August 19, 2004
Around Campus
Summer Hours End This Week
On Monday, Aug. 23, nonexempt staff members are expected to return to their normal 37.5-hour workweek and exempt employees are expected to return to their 40-hour workweek schedule.
Student Orientation Starts This Weekend
New Student Orientation begins Saturday, Aug. 21, and runs through Wednesday, Aug. 25. A complete schedule of activities and a list of WPI community members who are helping with this program may be found at the Office of Student Activities.
Events Office Announces Changes
The Events Office has made significant changes in the way it will help the community schedule and plan events. For example, a new reservation form makes it easier to request space for campus events. In addition, the office has prepared a guide for those planning events. The form and the guide are available at the Events Office. For more information, call ext. 5613 or e-mail jfkenary@wpi.edu or clb@wpi.edu.
People
In Memoriam: Lee A. Becker
Lee A. Becker, associate professor of computer science, passed away July 24 after a 14-month battle with leukemia. Becker, who joined the WPI faculty in 1984, earned a B.A. and a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in computer science from Indiana University. His research and teaching interests were in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational linguistics, intelligent computer-aided instruction, cognitive modeling, visual communication, and object-oriented analysis and design.
Becker spent many terms advising student projects at project centers located in Washington, D.C., Venice, London, Silicon Valley, and Copenhagen. "Lee was a beloved colleague, friend, and teacher," noted Computer Science Department Head Michael Gennert. "A dedicated scholar and educator, Lee cared passionately about WPI. He greatly enjoyed working with students, involving undergraduate and graduate students in his research. Lee was devoted to his family, shared his great smile with everyone, played a mean game of chess, and ran a marathon (once!). Lee had a passion for food, tennis, dogs, cycling, and Slavic linguistics. He truly embodied the Renaissance ideal."
Becker is survived by his wife, Ying, son, Joshua, and daughter, Rachel.
New Heads For Biology and Physics
The Biology and Biotechnology and Physics departments welcomed new department heads on July 1. Both are also tenured professors.
- Eric W. Overström, who has been a faculty member at Tufts University for more than 21 years, is the new head of Biology and Biotechnology. At Tufts, Overström served in the anatomy and cellular biology and biomedical sciences departments and was affiliated with the university's graduate program in cell, molecular and developmental biology for many years. He succeeds Jill Rulfs, who is returning to teaching and research full time.
- John W. Norbury, who previously served two terms as chair of the physics department at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse and Milwaukee, is the new head in Physics. At the University of Wisconsin, he was noted for his outstanding achievements as a scholar and teacher. He succeeds Tom Keil who, after 10 years as department head, is looking forward to devoting more time to further improving the effectiveness of WPI's undergraduate programs.
Elmes Named Fulbright Scholar
Michael B. Elmes, professor of management, is WPI's latest Fulbright Scholar. The flagship international educational program sponsored by the U.S. government, the Fulbright Program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." Through the program, more than 250,000 participants, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, have been selected since 1946 to study and teach in each other's countries, exchange ideas, and develop joint solutions to address shared concerns.
Elmes will be in New Zealand from January to July 2005 to conduct research on the effects of the governments decision to lift a moratorium on the growing of genetically modified crops. He will also serve as a guest lecturer at the Victoria Management School.
Buckholt Appointed Chair of IACUC
Michael Buckholt, lab instructor in the Biology and Biotechnology Department, has been appointed chair of WPI's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. He succeeds Ross Shonat, assistant professor of biology and biotechnology.
Publications and Presentations
Chemical Engineering
- Abu-Lail, N.I.*, Camesano, T.S. "Atomic Force Microscope and Single-Molecule Force Microscopy Studies of Biopolymers," invited review in Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Schwarz, J.A.; Contescu, C.I.; Putyera, K., eds., 2004, 119-131, Dekker, New York, N.Y.
*former graduate student
Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Berka Bruewer, Karen*, "Managing Mayhem in the Midwest: The Indiana State Police Laboratory System," Forensic Science Column (L.H. Berka, editor), NEACT Journal, Vol.23, No. 1, 17-21, Summer-Fall, 2004.
*graduated Karen Berka '86 with B.S. in chemistry; obtained M.S. in forensic science in 1988 from University of New Haven; is now forensic scientist I at Indiana State Police Crime Laboratory, where she has been since 1992. She is the daughter of Laddie Berka, professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Salazar, G., and Almeida, J., "Use of the Parametric Building Model in Civil and Environmental Engineering Education at WPI," in proceedings of the ASEE annual conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 20-23, 2004.
- Mokbel, H., and G. Salazar, "Assessing the Parametric Building Model Capabilities in Minimizing Change Orders," published in the proceedings of Design & Nature 2004, Rhodes, Greece, June 26- 28, 2004.
