Michael Davidson -Board Member, DALI Alliance | Synapse Wireless

Michael Davidson is a recognized leader in the digitization of lighting technology and a key advocate for interoperability across the lighting and IoT industries. With extensive experience at Motorola Semiconductor and Synapse Wireless, he has successfully led sales engineering and field application teams, combining deep technical expertise with strategic vision to bring next-generation lighting control solutions to market.

As a Board Member of the DALI Alliance and active contributor to ANSI C137 Networking Lighting Controls and the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) Advisory Board, Michael plays an influential role in shaping the standards that drive smarter, more connected, and energy-efficient lighting systems.

At Synapse Wireless, Michael collaborates directly with customers to develop advanced networked lighting control (NLC) systems. His hands-on involvement in product design, qualification, and system integration helps push the industry forward—eliminating redundant components, improving reliability, and enhancing functionality across luminaires.

Renowned for his engaging presentations and practical insights, Michael frequently speaks at major lighting industry events, offering a real-world perspective on DALI-2, D4i, IoT connectivity, and the evolution of intelligent lighting. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Lin Meng – Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University

Dr. Lin Meng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University. Her research explores how human activities shape urban ecosystems, with the goal of informing sustainable and resilient city design. She studies the ecological and human-health implications of artificial light at night (ALAN), examining its effects on urban tree phenology and airborne pollen dynamics. She is the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Science & SciLife Lab Prize for Young Scientists awarded by Science Magazine and AAAS, and a recipient of the Green Talents Award from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Her research has been published in Science, Nature, PNAS, and Nature Cities, and has been featured in major public media outlets such as NPR, AAAS, the Associated Press, The Weather Channel, and Think Global Health. She also serves as a committee member for the ALAN conference.

Nick Mesler – Director at Evari Consulting

Nick Mesler is a Director at Evari Consulting, where he takes a data-driven approach to achieving balanced street lighting design for more livable communities. Nick considers himself a “plangineer” and prides himself in understanding both the big picture forethought and the honest realities of implementation necessary to bring successful projects to life. Nick specializes in transportation safety, with a background in mobility planning and transportation operations. Nick has worked on large street lighting projects across the United States.

Nick is a registered Civil Engineering PE in Oregon and Washington and a registered Traffic Engineer in California. He frequently presents and participates in events through the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP). He is a member of the IES Outdoor Nighttime Environment Committee and the IES Roadway Lighting Committee. Nick is regarded as an authority on lighting for transportation safety.