Events Calendar

ECE Pioneer Series: Ming Hsieh

Speaker: Dr. Ming Hsieh, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Talk Title: From Rural Northeastern China to the American National Academy of Engineering: The Transformative Journey of a Young Boy Empowered by Interdisciplinary Electrophysics & Electrical Systems Education

Series: ECE Pioneer Series

Abstract: This seminar traces the transformative journey of Ming Hsieh, from his early education in rural Northeastern China to becoming a distinguished member of the American National Academy of Engineering. Hsieh’s passion for engineering began at the age of 14 in 1970, deeply influenced by his father, an electrical engineer and scientist, who was dedicated to bringing electricity to rural villages in Northern China. Beginning his studies in Semiconductor Physics/Devices at Southern China University of Technology in 1978, Hsieh shifted his academic focus after transferring to the University of Southern California (USC) in 1981. Under the mentorship of Professor Kurt Lehovec in the Electrical Engineering (EE) Electrophysics group, Hsieh integrated the disciplines of electrophysics and electrical systems. This interdisciplinary education laid the foundation for his professional career, where he pioneered innovations at the intersection of physics and systems. His work, ranging from deploying large-scale biometric systems to accelerating breakthroughs in biomedical research and cancer therapeutics, demonstrates the transformative power of a unified approach to engineering and science. Through his story, Hsieh exemplifies how a robust, interdisciplinary education can lead to groundbreaking advancements with a global impact.

Biography: Ming Hsieh, BSEE ’83, MSEE ’84, is co-founder, president, CEO and chairman of the board of Cogent, Inc., one of the top providers of fingerprint identification systems in the United States.  His generous gift of $35 million was the largest ever to name an engineering department in the United States. Ten years later, his endowment continues to set the course for electrical engineering’s expansion into new realms of human invention.  As our field grows, so too does the quality of our academic standards and the ability of our graduates to meet the challenges of today's global community.  
 
Below is a sampling of stories and events related to Dr. Hsieh:
 
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (2006-2016): The Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Read about some of our department's greatest achievements in the decade since Ming Hsieh's gift. https://magazine.viterbi.usc.edu/fall-2016/whats-next/greatest-hits-vol-1-2006-2016-the-ming-hsieh-department-of-electrical-engineering/
 
Q+A: Ming Hsieh - On the 10th anniversary of his naming gift to the USC Viterbi Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ming Hsieh spoke about the department, cancer research and his desire to give back. https://magazine.viterbi.usc.edu/fall-2016/whats-next/qa-ming-hsieh/
 
Putting a Fingerprint on Electrical Engineering - Cogent, Inc. co-founder and Viterbi School alumnus Ming Hsieh has given $35 million to name the School's oldest and most prominent department. Read this cover story about him from the Fall/Winter 2006 USC Viterbi Engineer magazine. https://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2006/putting-a-fingerprint.htm
 
Viterbi School Celebrates a Momentous Gift to Name the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - The Viterbi School celebrates a record-breaking gift and naming of the third department in its history at a red-carpet ceremony held in the Ronald Tutor Hall Courtyard. https://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2006/usc-alumnus-ming.htm

Host: Dr. Richard Leahy, leahy@usc.edu

More Information: Screenshot 2024-10-23 at 10.59.36 AM.png

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - EEB 132

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Cathy Huang