lange sits down with Atlas Ridge Capital CIO and NYU Courant adjunct professor Christos Koutsoyannis, PhD and Stony Brook University assistant professor.

Together the trio review the success of the first-ever CEWIT Alphathon, provide insight on quantitative finance, and tease future projects in collaboration with CEWIT.
Keeping Your Head Above Water: The Challenges of Developing
Stormwater Management Solutions

Featuring:
Sean Callahan, P.E.
Senior Discipline Engineer
H2M Architects + Engineers
April 26, 2024

In this special episode of the CEWIT Podcast, CEWIT Engineering Manager Chris Lange sits down with Sean Callahan, P.E., Senior Discipline Engineer at H2M Architects + Engineering, to discuss the challenges in creating stormwater management solutions.
Sean was a mentor at the latest working session for The New York Climate Exchange AI Innovation Challenge Working Session, where Stony Brook University student teams develop stormwater management solutions using IBM's Watsonx AI and datasets from Moodys.
Growing Your Patch: Using AI to Combat Climate Change

Featuring:
Klaar De Schepper
Principal and Founder
Flux Tailor
March 1, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Klaar De Schepper, Principal and Founder of Flux Tailor.
Chris and Klaar explore the growing need to discuss the realities of climate change, solutions AI can provide, and how taking small steps or "growing your patch" can make a big change in climate sustainability.
Data Models and Healthcare: Creating Better Healthcare Through AI

Featuring:
Dr. Theodoros Zanos
Head of the Division of AI in Healthcare
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
February 16, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Dr. Theodoros Zanos, Head of the Division of AI in Health at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
Chris and Theo discuss how using data models and AI can create better healthcare services.
AI in Healthcare: Utilizing Data to Help Clinicians

Featuring:
Dr. Nevenka Dimitrova
Visiting Computational Oncology Advisor
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
February 16, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Dr. Nevenka Dimitrova, Visiting Computational Oncology Advisor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Chris and Nevenka discuss how utilizing data in healthcare can be beneficial to clinicians.
Limitations and Possibilities: Discussing the Limitations of Machine Learning

Featuring:
Dr. Carlos Soto
Associate Computational Scientist
Brookhaven National Laboratory
February 2, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Dr. Carlos Soto, Associate Computational Scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Chris and Carlos discuss the evolution of machine learning, including its limitations and possibilities.
Building a Future with AI: The Biggest Technological Change
in Human History

Featuring:
Dr. Alejandro Jaimes
Chief Scientist and SVP of Artificial Intelligence
Dataminr
February 2, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Dr. Alejandro Jaimes, Chief Scientist and SVP of Artificial Intelligence at Dataminr.
Chris and Alex discuss building a future with AI and why it is considered "the biggest technological change in human history".
A Green Revolution: Discussing the Impact of AI in Sustainable
Research and Technology

Featuring:
Lloyd Treinish
Chief Scientist for Climate and Weather
IBM Research
January 19, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Lloyd Treinish, Chief Scientist for Climate and Weather at IBM Research.
Together, they discuss the impact of AI on sustainable research and technologies.
A Perfect Storm: The Role of AI in Forecast Modeling and Sustainability

Featuring:
Robert D'Arienzo
Associate Partner of Energy, Environment, & Utilities
IBM
January 19, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Robert D'Arienzo, Associate Partner of Energy, Environment, and Utilities at IBM.
Together, they discuss the role of AI in forecast modeling and sustainability.
Order in the Court: The Regulation f Blockchain and AI's Impact on Attorneys

Featuring:
Kyle M. Lawrence, Esq.
Partner
Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman LLP
January 2, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Kyle M. Lawrence, Esq., Partner, at Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman LLP.
Chris and Kyle discuss the impact AI has on legal practices and the potential regulation of this emerging technology.
Fresh Off the Press: How AI is Changing Journalism as we Know It

Featuring:
Tracy Wang
Contributing Writer, Crypto Journalist
Rolling Stone
January 2, 2024

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Tracy Wang, Contributing Writer and Freelance Crypto Journalist, Rolling Stone.
Chris and Tracy discuss the impact of AI on modern journalism.
AI in Society: Existing in a World with a Co-Creator of Knowledge

Featuring:
Mary Strain
Business Development Manager
Amazon Web Services
December 15, 2023

In this episode of the CEWIT podcast, Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Mary Strain, Business Development Manager at Amazon Web Services.
Chris and Mary discuss the impact of AI in our daily lives, coexisting with a "Co-creator of Knowledge" and what it means for our careers, education, and more.
AI and Following Your Passion: Opportunities to Bring Students Together

Featuring:
Dr. Carl W. Lejuez
Executive Vice President and Provost
Stony Brook University
December 15, 2023

In this premiere episode, CEWIT Engineering Manager Chris Lange is joined by Stony Brook University Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Carl W. Lejuez.
The two discuss the relationship between AI and students and the opportunities it presents for them to follow their passions.