Monthly Archives: October 2025

Red Chair Pittsburgh’s Annual Event Held at UPMC Event Center on October 23, 2025

The annual Red Chair Pittsburgh Annual Event was held at the UPMC Events Center on October 23, 2025. This year’s theme was New Horizons: Empowering Women, Shaping What’s Next.

Welcome remarks were given by RMU’s Provost, Dr. Joe Zimmer. This was followed by a keynote given by Kathleen Lovett, VP & CIO of Supply Chain at VSP Vision. This empowering keynote address was followed by a moderated panel discussion that included a panel of inspiring speakers, including the keynote speaker and four others:

  • Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, CISSP, Senior Solutions Engineer at Microsoft
  • Dr. Karen Paullet, Professor of CIS at RMU
  • Jenn Sydeski, Health Tech & Life Sciences Innovator and Strategist
  • Laura Freedman, Senior Vice President, Wealth Management at Raymond James

The panel was moderated by the talented:

  • Meesha Gerhart, Founder & CEO, RedTree Web Design
Panel Speakers at Red Chair Pittsburgh 2025 (L to R): Jenn Sydeski, Laura Freedman, Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, Dr. Karen Paullet, Kathleen Lovett, and Meesha Gerhart

A number of RMU students were able to attend, network, and become part of this incredible community supporting women in tech.

Dr. Stephen Mancini Wins the IGI Global Scientific ‘Reviewer of the Year Award’

IGI Global Scientific Publishing recently announced the winners of its second annual “Reviewer of the Year Award.” This honor is proudly supported by the publisher’s Open Access Journal Program.

Selection Process Details

To be considered for a nomination, an IGI Global editorial board member had to have actively provided quality, timely peer reviews throughout the previous year (2024).

The award selection process measured performance based on a rigorous set of criteria: the volume of completed reviews, the quality of those reviews, and the timeliness with which they were completed. All of this performance data is meticulously tracked and documented through the publisher’s proprietary system, the eEditorial Discovery System (eED).

Awards were presented to a top editorial review board member and a top associate editor from each of the publisher’s three major disciplinary groups:

  • Business & Management
  • Scientific, Technical, & Medical (STM)
  • Education & Social Sciences

This award acknowledges the critical, behind-the-scenes work that sustains the integrity and quality of published research. The winner of the Scientific, Technical, & Medical (STM) category is RMU’s very own Dr. Stephen Mancini.

Dr. Stephen Mancini is considered an expert in leadership, cybersecurity, and understanding the challenges of cybercrime. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Liberty University and a master’s degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He holds various certifications in information systems and project management, and has spent the past 30 years as a leader in cybersecurity and cybercrime for the DHS Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency and the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance.

Dr. Mancini is a distinguished educator and subject-matter expert in cybercrime, cybersecurity, and cyber policy. He has taught at the National Defense University and is currently a faculty member at RMU. He has trained global representatives on these critical issues. Beyond his academic work, Dr. Mancini has authored publications on cyber topics, co-hosts the radio program “Italian Impact Weekly,” and is the Director of the highly acclaimed documentary, “Fedelta. Soldier. Prisoner.”

FLEAP Fair on October 22

Interested in studying abroad while earning academic credit? Visit the FLEAP Fair on Wednesday, October 22nd to explore exciting international opportunities!

The CIS Department is offering two 3-credit courses in Spring 2026 as Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) experiences:

  • INFS 3100: Global Perspectives of Information Security
  • CYBS 4360: Emerging Topics in Cybersecurity

Students will complete coursework in the Spring semester at RMU and then finish the class on an international trip in May 2026, led by the faculty. Past students have studied in destinations like Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and Norway. This year’s adventure takes you to Germany and Belgium!

Come by the FLEAP Fair to learn more and start planning your global experience! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Dr. Paullet at paullet@rmu.edu or Dr. Pinchot at pinchot@rmu.edu.

FLEAP Fair
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Wheatley Lobby:  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Dr. Parul Yadav Receives the Woman in Research Excellence – Global Woman of Science Award

Congratulations to Dr. Parul Yadav!

The “Woman in Research Excellence – Global Woman of Science Award” is an ElevateX Award given at the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Networking (ICAIN). Dr. Parul Yadav received this award at ICAIN 2025, held in Dubai this October, for her contributions to research and innovation. The award celebrates women’s achievements in research, focusing on merit-based evaluation of innovation, impact, and leadership, especially in AI and related fields.

The ICAIN conference brings together scientists, researchers, and industry experts to discuss advancements in computing and networking. The ICAIN 2025 event was organized by BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, in association with the Universal Innovators and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad.

  • Award Goal: The ElevateX Awards, which included the “Woman in Research Excellence” category, were created to recognize individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions in research, academia, and industry.
  • Selection Process: The awards used a merit-based selection process with multiple stages of evaluation, including a call for nominations, an initial screening, and a final review by an expert committee. 

Congratulations again to Dr. Parul Yadav!

