In the News

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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

Physics World

Physics World reported on WPI researchers led by Gregory S. Fischer, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and robotics engineering, and Albany Medical College, along with corporate partners, receiving a five-year, $3.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue developing an innovative robotic system. Operating within an MRI scanner, it can deliver a minimally invasive probe into the brain to destroy metastatic brain tumors with high-intensity therapeutic ultrasound under real-time guidance.

Telegram.com

Dean Jean King, arts and sciences, was quoted in this Telegram & Gazette article about the third annual Next-in-Bio event at WPI, which attracted students from nine colleges and universities to present class projects and network with life sciences’ industry leaders.

Telegram.com

The Telegram & Gazette’s College Town profiled one of the university’ newest clubs. Sophomore Emily Staknis, first-year student Austin Jandrucko, and graduate student Vignesh Mano’j Varier, all majoring in robotics engineering, were quoted in the article about the Society of Magicians. 

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reported on research led by Gregory S. Fischer, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and robotics engineering, and Albany Medical College, along with corporate partners, receiving a five-year, $3.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue developing an innovative robotic system to treat brain tumors.

Aerospace Daily

WPI professors Alexander Wyglinski and Randy Paffenroth discuss how WPI is using the International Space Station as a testbed for space communications. 

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reported on research by Carissa Perez Olsen, the Leonard P. Kinnicutt Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, on how lipids in our bodies and cell membranes affect aging and long-term health.

Mass Bio

In an article and photo on its website, MassBio reported on President Laurie Leshin serving as a panelist at a recent discussion on women's leadership, talent management and engagement along the talent pipeline.

Bioengineer.org

A WPI materials engineering research team led by Yan Wang, William Smith Foundation Dean’s Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, will extend development of its novel process to recycle spent lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and produce new cathode materials that are increasingly being adopted by automotive battery makers to reduce cost and increase energy density.

The Exponent Telegram

According to The Exponent TelegramAli Rangwala, professor of fire protection engineering, is collaborating with researchers at West Virginia University on how to enhance underground mine safety training. With funding from the Alpha Foundation, Rangwala and his colleagues will be making developments to the Dust and Gas Explosion Model to help quantify mining fire hazards on WPI's campus. 

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reported that WPI received a $895,000 grant from the Department of Education to provide six fellowships to graduate students looking to pursue studies in artificial intelligence. The program, called Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAAN), comes in anticipation of a decrease in artificial intelligence professionals in the field. GAAN will train students in the artificial intelligence field, and connect them with colleagues in academic, industry and government settings.  

Telegram.com

Robert Dempski, associate professor of chemistry & biochemistry, wrote an op-ed on keeping the door open to international scientific collaboration for the Telegram & Gazette.

Telegram.com

The Telegram & Gazette spoke with Alex Wyglinski, professor of electrical and computer engineering, about a recent report that was released by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau. According to the report, the city of Worcester might experience major changes to the roadways in a future of autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing. "It’s great to see the city is very cognizant, ... and Worcester is on top of things in terms of the future of transportation,” Wyglinksi said. 

Forbes

WPI alumnus Aaron Birt, co-founder of Kinetic Batteries and Solvus Global, was profiled in an article highlighting companies that are develop processes to help make recycling everything from scrap to batteries more efficient and less environmentally harmful. Birt, a past “Forbes 30 Under 30” honoree, credits Diran Apelian, who received WPI's 2018 Innovator of the Year Award, saying, “Diran and I are both passionate about people, technology, education, and making an impact. 

Fast Company

In an article by Fast Company, Jennifer deWinter, associate professor of rhetoric and director of IMGD, comments on how, during the history and development of video games, companies targeted white, adolescent teenaged boys as their prime consumer group. 

Telegram.com

The Telegram & Gazette reported on Diran Apelian, Alcoa-Howmet Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who was nominated for the 2018 Innovator of the Year Award. Apelian is the founder of the Metal Processing Institute at WPI, and is the first faculty member to receive the award, which was launched in 2011 to recognize graduates and friends of the university who have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments as innovators.

Telegram.com

WPI students Julia Dunn ’19, Josephine Bowen ’20, graduate student Jimmy Muller, and Professor Chris Brown are featured in the Telegram & Gazette about an athletic shoe designed to reduce knee and ankle injuries.  

Boston 25

WPI student Alex Alvarez ’19, graduate student Jimmy Muller, and Professor Chris Brown appear on Boston 25 News touting the benefits of an athletic shoe designed to reduce knee and ankle injuries.

Worcester News Tonight

In celebration of STEM Week, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited WPI yesterday to check out the Girls VEX IQ Robotics Team, led by WPI graduate student Shannon Moffat. The event, which was captured by Worcester News Tonight by Charter Chanel 3 (5:40 mark), showed girls from Worcester public schools what they're able to learn about and create in STEM, and that more women are entering into STEM fields.  

WBUR 90.9

WPI senior Kyle Mudge ’19 appears on WBUR radio discussing a working prototype of a sports shoe designed to reduce knee and ankle injuries.

WBUR 90.9

WBUR spoke with Rob Gegear, assistant professor of biology and biotechnology, about his research on the decline of bumblebees. His work explores neonicotinoids - an ingredient in pesticides that can be purchased in hardware stores - and how the chemical might be a key factor in the decreasing numbers of native bees.