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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.
TechXplore featured research by Erin Solovey, associate professor computer science, and a team from Drexel University that investigated the impact and importance of trust in interactions between humans and Embodied virtual agents (EVAs). These graphically represented 3D virtual characters that display human-like behavior, could have valuable applications in a variety of settings including helping people practice their language skills or could serve as companions for the elderly and people with psychological or behavioral disorders.
Sarah Strauss, professor of integrative and global studies, and Jeanine Dudle, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, discuss the university’s new graduate program in Community Climate Adaptation. “We wanted to use our existing infrastructure and extend this at the master’s level to create an interdisciplinary program with a specific goal of helping communities adapt to the impacts of climate change,” Strauss said.
Assistant Professor, Kenny Ching, Foisie Business School, did a radio interview with Money FM 89.3 Singapore, on the explosive growth of e-Sports, and the role Singapore can play.
Numerous media outlets reported on the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi), the award-winning center for academic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the Massachusetts video games ecosystem, moving to WPI this summer.
In its College Town section, The Telegram & Gazette noted the roles of WPI robotics engineering professor Marko Popovic and undergraduates Mia Buccowich ’22, Andy Strauss ’23 and Brian Fay ’22 in helping to develop a partial hand prosthetic for University of Houston student Payton Heiberger.
Marco Kaltofen, associate research engineer, was quoted in the DeSmog article. “At 5,800 microrems an hour, it would take only about two days to get your typical ANNUAL dose of industrial/medical radiation,” Kaltofen stated, referencing dose limits set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the nuclear and medical industries.
Numerous media outlets reported on the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi), the award-winning center for academic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the Massachusetts video games ecosystem, moving to WPI this summer.
Numerous media outlets reported on the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi), the award-winning center for academic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the Massachusetts video games ecosystem, moving to WPI this summer.
WPI robotics engineering professor Marko Popovic discusses the work of a WPI student team that is building a partial hand prosthetic for University of Houston student Payton Heiberger. “She’s thinking about moving the thumb in a certain direction, and then is succeeding,” he said. Heiberger added that “the WPI team showed me (a partial prosthetic) is possible.”
WBZ-CBS Boston interviewed President Leshin for its report. “A total Wright brothers moment on the red planet” is how she referred to recent events involving the NASA Mars helicopter Ingenuity, a project to demonstrate that controlled flight, like an airplane or a helicopter, is feasible on Mars. “The technology that we invent to do things like fly a helicopter on Mars will have direct impact to improve life on earth."
Numerous media outlets reported on the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi), the award-winning center for academic cooperation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the Massachusetts video games ecosystem, moving to WPI this summer.
Boston 25 (Fox) News interviewed Shichao Liu, assistant professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, (18:24:31 mark) for a report on energy saving homes. “If you think about energy consumption reduction in the future to save the planet, then we have to look at the consumption by buildings. Using passive house standards, we can significantly reduce energy consumption by buildings.”
In a two-minute feature piece, WPI robotics engineering professor Marko Popovic and undergraduates Mia Buccowich ’22, Andy Strauss ’23 and Brian Fay ’22 discuss their roles in helping to develop a partial hand prosthetic for University of Houston student Payton Heiberger. “The (WPI) team has been amazing at just helping me get through this situation and helping me stay super positive,” said Heiberger.
WPI robotics engineering professor Marko Popovic and undergraduates Mia Buccowich ’22, Andy Strauss ’23 and Brian Fay ’22 are featured in a story about their role in developing a partial hand prosthetic for University of Houston student Payton Heiberger.
As colleges continue to grapple with the impact of COVID-19, Times Higher Ed takes a look at how schools will move forward. The article singles out WPI stating “Worcester Polytechnic Institution (sic) is likely to emerge stronger from the recession by continuing to build its core competencies.”
Martha Stewart Living cited work by Associate Chemical Engineering Professor Michael Timko in their online article. “What do you get when you mix food and yard waste? Hopefully a new eco-friendly source of biofuel. Michael Timko, a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts, is working on a project—being funded by the Department of Energy to the tune of almost $2 million—to mix food waste with municipal green waste, such as yard trimmings, leaves, and sticks. By combining the two kinds of waste, Timko is aiming to create even more energy-dense oil that can be upgraded to a liquid biofuel.”
The Hechinger Report published an opinion piece by Andrew Palumbo, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid. “If universities care about all students, they must better align admissions processes with their distinctive missions, values and goals while also eliminating the inequities that standardized test scores reinforce,” he wrote. “In March, faculty at WPI overwhelmingly adopted an eight-year test-blind pilot, transitioning from 13 years of test-optional admissions to a process that will not consider test scores for admission or financial aid. Importantly, this vote eliminated the antiquated use of SAT and ACT test scores because faculty recognize that they are poor predictors of college success, and they introduce and reinforce inequities that our university is committed to eliminating.”
The Worcester Business Journal reported on WPI creating a Master’s in Cyber Security, a new graduate program that prepares students to be leaders in the fields of cyber security and computer science. The program launches in fall 2021 and applications are currently being accepted. “We recognize that the workforce needs professionals who can combine technical expertise in security with an understanding of its impact on people and businesses,” Craig Shue, associate professor of computer science, said in a statement.
Rodica Neamtu, associate teaching professor of computer science, was quoted in a Worcester Magazine article on her students developing an iOS phone app for Worcester-based nonprofit Audio Journal. “I realized that this was going to be something bigger than creating a nice app,” Neamtu said, referring to the project the students did as part of their Major Qualifying Project (MQP).
WPI civil and environmental engineer Jeanine Dudle and global studies professor Sarah Strauss spoke with Doug Parsons, host of the popular “America Adapts” climate change podcast, about WPI’s new Community Climate Adaptation graduate program. The program will provide value for students through a unique participatory experience and generate a strong foundation for faculty research and enhanced community impacts.
