CSU STEM NET

STEM-NET in Action at Defining the Future 2026!

We’re proud to highlight Dr. Frank A. Gomez, who is contributing his expertise at the Defining the Future 2026 conference at Cal State San Bernardino.

Dr. Gomez is moderating a session focused on NSF ExLENT (Experiential Learning for Emerging Novel Technologies)—a powerful initiative aimed at expanding workforce pathways and hands-on learning opportunities in cutting-edge fields.

In addition, he is participating in the session “Collective Intelligence: Collaborative Models for Breakthrough Research,” where leaders from academia and industry explore how partnerships can drive innovation and student success.

This work reflects STEM-NET’s mission to:

Strengthen collaboration across institutions
Expand access to emerging technology careers
Support students through high-impact, real-world learning experiences

Catch the session and join the conversation on building the future workforce through collaboration and innovation.

We’re proud to spotlight Dominique Nunez Garcia, a senior civil engineering student at Fresno State, whose undergraduate research experience was made possible through a STEM-NET SEED grant awarded to her faculty mentor, Dr. Xiangxiong Kong, with Dr. Laura Huisinga as Co-PI.

As a paid undergraduate research assistant on this STEM-NET-supported project, Dominique helped develop a virtual reality tool for civil infrastructure inspection while gaining valuable research, writing, and professional experience. She also had the opportunity to present at the 2026 SPIE AR | VR | MR Conference.

Her story reflects how STEM-NET SEED funding supports faculty innovation and creates impactful research opportunities for students.

Read her story here: https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/research/stem-net/Pages/highlights/dominique-nunez-garcia-and-a-new-vr-tool-for-civil-infrastructure-inspection.aspx

-NET

We are proud to share that Dr. Frank A. Gomez, Executive Director of CSU STEM-NET, attended and presented at the 2026 California AI-Cybersecurity Workforce Development & Education Summit at Los Angeles Valley College.

This important gathering brought together leaders from higher education, industry, and workforce development to advance conversations around AI, cybersecurity, innovation, and preparing students for the future workforce. Dr. Gomez’s participation highlighted CSU STEM-NET’s continued commitment to strengthening pathways for student success, faculty engagement, and cross-sector collaboration in emerging STEM fields.

During the event, Dr. Gomez connected with fellow leaders and presenters, including Dr. Edgar Perez, Dr. Sankha Banerjee of Fresno State, Dr. Jose Alfredo Millan Higuera of Cal Poly Pomona, and Dr. Keith Clement of Fresno State.

We are excited to see CSU STEM-NET represented in conversations that help shape California’s future workforce in AI and cybersecurity.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Save the Date:
CSU Live Webcast on Quantum Information Science & Technology (QIST) + Quantum Computing (QC) Webcast
We invite CSU faculty, administrators, staff, and students to attend this live webcast, hosted by STEM-NET within the Department of Research, featuring:
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:20 PM (Zoom Lobby opens at 10:55 AM)
Featured topics include:
• Quantum Frontiers Across the CSU
• Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Quantum Sensing
• Quantum Computing Education
• Quantum State Engineering
Speakers:
• Dr. Youngmin Kim (CSUSB)
• Dr. Gina Passante (CSUF)
• Dr. Yang Peng (CSUN)
• Dr. Ehsan Khatami (SJSU)
• Dr. Hilary Hurst (SJSU)
Register by 3/09/2026: [https://calstate.zoom.us/.../WN_GF_mqIDZSBa-YiGKqL29nQ...](https://calstate.zoom.us/.../WN_GF_mqIDZSBa-YiGKqL29nQ...)
Meet the Presenters here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc9bWY0OSsU&feature=youtu.be

Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) and Quantum Computing (QC)- Meet the Presenters Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) and Quantum Computing (QC) Live Webcast Presented by the Department of ResearchDate: Tuesday, March 10, 202...