- Salazar, G., Almeida,. J. and Mokbel, H., "Use of the 3D Parametric Building Model in Civil Engineering Undergraduate Education at WPI," presented at the ASEE annual conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 21, 2004.
Computer Science
- Brown, D.C., "Features in Knowledge-Intensive CAD: Roles and Types," in Knowledge Intensive Design Technology, (Eds.) J.C. Borg, P.J. Farrugia, K.P. Camilleri, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 53-64 (April 2004).
- Burge, J.E., and Brown, D.C., "An Integrated Approach for Software Design Checking Using Design Rationale," in Design Computing and Cognition '04, (Ed.) J.S. Gero, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 557-575 (July 2004).
Humanities and Arts
- Brattin, Joel J., "The Hard Rock Collection: Hendrix's Contract for Six San Francisco Shows on 1-3 February 1968," in Jimpress 77 (Summer 2004), pp. 29-30.
Recent Grants
Biomedical Engineering
- Shonat, R., for "Layer-Specific Functional and Perfusion Imaging of the Cat Retina," from UMass Worcester, $10,730.
Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Arguello, J., for "Structure-Function of Heavy Metal Transport CPx-ATPases," from the National Science Foundation, $5,000.
Chemical Engineering
- Ma, Y., for "Ultra Thin Pa & Pd/Alloy Membranes for Hydrogen Separation and Reaction Applications," from the Shell International Exploration & Production Inc., $631,285.
- Dixon, A., for "Preliminary Work in Support of GOALI Proposal: Catalysts Design and Detailed Modeling for Fixed Bed Reactors Using CFD, from Johnson Matthey Catalysts, $21,550.
Computer Science
- Heinman, G., for "ITR/SY: Features, Components, and Legacy Systems," from the National Science Foundation, $120,015.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Sunar, B., for "A Hardware Software Co-Design Approach for Flexible Cryptography," from the Intel Corp., $81,901.
- Ludwig, R., for "Noninvasive Devices for MRI Studies in Drug Abuse II," from Insight Neuroimaging Systems, LLC, $300,000.
- Clancy, E., for "Noninvasive Motor Unit Discharge Assessment," from the National Institute of Health, $147,897.
Fire Protection Engineering
- Barnett, J., for " Calibration of the Improved Full-Scale Flame Test Apparatus for Clothing," from the Battelle Memorial Institute, $14,618.
Management
- Gerstenfeld, A., for "Building a Bridge of Knowledge to Africa for Business and International Education," from the Department of Education, $90,000.
Mathematical Science
- Yakovlev, V., for "Permittivity Reconstruction with Neutral Networks," from the Ferrite Co., Inc., $15,764.
Mechanical Engineering
- Apelian, D. and M. Makhlouf, for Low Cost and Energy Efficient Methods for the Manufacture of Semi-Solid Feedstock," from the Department of Energy, $56,000.
- Demetriou, M., for Supervisory Control of Second Order Distributed Parameter Systems: Integrating Robust Actuator Placement and Actuator Switching," from the National Science Foundation, $199,493.
- Apelian, D., for "Development of Computational Methodologies for Assurance of High Strength Fatigue Resistant Aluminum Castings," from General Motors, 684,707.00.
- Gatsonis, N., for "DSMC Modeling of Hypersonic Inlet Flows," from the Busek Co., Inc., $3,019. Total June grants and contracts awarded: $2,381,979.
Did You Know...
This fall, the Department of Management is introducing two new graduate degree programs, master of science in information technology and master of science in operations design and leadership, which may be pursued on campus and through the Advanced Distance Learning Network. The programs were created in response to industry's need for professionals with solid foundations in IT and operations management. Both evolved from the university's former M.S. degree program in operations and information technology. The new programs, like all of WPI's business programs, are accredited by the discipline's standards organization AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Learn more at the Department of Management web site.
News From the Mass Academy of Math and Science
The WPI and Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science FIRST Team scored a third at the Indiana Robotics Competition in Indianapolis on July 5 and won both the President's Award and Leadership in Controls Award. Participating were several newly minted Mass Academy grads: Sarah Rich, Heather Senecal, Rachelle Horwitz, and Jon Gibbons, along with senior Garrett Cavanaugh.
Massachusetts Academy junior Allison Smyth won the first-place award for "fastest reaction time" in her car at the National Hot Rod Association O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Dragster Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., between July 11 and 17.
Fifteen students attended the Mass Academy's first annual Intellect Quest program this summer.
Bethany Vitaris, who placed first in the Regional Science Fair, represented the academy at the International Science Fair in Portland, Ore.
14 members of the academy's Class of 2005 qualified for participation in the 2005 National Merit Scholarship Program. Jon Gibbons and Sarah Rich were selected National Merit finalists.
Brian Wandrei was team high scorer at the Worcester County Math League meet in Shrewsbury.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: February 21, 2008 09:54:01