About the Star

Jay Weitzen grew up in the cold upper Midwest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended his state school, the University of Wisconsin and received his BSEE and MSEE degrees. After a couple of years of working he returned to Wisconsin to complete his Ph.D in 1983. After working in industry, he joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts Lowell (then called University of Lowell) in 1986 and currently holds the rank of Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests include modeling, measuring and optimizing the performance of very large wireless communication networks, and in developing the new femtocell technology which we will see in our homes in the next couple of years. At the University he teaches graduate classes in Communication Theory and Wireless communication and the infamous first year “Intro to Engineering II” class. When not engaged in teaching or research he likes to do Middle Eastern folk dancing, downhill skiing, small sailboat racing, and biking.

About his Partner

Pia Ferracin has been with the Ballroom program for 3 years. She is currently a Mathematical Sciences Senior student, graduating in May. Her interests, aside from Ballroom Dancing, include ice skating, going for car rides, culturalization, and art. She enjoys education, and is hoping to make enlightening people's lives through teaching her career.

Beginning Interview

This interview was taken during week 2 of 10 of Jay's preparation.