In an enlightening conversation with Dr. Lawrence Pileggi, Coraluppi Head and Tanoto Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Phil Kaufman Award, we delved into a journey that bridges decades of innovation in electronic system design. The Phil Kaufman Award, established to honor the legacy of an industry pioneer, recognizes individuals for significant impacts in technology innovation, education, mentoring, and leadership within the electronic design community.
Dr. Pileggi’s foray into the realm of semiconductors was not a straightforward path. Coming from a background where he was the first in his family to attend college, his intrigue in engineering sparked from a blend of academic strength in mathematics and a personal interest in electronics as a hobby. The semiconductor boom of the mid-1980s further captivated him, setting the stage for a career that would influence the trajectory of chip design and electrical engineering education.