Graduate Research Innovation Exchange

The annual Graduate Research Innovation Exchange (GRIE) is a poster celebration and competition that highlights the breadth, diversity, and quality of WPI's graduate research. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Dean of Graduate Studies, it is a two-part event consisting of an Open Poster Exhibition and Celebration and Poster Finals and Awards.

Presentation and Celebration

In 2021, GRIE went virtual with a weeklong event. All graduate students and post doctoral fellows engaged in research or in course- or program-related capstone projects were encouraged to develop a 5 minute presentation and submit it for judge, peer, and faculty review. 63 students advanced to the finals.

Click here to download the March 2021 Program

Finals

On April 6, finalists in the research areas below presented their research during live Zoom presentations. Additionally, Data Science Graduate Qualifying Project Students presented via Zoom on May 7. Presentations were open to teh WPI community and judges.

Click here to download the GRIE Finals Program

True to its name, the Graduate Research Innovation Exchange is a marketplace where students across disciplines get to know each other and share discoveries and new ideas. It is also a great way to get feedback on research in-progress—input that can help students prepare for sharing their work down the line through papers and presentations.

Student presenters also receive input from attendees who are able to vote for People's Choice Awards for their favorite presentations.

The best presentations by master's, PhD, and post doctoral fellow candidates engaged in research in the categories of Mathematical, Chemical, and Physical Sciences; Business and Social Science; Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science; Life Sciences and Bioengineering; Robotics, Cyberphysical Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences; and Aerospace, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Civil and Environmental, Fire-Protection Engineering are invited to present in the finals. Winners from the finals round will receive cash prizes.

The Winners

In 2021, more than 165 master's and PhD candidates shared their innovative and purposeful research with the WPI community. Twenty winners were awarded cash prizes after the finals.

See our list of current and past GRIE winners.

Registration

Registration for GRIE 2021 is closed. Check back next Fall for 2022 format and registration information.

Research Areas
Business and Social Science
Life Sciences and Bioengineering
Robotics, Cyberphysical Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Fire-Protection Engineering
Mathematical, Chemical, and Physical Sciences
Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science

Guidelines & Eligibility

General Guidelines

GRIE is open to all WPI PhD candidates, MS students, and post doctoral fellows engaged in thesis or similar research, or MS candidates completing a course- or program-related capstone project.
Although presentations may have multiple authors, including the faculty advisor(s), there should be one lead author registered and presenting. The lead author MUST be the graduate student and only this student will be considered for awards.
Only one presentation will be accepted per student; it is the student’s responsibility to have his/her presentation recorded according to competition guidelines.
Levels: MS, PhD (Capstone level projects will be accepted, but will not be considered for the final round), or post doctoral fellow.

Presentation Guidelines and Judging Criteria

Presentations should be a zoom recording. Share your screen to show slides while you verbally explain your research. A link to your video will be submitted to GRIE organizers by the deadline noted above.
Presentations should be 5 minutes or less in length. Longer submissions will not be judged and will not be eligible for the finals. Additionally, longer submissions may not be posted for view.
Your presentation should clearly identify a project title, researchers involved, and department
Videos must be submitted to GRIE organizers by advertised deadlines in order to be posted for judge and WPI community view.
Prepare your presentation to appeal to both experts and non-experts in your field as judges may vary. You must be able to clearly explain your research to a wide range of judges and audiences.
Click here to view what your poster will be judged on.

The Student Training and Readiness Sessions (STARS) program developed by the Office of Graduate Studies offers sessions specifically designed to help graduate students prepare for participation in GRIE. Learn more about STARS.

Graduate Student Research

Graduate Studies