Cybersecurity Engineer Position Available at Bayer

Job Description:

As an Associate Cybersecurity Engineer within Bayer’s Medical Device Cybersecurity group, you play a crucial role in securing Bayer Radiology medical devices and software against potential cyber threats. Your responsibilities include reviewing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, assessing their likelihood of exploitation, and evaluating potential impacts on the safety and effectiveness of Bayer Radiology medical devices. You will also design and develop solutions to mitigate cybersecurity risks associated with Bayer Radiology medical devices, software, and IT products. This position operates on a global scale, ensuring the security of Bayer’s medical devices worldwide.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

  • Fulfill requirements defined by others;
  • Support the development of one design element at a time within a selected discipline;
  • Learn about the product and clinical applications;
  • Gain a guided understanding of direct interfaces (inputs/outputs) within relevant processes;
  • Participate in cybersecurity design reviews;
  • Receive clearly defined objectives and instructions from a more experienced lead engineer, cybersecurity engineer, or supervisor;
  • Accurately follow directions;
  • Communicate work activities effectively;
  • Contact and gather information from suppliers;
  • Communicate work activities effectively.
  • The primary location for this role is Indianola, PA (Pittsburgh, PA area).

For more information or to submit an application, click here: Cybersecurity Engineer

Robotics & AI Discovery Day 2025

Explore Innovation in the Robotics Capital of the World at Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day!

This free and open event showcases cutting-edge robotics, automation, and AI solutions that are driving innovation across multiple industries.

From business leaders looking to innovate, to tech enthusiasts exploring the latest trends, to job seekers searching for emerging career opportunities, to those simply curious about how robotics and AI are reshaping our world – this event has something for everyone.

Be part of the action, engage with industry influencers, and witness firsthand the power of robotics and advanced technology in the heart of Western Pennsylvania. Your journey into the future starts here—mark your calendar and join the thousands attending Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day!

For more information: Pittsburgh Robotics & AI Discovery Day

Need a ride? Fill out the form. If there is enough interest, RMU will provide transportation. Interest Form

Red Chair Pittsburgh’s 2025 Annual Event

The countdown is on! We are just two weeks away from Red Chair Pittsburgh’s 2025 Annual Event, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our incredible community of women in tech, allies, and changemakers.

This year’s theme, New Horizons: Empowering Women, Shaping What’s Next, is all about exploring bold ideas, sparking new connections, and celebrating the future we are building together.

Here’s what you can look forward to:
✨ VIP Experience for deeper networking and meaningful conversations
✨ Dynamic Keynote to inspire innovation and growth
✨ Powerful Panel of bold voices sharing real-world strategies and stories
✨ A Room Full of Trailblazers ready to elevate one another
 

📅 Date: October 23, 2025
⌚ Time: 6:00 PM
🧭 Location: UPMC Events Center


 

🎟️ Seats are limited, and the countdown is ticking. Secure your ticket today before they’re gone!
👉 Get Your Ticket Now 

We are a 100% volunteer organization. Your donations (big or small), sponsorships, and ticket purchases directly support the opportunities we are able to offer to future candidates.

RMU has a limited number of discounted tickets available for students. Please contact Dr. Paullet (paullet@rmu.edu) for more details.

We hope to see you soon for an unforgettable evening of empowerment, connection, and celebration.

Advanced Persistent Threat Presentation by Lucas Franklin

Please join us for a speaker series presentation sponsored by the Top Secret Colonials. The presentation will be given by Lucas Franklin and will be focused on Advanced Persistent Threats.

  • Date: October 15th
  • Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
  • Place: Wheatley Atrium

Lucas Franklin will be sharing insights from a notable cyber incident he encountered involving suspected Russian advanced persistent threats (APTs) during his tenure at #1 Cochran. Prior to pursuing a graduate degree, Lucas served as the head of cybersecurity at #1 Cochran, where he led efforts to safeguard the organization’s digital infrastructure.

Lucas Franklin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from IUP in 2022. Shortly after, he joined the IT department at #1 Cochran, where he rapidly took on key responsibilities including overseeing major acquisitions, leading technical training initiatives, and managing cybersecurity operations. In 2024, he departed the company to pursue a Master’s in Cybersecurity at WGU.

Dr. Jamie Pinchot Receives Ben Bauman Award for Excellence at IACIS 2025


Dr. Jamie Pinchot received the Ben Bauman Award for Excellence at the International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS) 2025 Conference in Clearwater, FL, on October 3, 2025.  (conference link here)

The Ben Bauman Award for Excellence honors faculty members who have demonstrated significant contributions and dedication to the field of information systems, including service to their university and community.

Dr. Pinchot was recognized during the ceremony as a distinguished academic who has taught at the university level for over 20 years with a teaching portfolio that spans undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses. Her scholarly research has focused on the areas of information privacy and security, mobile technologies, social media and online human behavior, and human-centered design in software development. Further, she has chaired 15 doctoral dissertation committees and served on an additional 33 dissertation committees during her tenure at RMU. Dr. Pinchot has also served RMU as Director of the Ph.D. in Information Systems and Communications and currently serves as Department Head for the Computer and Information Systems department, where she oversees 5 undergraduate programs, 6 Master’s degree programs, and the Ph.D. program. She has also served as Co-PI on two NSF grants and has been RMU’s representative for the National Center for Women & Technology (NCWIT). Dr. Pinchot’s full bio can be found here.

(left to right, Evan Kinney, Dr. G. Alan Davis, Dr. Natalya Bromall, Dr. Sushma Mishra, Dr. Jamie Pinchot, Dr. John Stewart, Shadrack Oriaro, Dr. Karen Paullet, and Amy Kulikowski)

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Pinchot on this award, honoring her impressive record of service as a teacher, scholar, and administrator in the field of information systems.

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