Professor Rhonda Franklin, McKnight Presidential Endowed Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota
I AM…a Microwave Engineering Professor Advancing Wireless Technology and Building Strong, Inclusive Pathways for Future Engineers.
What Made You Choose This Field?
Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was inspired by NASA and shows like Star Trek. I originally planned to become a lawyer, but after attending a National Science Foundation sponsored summer engineering camp at a local university during high school, my path changed.
In college at Texas A&M, I explored different areas in electrical engineering before choosing applied electromagnetics. The combination of math, science, and translating it to hardware was intriguing. A fellowship placed me at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory during undergraduate school, where I was encouraged to move into higher-frequency electronics. When I began designing radio-frequency tools to protect workers, I knew I had found my field. It charted my path in and during graduate school at the University of Michigan.
Since then, my work has supported wireless communication, space research, health monitoring, and environmental sensing.
What Is Your Favorite Part of Your Job?
I love learning and helping others grow. As a professor, I get to explore important challenges, develop creative solutions, and teach the principles behind them.
Most of all, I value mentoring students—watching them build confidence, discover their strengths, and prepare to lead in engineering and serve society. This has fueled my interest and fascination in designing mentoring programs to advance the professional part of the engineer.
What Excites You About IMS2026?
We are at a turning point in wireless technology. Systems are becoming more powerful and more connected to daily life.
I’m excited about shaping innovations that improve communication and healthcare while being responsible to people and the environment—and preparing the next generation of engineers to lead that work.