Semiconductor Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
The California DREAMS SURF Program at the University of Southern California provides undergraduates with immersive summer experiences in advanced microelectronics, featuring two distinct training programs:
Analog BootCamp Program
The Analog BootCamp is a hands-on training program that equips students with practical skills in electrical engineering, including printed circuit board (PCB) layout, testing instrumentation proficiency, and analog circuit debugging. Through hands-on labs and demonstrations, participants gain competence working with professional tools such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, and signal generators, as well as the confidence and mindsets necessary to identify and fix errors in complex circuits.
Exposure to professional instruments through the Analog BootCamp allows students to qualify for the Analog Instrumentation IEEE micro-credential. Completion of the program enables participants to showcase the IEEE badge on their LinkedIn profiles or resumes.
Developed by the University of Southern California (USC) with funding from the DOW Microelectronics Commons, the Analog BootCamp combines technical training with career development through weekly industry speaker panels and a final capstone presentation.
Cleanroom Gateway Program
The Cleanroom Gateway provides students with an immersive introduction to semiconductor nanofabrication and research. Participants begin with a one-week, hands-on training program in USC’s state-of-the-art John O’Brien Nanofabrication Laboratory, where they learn to use essential tools, processes, and safety practices in microfabrication. Over the following six weeks, students apply these skills through lab-based research and prototyping projects focused on next-generation semiconductor devices, gaining practical experience in this critical technology area.
Through this program, students develop the foundational knowledge and technical expertise necessary to make meaningful contributions to semiconductor research. Completion of the Cleanroom Gateway offers direct experience with industry-standard tools and workflows and the opportunity to earn IEEE micro-credentials.
Developed by the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with funding from the DOW Microelectronics Commons, the Cleanroom Gateway combines technical training, industry engagement, and hands-on research to prepare students for careers in the semiconductor workforce.
Industry Lunch & Learn Panels
Each week, SURF students come together for panels and conversations with engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the microelectronics, innovation, and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. These sessions highlight work ranging from aerospace and medtech to startups and venture investment, giving students perspective on how different industries operate, the roles that drive them, and how ideas and expertise move from the lab into the real-world.
Past speakers have included:
- Leon Alkali, PhD – Mandala Space Ventures
- Sam Bredeson, PhD – huMannity Medtech
- Gene Dantsker, PhD – Startup founder, investor, and advisor
- Darius Fong – RunTechClub
- Tim Graves, PhD – The Aerospace Corporation
- Elliott Korb – K2 Space Corp.
- Gerry Partida – Summit Interconnect
- Victor Pikov, PhD – Medipace Inc.
- Kedar Shah – Echo Neuroscience
- Dan Singleton, PhD – Transient Plasma Systems
Lunch & Learn Startup Founders Panelists for 06/12/2026
Gene Dantsker, PhD is a serial entrepreneur and advisor to numerouscompanies across semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and other deep tech fields. He serves as President and COO of EvoNexus, the leading non-profit technology startup incubator in San Diego which is accelerating the next generation of innovation economy startups.
Lynn Foster, MBA is the founder and CEO of Z-Field Technologies, which develops wastewater pathogen sensors for analytes including SARS-CoV-2. Previously, Mr. Foster was founder and CEO of BPT Pharmaceuticals, where he developed a biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, Mr. Foster is chairman of the Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum and teaches Entrepreneurship at Cal State University, Long Beach.
Victor Pikov, PhD is founder and CEO of Medipace Inc. where he develops devices to treat diseases of the autonomic nervous system using neuromodulation. Previously, Dr. Pikov served as Director of Research Platforms at Galvani Bioelectronics, a joint venture between Google and GlaxoSmithKline to develop bioelectronic medicine implants.