Sowmya Venkataramani has a Ph.D in physics from Brown University. Funded by DARPA Bio-Info-Micro Program, her dissertation research focused on designing and developing InGaN/AlInGn light emitting diode arrays (LED’s) for dynamic imaging of neural circuitry. Sowmya successfully cultured and patterned two dimensional networks of hippocampal neurons using novel micro-contact printing techniques and used fluorescence-based imaging techniques to study signal transmission in these artificially patterned networks. Sowmya was a recipient of the Burroughs Welcome Fellowship. As a post-doc at UC San Diego, Sowmya developed two-photon imaging methods to study synaptic plasticity in cortical neurons. Working at the Casey Eye Institute, at OHSU, Sowmya studied synaptic mechanisms involved in visual processing, in particular studying direction and orientation selectivity in retinal ganglion cells. Building on her diverse background in Physics and Neurophysiology, Sowmya has worked in the field of patents and tech transfer, where she has served as a patent specialist and scientific advisor, advising on inventions in the fields of medical devices, optical systems, driver assistance systems, and engine systems for Fortune 500 companies and Universities. At Intel, Sowmya first started in the Global Supply Chain organization, where she was a Technical Program Manager managing key metrology programs and driving collaborations with suppliers and developing solutions to meet Intel’s roadmaps. Currently, she is a Program Director in the University Research and Collaboration group in Intel Labs where she manages Intel's academic research investments in the areas of Artificial Intelligence and Neuromorphic Computing. She is also Program Director of Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio.