The MPI Team
Diran Apelian
Howmet Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Director, MPI
+1-508-831-5992; dapelian@wpi.edu
Professional Web site
B.S., Drexel University, 1968; Sc.D., MIT, 1972
Solidification processing, spray casting, molten metal processing, aluminum foundry processing, plasma processing, and knowledge engineering in materials processing.
Diran Apelian is Howmet Professor of Engineering and Director of the Metal Processing Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He received his B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Drexel University in 1968 and his doctorate in materials science and engineering from MIT in 1972. He worked at Bethlehem Steel's Homer Research Laboratories before joining Drexel University's faculty in 1976. At Drexel he held various positions, including professor, head of the Department of Materials Engineering, associate dean of the College of Engineering and vice-provost of the University. He joined WPI in July 1990 as the Institute's Provost. In 1996 he returned to the faculty and leads the activities of the Metal Processing Institute.
He is credited with pioneering work in various areas of solidification processing and powder metallurgy – specifically in molten metal processing, aluminum alloy development, plasma deposition, spray casting/forming, and semi-solid processing of metals. Apelian is the recipient of many distinguished honors and awards – national and international; he has over 500 publications to his credit; and serves on several technical, corporate and editorial boards. During 2008/2009, he served as President of TMS. Apelian is a Fellow of TMS, ASM, and APMI; he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and the Armenian Academy of Sciences.
Download his biography (94KB PDF file)
View Professor Apelian's publications
Life's Journey Photography Exhibit
Carol A. Garofoli
Director of Operations, MPI
+1-508-831-5592; garofoli@wpi.edu
A.S., Becker Junior College, 1972; B.S., Worcester State College, 1982; M.B.A., Assumption College, 1998
Carol Garofoli has held various positions in academic administration at WPI and, from 1990 to 1996, was director of academic operations in the Provost's Office. She holds a B.S. in business management and an M.B.A. As MPI's Director of Operations, she is the primary liaison with WPI's accounting, purchasing and human resources offices, and is responsible for interacting with MPI's consortium companies. Garofoli facilitates MPI activities for programs and oversees its web site and communications.
Maureen Plunkett
Administrative Assistant, MPI
+1-508-831-5992; mrp@wpi.edu
Maureen Plunkett supports the administrative and liaison activities of the Metal Processing Institute.
Renee Brodeur
Staff Accountant, MPI
+1-508-831-5003; rbrodeur@wpi.edu
B.S. Electrical Engineering, WPI, 1983
Renee Brodeur has worked in the high-tech computer and network industries for corporations such as Hughes Aircraft, MITRE, Prime Computer, Sequoia Systems, Sonus Networks, and most recently Motorola. She has experience in many areas of the product development life cycle including firmware/software development, systems engineer, quality assurance, and technical writing. Renee returns to WPI as part of the MPI administrative team. In her role as Staff Accountant she is responsible for maintaining MPI’s financial accounts.
Carl Raatikainen
Manager of Laboratories, MPI
+1-508-831-5805; carlraat@wpi.edu
ASEET Mt. Wachusett Community College, BSTE Mechanical Engineering (Minor:Textile Engineering); MSBA Boston University
Carl Raatikainen is responsible for providing support to undergraduate and graduate students as well as research staff for the MPI laboratories. He orders and maintains equipment, test apparatus, manuals and materials. He oversees the foundry and other related laboratories for personnel safety. Carl began his career as a materials engineer at B.F. Goodrich. At Firestone Tire & Rubber he was a senior engineer in their development group in Akron, Ohio and in their research and development group in Rome, Italy. Recently, he was employed in the engineering laboratory of Setra.
Bradford Lynch
Information Systems, MPI
+1-508-831-5805; bl@wpi.edu
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, WPI, 2010 Currently Enrolled
Bradford Lynch is responsible for the management of all the IT assets at MPI including the computers of the administrative staff as well as the hardware and software used to conduct research. Brad first came to WPI as a high school student working for Network Operations and then continued his work there while enrolled at WPI. Currently he is a rising senior in the Mechanical Engineering department; this combination of IT and ME backgrounds allows him to provide the highest level of service to the MPI community.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 19, 2009 15:28:39