In the News

Note: Some media outlets require users to log-in. The Gordon Library offers the WPI community free access to a number of newspapers. Visit newspaper database for details.  

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This Master’s in AI Program Is a Cross-University Collaboration. Here’s How Students Will Learn.

Elke Rundensteiner, the William Smith Dean's Professor of Computer Science and founding head of the WPI data science program, spoke with BestColleges about the university's new master's degree in artificial intelligence

BBC Earth

BBC Earth featured the self-healing concrete developed by Associate Professor Nima Rahbar and Professor Suzanne Scarlata in an episode about climate-friendly ways to heat residential homes. The self-healing concrete uses an enzyme found in red blood cells to heal itself, thereby filling cracks before they cause larger structural issues.

TheStreet

TheStreet spoke to Business School Assistant Professor Kenny Ching about the Security and Exchange Commission ruling that Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook) must give investors the opportunity to vote on the company’s move to focus on the metaverse. Prof. Ching said the case “will be a test for how society will eventually come to accept - or reject – the metaverse.”

The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor spoke with Business School Associate Professor Renata Konrad about how she and her colleagues at WPI to help people affected by the war in Ukraine. Prof. Konrad also talked about she and other faculty members are remotely advising students in Ukraine.

NBC Boston and Spectrum News 1 covered the football team’s annual bone marrow donation drive. They spoke to Frank Almeida, ’24, who found out he was a match in 2021, and donated his bone marrow, likely saving the recipient’s life. 

TheStreet

Financial news website TheStreet spoke with Assistant Professor Kenny Ching about how casinos will operate in the metaverse, including the main attractions and pitfalls of so-called crypto gambling.

NBC News

NBC News spoke with Vice President of Enrollment Management Andrew Palumbo about WPI’s decision to go test-blind in the admissions process, after MIT announced it would once again require standardized tests.

 

The Washington Post

The Washington Post spoke with Vice President of Enrollment Management Andrew Palumbo about WPI’s test-blind policy, after MIT announced its decision to start accepting standardized test scores again.

Worcester Magazine

Worcester Magazine wrote a feature article about Kyle Mikolajczyk, vice president of WPI's Model Train Club. The story not only highlights the creative and inclusive activity culture at WPI, but mentions what brought him to the university four years ago.

The New York Times

Vice President of Enrollment Management Andrew Palumbo spoke with The New York Times about MIT’s decision to reinstate its standardized testing requirement. He also spoke about WPI’s move to become a fully test-blind institution.

Telegram.com

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette spoke with Fulbright scholars Yuliia Kleban and Roman Mykhailyshyn, about the war in Ukraine and their efforts to help people affected by the conflict. Both Kleban and Mykhailyshyn are from Ukraine and completed their Fulbright scholarships at WPI, just weeks before the war began.

GBH

GBH spoke with Computer Science Professor Dmitry Korkin about how he has opened his home to the family of a Ukrainian professor, Vitaly Yurkiv, amid the war with Russia. Korkin is also working to help Yurkiv find work in the U.S. when Yurkiv is able to leave Ukraine.

Industry Dive spoke with Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering Associate Professor Nima Rahbar and Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor Suzanne Scarlata about their work to create an enzymatic construction material, which could be a sustainable alternative to concrete. The material removes carbon dioxide from the air during its formation and self-healing process.

WBUR 90.9

WBUR spoke with Associate Professor of Business Renata Konrad (at the 7:33:40 mark) about her efforts to help the people of Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion. Professor Konrad talked about how she has organized donations of first aids and medical supplies, as well as the help and support she’s received from the WPI community.

Newsy

Newsy spoke with Chemical Engineering Professor Mike Timko and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Ali Salifu about their research that found bamboo can be converted into biofuel to power vehicles and generators.

Digital Engineering 247

Digital Engineering 24/7 spoke with Social Science & Policy Studies Professor Rob Krueger about sustainable design and the formalization of the Institute of Science and Technology for Development.

Anthropocene

Anthropocene Magazine reported on the collaboration between Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering Associate Professor Nima Rahbar and Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Suzanne Scarlata to produce a negative-emission construction material that absorbs CO2 and self-heals.

Associated Press

The Associated Press spoke with Assistant Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies Crystal Brown about how the Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens democracy, and how Vladimir Putin has used the appearance and infrastructure of democracy to gain, and keep, power.

 

Boston Globe

The Boston Globe spoke with Yuliia Kleban, an Assistant Professor at The Ukrainian Catholic University in L’viv, Ukraine, who recently completed a Fulbright scholarship at WPI. Kleban returned to her home country just weeks before Russia invaded. Business School Associate Professor Renata Konrad also completed a Fulbright during the same time, and swapped institutions and homes with Kleban.

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reports on WPI joining BioConnects New England, a multi-state coalition designed to support biomanufacturing in the region, by increasing opportunities in the field, focusing on equity and innovation, and creating a prepared workforce for current and future job openings.

Boston Globe

The Boston Globe reports on the how Ascend Elements, a company started at WPI, is a leader in the lithium-ion battery. While at WPI, the Ascend leadership team developed a unique process to recycle the batteries, so they can be reused without sacrificing performance.