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Are data centers in space a realistic option? Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, provided analysis for a Forbes article on the potential challenges, including the cost of transporting components and the risk of damage from space debris.
William McCarthy, assistant professor of physics, spoke with Forbes about a new milestone reached in efforts to commercialize fusion power and the current landscape in the field of fusion energy.
Joseph Sarkis, professor of management in The Business School, provided analysis for an article exploring data center construction trends. He spoke about the economic and environmental factors associated with development of data centers.
President Grace Wang joined government, higher education, and local organization leaders to kick off the one-month countdown to the 100th anniversary of the first successful liquid-fueled rocket launch. The launch by Robert Goddard, Class of 1908, is credited with starting the space age on March 16, 1926.
On February 12 at an event in Boston, The Boston Business Journal formally honored Emmanuel Agu, Harold L. Jurist ’61 and Heather E. Jurist Dean’s Professor of Computer Science, as one of 14 Innovators in Healthcare. The journal also featured Agu in an online profile about his research that combines data, imaging, and artificial intelligence for early disease detection and improved care.
On February 12 at an event in Boston, The Boston Business Journal formally honored Ulkuhan Guler, associate professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, as one of 14 Innovators in Healthcare. The journal also featured Guler in an online profile about her research to develop wearable sensors for at-home and improved patient monitoring.
Christo K. Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, wrote an article in CXOTech Magazine about the future of machine intelligence and intelligent networks. The piece explores how networks capable of reasoning could transform autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and more by enabling more efficient and context-aware communication, similar to human interaction.
Peter Hansen, professor of history in the Department of Humanities and Arts, spoke live with Fredricka Whitfield on CNN Newsroom, airing on CNN and CNN International, about the newest sport in the Winter Olympics: ski mountaineering. Hansen’s research explores the intertwined histories of mountaineering and modernity.
Motorsport.com reported on an episode of The WPI Podcast, produced by the Division of Marketing Communications, which featured an interview with Phil Surgen, a class of 2004 mechanical engineering alum, about his role as director of technology for Trackhouse Racing. The article highlights some of the topics covered in the conversation, including the role of artificial intelligence and technology in competing in NASCAR.
Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, was featured in a USA TODAY article about tax season. Smith encouraged people to view their tax returns as learning opportunities rather than annual chores and explained how proactive financial behavior changes can reduce future tax liability. He highlighted the importance of understanding how the tax system works and described behavioral economics concepts that prevent people from taking full advantage of tax reduction strategies.
Worcester Business Journal reported on how the university's NASA-funded research carries on the legacy of alum Robert Goddard, the Father of Modern Rocketry. The article highlights WPI as the largest recipient of NASA research funding of any university in Central Massachusetts in fiscal year 2025 and how this research, often done in coordination with local companies, supports economic growth and workforce development in the state.
Christopher Brown, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, a former All-American ski racer and former ski coach, spoke with Scientific American about the physical forces that likely contributed to the ACL injury decorated skier Lindsey Vonn suffered during a race in January, just ahead of the Winter Olympics. Brown and his students research and develop new designs for athletic equipment that seek to reduce the loads on athletes' knees that can lead to ACL injuries.
Peter Hansen, a mountaineering expert and history professor in the Department of Humanities and Arts, helped break down a new Olympic event, ski mountaineering, on Science Friday, a public radio show and podcast. Hansen explained some of the history behind mountaineering, the scientific connection to early mountain expeditions, and the historical roots of "skimo," a new event for the winter games.
In a Reuters article, Seth Tuler, associate professor in The Global School, helps explain the nuclear waste management challenges associated with proposals to expand nuclear power via the use of small modular reactors. Tuler has conducted research focused on nuclear waste management and the clean-up of nuclear weapons sites.
Several media outlets reported on multimillion-dollar gifts to the university from two alumni totaling $13 million. The financial commitments are dedicated to student scholarships.
Three students, working on a project this term at the Wellington, New Zealand Project Center, were featured in a Radio New Zealand report for dedicating some of their time to participate in an annual cleanup in the country’s capital city.
Research on gift-giving conducted by Farnoush Reshadi, assistant professor in The Business School, and Linnéa Chapman, assistant professor at Florida International University, was highlighted in The Conversation. Chapman writes about the pair’s findings that people who receive self-improvement products as gifts are more likely to give those products negative reviews. The research details the potential implications for marketers and suggests potential solutions for retailers seeking to prevent poor reviews.
What if generative AI could recognize its own uncertainty and explain its reasoning? Ricky Sethi, adjunct teaching professor in graduate and professional studies, writes in The Conversation about the potential for a mathematical framework to give GenAI systems a way to understand their limitations, assess their confidence, and know when to slow down and be cautious. The article was republished by outlets including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Yahoo! News in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Malaysia
Quantum Zeitgeist reported on new research from a team led by Shichao Liu, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering. The team, including PhD students, explored how students’ use of generative AI in the architectural design process affected performance, individual confidence in creative ability, self-efficacy, and cognitive load.
Paul Mathisen, associate professor of in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural engineering and director of sustainability, and Stephen McCauley, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies, provided analysis for a Telegram & Gazette article about a regional effort to learn from devastating flooding in Leominster and mitigate future flooding events. Mathisen and McCauley shared insights about methods of studying water flow, potential flood mitigation strategies, and the use of geographic information system mapping to understand how flooding affects a community.
Nancy Burnham, professor of physics, spoke with the Boston Herald about how the mile-high elevation at which the Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship Game will be played in Denver can affect players and the football, when thrown or kicked, due to reduced air density.
