I3@USD-Fall 2025

News Briefs contacts. Before Morse’s work, these cases were often dismissed by the medical community. Through his efforts, he brought scientific credibility to these injuries — a breakthrough he considers his most significant professional achievement.

Kathleen Kramer, PhD, IEEE President and CEO

For more than 30 years, he has consulted in more than 600 cases across all 50 states and three continents, testifying in both state and federal courts. His testimony has been upheld on appeal, and his work has led to settlements and awards in the tens of millions of dollars. Morse’s motivation, however, extends beyond financial gain; he regularly offers his services pro bono to those in need and believes that litigation can drive safer engineering practices: “When I help to convince a jury that a company did something wrong, that company takes note to consulting achievements, Morse is an adventurer at heart. He has completed 36 skydiving jumps, survived a parachute failure, served as a charter boat captain to Alaska and Hawaii and is an avid sailor, pilot and scuba diver. Morse’s life is rich with unique experiences. He has officiated weddings, negotiated divorces, been quoted in major publications and consulted for television writers on technically accurate “murders” for Bones , NCIS and the BBC. As his phased retirement ends in Fall 2025, Morse looks forward to remaining engaged with USD and the broader community. Reflecting on his career, he remains humble: “I am but a very small cog in a very large machine, but I am proud to have been that cog … Every student I have taught has been an honor, and teaching has truly been the most important thing in my career.” make the product better.” Beyond his academic and

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) — the world's largest technical and professional society that brings more than 500,000 engineers and scientists worldwide together — Kathleen Kramer, PhD, is working

toward a “One IEEE” mission to unite the global scientific community. Her vision draws from IEEE's 2025-2030 strategic plan, which focuses on advancing technology, inspiring future innovators and providing a professional home for members. The plan prioritizes ethical development, interdisciplinary collaboration and career-long learning. Kramer also emphasizes the importance of a broad and deep education, practical experience and fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment to address future challenges in fields such as AI and sustainable technology. Thomas F. Schubert Jr., PhD, Receives Emeritus Status

An Electrifying Career Michael Morse, PhD Retires Fall 2025 earned a bachelor’s degree and a

The University of San Diego’s Board of Trustees approved faculty emeritus status for Thomas F. Schubert Jr., PhD, marking the first such honor for a professor in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. As the second engineering faculty member at USD, Schubert was pivotal

F or nearly four decades, role of an electrical engineering professor at the University of San Diego, driving meaningful change through innovation and advocacy. “My first love is, and always has been, teaching,” Morse reflects, describing his time with students as the greatest honor of his life. But step beyond the podium and you’ll discover a man whose career is as electrifying as his subject matter: a pioneering researcher, courtroom expert, licensed attorney, adventurer and advocate for ethical engineering. His academic journey began at Tulane University, where he By Michelle Sztupkay Michael Morse, PhD, has been transcending the traditional

students to “always be ethical and responsible and to understand that poor choices have real human costs.” Inspired by a Tulane professor’s expert witness work, Morse began consulting on electrical injury cases at age 27. He saw this as an opportunity to apply his engineering knowledge to promote “better engineering practices on a larger scale and do good for society.” Morse’s educational philosophy is rooted in real-world relevance. His research on electricity’s effects on the human body led him to identify and name Diffuse Electrical Injury — a previously unrecognized condition where victims suffer debilitating symptoms from minor electrical

in developing the electrical engineering curriculum. During his seven-year tenure as director of engineering programs, he tripled student enrollment. Schubert also co-authored a proposal for a new mechanical engineering program, led multiple ABET accreditation efforts and was recognized with the prestigious 2012 ASEE Robert G. Quinn Award for excellence in engineering education. His distinguished career has left a lasting impact on the school.

master’s degree, each in biomedical engineering, followed by a PhD from Clemson University. After early roles in industry and at Auburn University, Morse joined USD in 1990, as one of the founding faculty members of the new electrical engineering program. He added a law degree from USD to his credentials in 1999. Morse’s teaching portfolio is broad, encompassing biomedical engineering, forensic engineering, engineering law and courses at the intersection of humans and technology. Through his work, he emphasizes the legal and moral ramifications of engineering decisions and encourages

Welcoming Our New Embedded Librarian

Assistant Professor Michael Massaro, MSLIS, joined the University of San Diego in Spring 2025 as Copley Library’s new engineering and computer science embedded librarian. With a background in computer science and engineering librarianship, his innovative position aims to provide assistance

to faculty members and students in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering with library resources, research, publishing, coding, internships, instruction, jobs, collection development, artificial intelligence and general guidance.

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