Michael Woo:  

ornia. While working towards his Master¿s Degree, he received a grant to work for one of the UCLA¿s Electrical Engineering research labs. After UCLA, Michael joined his friends in a startup company called PhatNoise. In his 7 years at PhatNoise, which would eventually be acquired by Harman Consumer Group/JBL, Michael was instrumental in developing the first PhatBox, reverse-engineering the audio protocol and implementing it on reprogrammable hardware he helped to develop. He co-wrote several published academic papers, and his name is on several PhatNoise patents. He also programmed a DSP amplifier that would adapt itself to different audio conditions. In August of 2006, he began having eye problems, and had his eyes checked. His right, lower quadrant of peripheral vision was non-existent and he next was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. After surgery to discover the type of tumor, he endured radiation and chemotherapy successfully until November 2007. At that time, his tumor had become resistant to the chemo drugs, and began growing again, but rapidly. Michael fought the affects of the brainstem cancer with all his might, and even though functionality of his body was deteriorating, he never complained. He endured bravely, and continued doing what he enjoyed, namely watching Law and Order, cheering on UCLA sports, and doing email on his computer, keeping in touch with his friends. He stayed strong right up until the day he passed into God¿s hands. He is survived by his parents, Frances and Stan Slaven of Cypress, CA and Richard and Sharon Woo of Los Banos, CA; his sister Lisa Vuletic, her husband Ryan and their children Cate and Justin of Brentwood, CA; his brother Kevin and Kevin¿s fiancé Jeannie Kim of Cypress, CA; his step-brother, Sean Slaven of Buena Park, CA; his grandmother Esther Lau of Los Angeles, CA and a host of extended family and friends.