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

WGBH

President Leshin was quoted in the WGBH report, “As Students Return, New England Colleges Are Seen As Models Of Testing And COVID Control.” “Here in Massachusetts, I think we’re actually lighting the way on how to live and learn in the age of COVID,” Leshin told the station. “I really sincerely hope that other parts of the country look to our successful model and set up a way that they can do the same because we’ve shown that it’s possible to stay open and keep operating with relatively low case numbers.”

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal noted that the WPI alumnus-founded nonprofit makerspace and incubator located in downtown Worcester is seeking new board members

Boston Globe

President Leshin was quoted in The Boston Globe article, “Regular testing across the whole campus community is really essential to success,” Leshin told The Globe, which also noted her role in leading the state’s task force on college reopening. “The testing was really critical…It’s not a secret formula.”

Boston Globe

Patrick Schaumont, professor of electrical and computer engineering, was included in The Boston Globe regarding a story about COVID-19 contact tracing apps. The story explores the larger picture of contact tracing apps being developed nationally. Reporter Hiawatha Bray wrote: “WPI said it’s developed a way to track location and time, while still concealing the identity of the infected person.”

 

Spectrum News 1

Patrick Schaumont, professor of electrical and computer engineering, was featured in a story on Spectrum News 1 discussing his research on a COVID-19 contact tracing app. “When you have been diagnosed as COVID-positive, you will have the ability to share your data with the health agency,” he says in the interview.

National Park Service

The National Park Service quoted Music Professor Fred Bianchi, director and advisor at the Glacier National Park Project Center, and detailed how WPI students pivoted when COVID-19 impacted their research there.

Article courtesy of the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, Glacier National Park

Spectrum News 1

Spectrum 1 News covered the $300,000 grant received by Haichong Zhang, assistant professor in robotics engineering and biomedical engineering, to build a robotic ultrasound machine to detect disease symptoms in the lungs. This is a significant development that will allow healthcare providers to minimize their exposure to the virus when conducting assessments of COVID-19 patients.

Telegram.com

In its College Town section, The Telegram & Gazette featured how Jacob Whitehill, assistant professor of computer science, is collaborating with colleagues at the University of Colorado Boulder to explore how artificially intelligent (AI) teaching agents might help encourage more meaningful collaboration among students in school classrooms.

Telegram.com

Steven Van Dessel, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and his students were highlighted in The Telegram & Gazette (scroll down to last graph) for designing the new WWl memorial at Green Hill Park, which was unveiled yesterday.

Worcester Magazine

Paul Mathisen, director of sustainability, spoke with Worcester Magazine about the Green Worcester Plan. The goal of the plan is to make the city more energy sustainable and climate resilient. “A sustainable society really needs to be resilient, in that it can make an efficient recovery from the impact of various weather events,” Mathisen told the magazine.

Telegram.com

David Ibbett, adjunct professor of music, sat down with The Telegram & Gazette to talk about his first album, "Octave of Light," which was written based on the more than 4,000 exoplanets that have been discovered in our solar system. Ibbett will debut his album tonight via live stream at the Boston Museum of Science. 

Spectrum News 1

Spectrum News 1 spoke with David Ibbett, adjunct professor of music, about his first album, Octave of Light, which will debut this Thursday. Ibbett, who will also live stream a performance of the album from the Boston Museum of Science (also on Thursday), wrote the album to explore the possibility of life on exoplanets.

Boston Globe

WPI and President Leshin were named to The Boston Globe Magazine’s “The 2020 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts” WPI was ranked at 42. The list, a joint project of The Commonwealth Institute and The Globe’s magazine, includes leaders of health care companies, retail giants, financial institutions, and nonprofits. 

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal sought insight from Michael Elmes, professor of business, for its article.“Given how easily this virus is transmitted via aerosol droplets in closed spaces, it is not clear to me how many customers will risk eating in restaurants in spite of the precautions that restaurants are taking,” he told The Journal.

Firehouse

Firehouse noted WPI’s role in the development of fire protection degrees (5th graph) in their article. “As time and society evolved, more fire protection-related degree programs were founded, including large ones at Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Maryland and Worcester Polytechnic Institute,” the article stated.

Boston Business Journal

The Boston Business Journal reported that Richard J. Doherty, who has led the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICUM) since 2005, plans to step down May 31. WPI President Laurie Leshin commented on the announcement: “The respect for Rich at the Massachusetts State House and with our Congressional delegation undoubtedly begins with Rich’s integrity and earnest concern for the students and families who attend our colleges and universities. His role this past year in assisting our colleges and universities to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic has been invaluable.”

NBC Boston

President Leshin was interviewed by NBC Boston for the segment, “Containing Covid at WPI” (6:35 mark). The report cited President Leshin saying that students are following the university’s masking and social distance guidelines.

Telegram.com

Andrew Palumbo, assistant vice president for enrollment management & dean of admissions & financial aid, was quoted in The Telegram & Gazette article, “Pandemic Enrollment Effect a Mixed Bag for Central Mass. Colleges".

Worcester Business Journal

WPI was noted in The Worcester Business Journal article, “Fitchburg State Drops $50 Application Fee.” “Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced it, too, was dropping its $70 application fee. The school said the change was part of an ongoing effort to make its application process more accessible,” the article stated.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

More than 70 media outlets, including the Latin Trade , Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and the Oklahoman carried the news of WPI welcoming 19 full-time educators and researchers to its faculty for the 2020-21 academic year.