Faculty
Joseph "Duff" B. Duffy
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, GP4015
Phone: +1-508-831-5543
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
jduffy@wpi.edu
Joseph B. Duffy
- Associate Professor & Department Head, Biology & Biotechnology
Defining signaling pathways that program cellular diversity is one of the foremost problems in biology and is central to my research interests. In the lab we use molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches to characterize the function of these pathways and to gain insight into their role in disease. Read more...
David "Dave" S. Adams
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4003
Phone: +1-508-831-5432
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
dadams@wpi.edu
David S. Adams
- Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
My lab focuses on using neurotrophic factors (NTFs) as potential treatments for stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Although NTFs usually help neurons survive and divide, full-length NTFs don’t cross the blood-brain barrier well when injected IV or IP or delivered orally. We use short peptides that mimic full-length NTFs that can be delivered systemically, but act in the brain where needed. Read more...
Mike Buckholt
Contact Information:
Goddard Hall, 203A
Phone: +1-508-831-6429
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
mbuckhol@wpi.edu
Mike Buckholt
- Assistant Teaching Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Tanja Dominko
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 3004
Phone: +1-508-831-4108
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
tdominko@wpi.edu
Tanja Dominko
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Some of the work of our lab includes investigating the molecular basis of stem cell gene activation in human fibroblasts during induced pluripotency. We also evaluate the role of FGF2 isoforms independently and in combination to identify key molecular mechanisms and pathways, as well as investigate FGF2 targets and partners during this phenotypic change. Read more...
Robert J. Gegear
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4016
Phone: +1-508-831-5472
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
rgegear@wpi.edu
Robert J. Gegear
- Assistant Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
How does a brain the size of a pinhead translate complex sensory information from the environment into an adaptive behavioral response? What ecological factors have driven the evolution of brain processes such as learning, memory, and decision making? What role have insect brains played in the evolution and maintenance of floral diversity? My lab aims to answer these questions, and more. Read more...
Ally Hunter
Contact Information:
Goddard Hall, 203C
Phone: +1-508-831-6441
Fax: +1-508-831-5933
ahunter@wpi.edu
Ally Hunter
- Instructor, Biology & Biotechnology
I am interested in investigating better ways of teaching science and making the science classroom more inviting to all types of learners. At WPI, I am surrounded by colleagues who care a great deal about science education. This creates an environment that fosters science education research and great teaching. Read more...
Lauren Mathews
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4006
Phone: +1-508-831-5938
lmathews@wpi.edu
Lauren Mathews
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
My research is in evolutionary and environmental biology, mostly in aquatic ecosystems. The best part about this work is taking students out for a dose of real field ecology-it’s about being too hot, too cold, covered in mosquitos and leeches, sunburned, lost in the woods… and loving every minute of it! Read more...
Karen Kashmanian Oates
Contact Information:
Salisbury Laboratories, 121
Phone: +1-508-831-4677
Fax: +1-508-831-6748
koates@wpi.edu
Website
Karen Kashmanian Oates
- Dean, Arts & Sciences
- Biology & Biotechnology
In my role as Dean of Arts and Sciences, I conduct faculty development workshops on a variety of topics, including progressive pedagogical approaches to support learning, assessment strategies, and discovery-based undergraduate research, as well as use research on how people learn to inform curricular design. Read more...
Eric W. Overstrom
Contact Information:
Boynton Hall, Provost Office
Phone: +1-508-831-6646
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
ewo@wpi.edu
Eric W. Overstrom
- Provost
- Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Eric W. Overstrom was appointed the university's provost and senior vice president in April 2011, after serving as the provost ad interim for the prior academic year. As the chief academic officer, Overstrom is responsible for the overall quality of teaching and research activity of the university as well as oversight responsibilities for all fourteen academic departments, plus academic support and resource operations. Read more...
Samuel "Sam" M. Politz
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4023
Phone: +1-508-831-5028
spolitz@wpi.edu
Samuel M. Politz
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
I enjoy the hands-on teaching that WPI offers in the projects system. Students learn in my lab that research is unpredictable, with many twists and turns. I try to convey the excitement and enthusiasm I have about making discoveries. Read more...
Reeta Prusty Rao
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4013
Phone: +1-508-831-6120
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
rpr@wpi.edu
Website
Reeta Prusty Rao
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
The research goal is to understand and ultimately manage fungal diseases. We use biochemical, molecular genetic, genomic, and behavioral tools and exploit the versatility of model organisms to explore fungal virulence strategies in a high-throughput fashion. Other recent projects aim to genetically modify yeast to increase production of butanol from cellulosic feedstock. Read more...
Jill Rulfs
Contact Information:
Goddard Hall, 128A
Phone: +1-508-831-5786
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
jrulfs@wpi.edu
Jill Rulfs
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Elizabeth "Liz" F. Ryder
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4024
Phone: +1-508-831-6011
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
ryder@wpi.edu
Elizabeth F. Ryder
- Associate Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Neurobiology and genetics are my two favorite scientific subjects, and my goal at WPI is to help students discover for themselves how exciting it is to work in these areas. In both the classroom and the research lab, I really enjoy helping students to learn how to ask important questions, design experiments, and interpret data to increase our understanding of the nervous system. Read more...
Jagan Srinivasan
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4026
Phone: +1-508-831-6564
jsrinivasan@wpi.edu
Jagan Srinivasan
- Assistant Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
Luis Vidali
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4018
Phone: +1-508-831-4194
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
lvidali@wpi.edu
Website
Luis Vidali
- Assistant Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
I enjoy when students realize plants are complex, important organisms. Plants are essential to a more sustainable future, but to fully realize their potential, we need to understand them at the molecular and cellular level. My research aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying plant cell self-organization and growth. The long-term goal is to increase plant productivity. Read more...
Pamela "Pam" J. Weathers
Contact Information:
Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center, 4022
Phone: +1-508-831-5196
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
weathers@wpi.edu
Pamela J. Weathers
- Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
My joy in teaching is doing research with students and sharing scientific discoveries. Helping students communicate their findings is also rewarding. My diverse research areas are antimalarial drug production and delivery, development of bioreactors for culture of complex tissues and fungi, and algal biofuels. All three integrate somewhat, resulting in exciting interactions among students. Read more...
JoAnn L. Whitefleet-Smith
Contact Information:
Goddard Hall, 203B
Phone: +1-508-831-5974
Fax: +1-508-831-5933
jaws@wpi.edu
JoAnn L. Whitefleet-Smith
- Assistant Teaching Professor, Biology & Biotechnology
I am happiest working in a laboratory setting answering the questions What is that? What does it do? How does it work? At WPI I am employed in my dream job: lab instructor for the advanced-level BBT lab modules. I do not have a research lab at WPI, but I do sponsor a MQP project that focuses on the use of crayfish as bioindicators of PAH contamination in river sediment. Read more...
