IEEE IES Young Professionals Spotlight: Leandro Buss Becker
Spotlight on Prof. Leandro Buss Becker, IEEE IES Brazil Activities Committee, Professor, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil
Prof. Leandro Buss Becker is an active leader within IEEE IES, serving as a member of the IEEE IES Brazil Activities Committee, Organizer of the IEEE IES Brazilian Members Workshop (2025), and Chairperson of both the IEEE IES Student & Young Professional (SYP) Congress 2026 and the 28th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT) Congress 2027 Organizing Committees. He has played a key role in strengthening IEEE IES presence in Brazil and promoting engagement across Latin America.
“Through my involvement in IEEE IES activities, I have had the opportunity to establish a collaboration network with an international community, support regional initiatives, and contribute to the development of students and young professionals. This makes a difference in my academic career.”
IEEE IES Journey
Becker: I joined IEEE in 1999, when I started the PhD program. My first IES conference was ETFA 2003, in Lisbon, which I very much enjoyed. Later, in 2014, I went on board on the organizing committee of INDIN 2014, which occurred in Porto Alegre, Brazil. My enrollment as an IES member occurred shortly after participating in ETFA 2018, in Turin. In 2025 I was nominated chair of the IES Brazilian Activities Committee. Together with Brazilian colleagues we submitted the application to host SYP congress 2026, and our proposal ended up being accepted. I also successfully applied to host in Brazil ICIT 2027. In 2025 I joined the IES Students and Young Professionals Committee, and in 2026 I joined the IES Membership Activities Committee. My next step in the society will be towards becoming an IEEE Senior member.
Research & Impact
- Fields: Embedded systems, real-time systems, cyber–physical systems, multiagent systems, industrial electronics.
- Academic Leadership: Faculty member at UFSC, advancing education, research, and international collaboration.
- Scholarly Contributions: Focus on real-time and embedded computing, multiagent and cyber–physical systems, with strong research collaborations.
- Global Engagement: Promote student involvement, regional growth, and global IEEE IES collaboration.
Q&A with Prof. Leandro Buss Becker
What motivated you to get involved in IEEE IES and volunteer within the Brazil Activities Team?
I had the opportunity to attend the Symposium on Computing Systems Engineering (SBESC) in 2024, where I met the IES president at the time, Prof. Milos Manic. I was truly inspired by his efforts to advance the society and expressed my willingness to support IES activities in Brazil. After several rounds of discussion, also with the support of other Brazilian colleagues, we developed the idea of proposing the Brazil Activities Committee.
You were involved in organizing the IEEE IES Brazilian Members Workshop 2025. What were the key outcomes of this initiative for the local IES community?
The organization of the IEEE IES Brazilian Members Workshop 2025 produced several important outcomes for the local IES community. First, it helped strengthen connections among IES members in Brazil, creating a space where researchers, students, and professionals could interact, exchange ideas, and build new collaborations. Second, the workshop increased member engagement in IES activities by providing opportunities for participants to learn about the society’s initiatives, committees, and ways to get involved in technical and organizational efforts. Finally, the event contributed to establishing stronger ties with the local industry, fostering dialogue between academia and industrial partners and highlighting opportunities for collaboration in areas aligned with the interests of the IES community.
As part of the IEEE IES SYP Congress 2026 organization, what is your vision for the event and its impact on students and young professionals?
My vision for the IEEE IES SYP Congress 2026 is to create an inspiring environment that actively engages students and young professionals and strengthens their connection with the Industrial Electronics Society. The event should motivate students to promote IES activities within their own institutions, helping to expand the society’s presence and build sustainable local communities. A key aspect of this vision is to truly embrace the needs and aspirations of young professionals by offering opportunities for networking, mentorship, and professional development.
Through interactions with experienced researchers, industry representatives, and society leaders, participants can gain guidance and inspiration for their academic and professional paths. Additionally, the congress should help increase the visibility of the society and its members within the local industry. By fostering stronger connections with industry, the event can highlight the relevance of IES research and activities while opening doors for collaboration, innovation, and career opportunities for students and young professionals. Overall, the goal is for the congress to serve as a catalyst that empowers the next generation of engineers to actively contribute to the growth of the IES community and to the advancement of industrial electronics.
How does hosting major IES activities in Brazil help strengthen regional engagement and the global IES community?
Hosting a key event in Brazil helps strengthen regional engagement by bringing the society closer to researchers, students, and industry professionals in the region. Thereby, participants can directly experience the scale, diversity, and impact of the IES community. This proximity helps create a strong sense of belonging, motivating local members to become more actively involved in the society’s initiatives and collaborations. At the same time, such events showcase the global dimension of IES, connecting Brazilian participants with leading international researchers and professionals from around the world. This interaction not only expands professional networks but also highlights the breadth and strength of the society, leaving participants impressed by its scope and opportunities. As a result, hosting major activities in Brazil both deepens regional engagement and reinforces the cohesion and visibility of the global IES community.
What advice would you give to students and young professionals who want to actively engage in IEEE IES and take on leadership roles?
Start by engaging with leaders and making yourself available. Focus on small, consistent contributions, every effort counts. Attend society meetings regularly to understand how it operates, and over time, you’ll be ready to take on bigger opportunities.
By Azadeh Kermansaravi, Harindra Mavikumbure
and Chathurika S Wickramasinghe Brahmana M, Chair of the IEEE IES Young Professionals Activity Committee (YPS-AC)
Stay tuned, more Young Professionals Spotlights coming soon…