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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Cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure keep happening. How worried should we be?

Professor Craig Shue, head of the computer science department, provided analysis for this USA Today article on the impact and frequency of cyberattacks that probe critical networks. 

BBC Sky At Night Magazine

BBC Sky At Night Magazine highlighted published research by a team led by MIT astrophysicist Sara Seager and her son, Max Seager, a junior at WPI, exploring the idea that the clouds above Venus could sustain the building blocks of life. 

BBC Radio 4

The Global School Dean Mimi Sheller was interviewed for BBC Radio 4’s Analysis program for an episode which explores the politics around driving, traffic policy, fuel taxes, and the political power of the motorist. Sheller, a scholar on mobilities, discusses the role of the vehicle in society, lifestyle, and identity; and how the pandemic changed some mindsets and behaviors around driving. 

BestColleges

“We're teaching the technology, but then we're helping students turn that into something that's going to make a difference in the world." The Business School Dean Debora Jackson discusses how WPI prepares future business leaders, in an article in BestColleges, a student resources website.

Boston 25

Climate change is challenging infrastructure like seawalls, drainage culverts, and wastewater systems. Carrick Eggleston, professor and head of WPI’s Department of Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering explains that extreme rainfall is happening more frequently in New England, and in some places, a storm that used to have a 1 in 100 chance of happening in any given year now has a 1 in 8 chance of happening in any given year. Learn more about the effects of climate change on infrastructure in this Boston 25 News report.

AFP (Agence France-Presse)

Wendy’s will test dynamic pricing, meaning products may cost more at times of peak demand and less in off-hours. Purvi Shah, associate professor of marketing in The Business School, analyzes the risk and potential reward for the company in this article from Agence France-Presse in Le Parisien 

Axios

“Consumers see surge pricing that is based on time as an unfair practice… however, small price changes often go undetected by consumers.” In this Axios article, Farnoush Reshadi, assistant professor of marketing in The Business School, discusses Wendy’s decision to test out dynamic pricing

WCVB

Alexander Wyglinski, professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies, was interviewed by WCVB-TV for analysis on the nearly day-long wireless network outage affecting cell phone customers nationwide.

Spectrum News 1

Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies, provided analysis for Spectrum News 1 for its reporting on a wireless network outage that left tens of thousands of customers in the U.S. without the ability to make calls or send text messages.

Associated Press

The wireless network outage affecting tens of thousands of customers across the U.S. left many people unable to call or text. Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies, described in this Associated Press article how some affected customers may be able to still call or text by using an alternative to the cellular network. The article was re-published by several other media outlets including yahoo! finance, WISH-TV (Indianapolis), Las Vegas Review-Journal, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, WPIX-TV (New York), he Detroit News, and the Anchorage Daily News.

 

Mass Live

A wireless network outage affecting tens of thousands of customers in the U.S. demonstrated how important information technology and communications networks are to everyday tasks. Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies explains in this article in MassLive.

WBUR 90.9

In a report on the nationwide cellular network outages, WBUR cited analysis from Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies, regarding a potential workaround for some customers who were unable to call or text.

Boston Globe

Alexander Wyglinski, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean of Graduate Studies, is quoted in this article in The Boston Globe about a nationwide cell network outage. He offers a potential workaround for customers unable to text or call on the cellular network.

 

 

Eagle Times (Claremont, NH)

An article in the Eagle Times of Claremont, New Hampshire details a partnership between WPI, DEKA Research and Development, and Spark Academy to put a robot in every classroom in New Hampshire.

iBerkshires.com

Governor Maura Healey has formed a task force on AI and named President Grace Wang as a member. Wang and the other members will make recommendations on how Massachusetts can leverage AI technology to bolster the economy. This article on iBerkshires.com details the effort to make the state a leader in applied artificial intelligence.

New Bedford Guide

President Grace Wang has been named as a member of a state task force that will study artificial intelligence technology and its impact on Massachusetts. 

Nature

Jean King, the Peterson Family Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences authored a column for Nature's World View. She outlines why the scientific community must do more to champion pay equity, increase representation, and foster supportive inclusive environments for women and other underrepresented groups in STEM.

 

The Post (Wellington, New Zealand)

A student team is in New Zealand partnering with a community-based organization and surveying residents in an effort to protect kiwi, birds that are a national symbol in New Zealand. Their efforts are highlighted in an article from The Post of Wellington. This student project is one of many focused on wildlife protection that our students have done at the New Zealand Project Center for more than a decade

Axios Boston

Governor Maura Healey has appointed President Grace Wang to the state's Artificial Intelligence Strategic Task Force. Wang and 24 others on the panel will make recommendations later this year to leverage AI across the Massachusetts economy to stimulate job creation and advance key sectors. Axios Boston reported on the appointment.

 

Retail TouchPoints

“The fundamental principle driving the success of limited-edition products is creating a sense of scarcity.” Assistant Professor of Marketing Farnoush Reshadi explains some of the marketing forces driving consumer demand for Stanley tumblers in an article in Retail TouchPoints. 

WGBH

Worldwide health challenges are global, from pandemics to water quality and inequitable access to care. Professor Karen Oates, who directs WPI’s master’s in global health program, spoke with GBH News’ “All Things Considered” about how technology, including artificial intelligence, can be leveraged to address these challenges. Our new degree program will empower students to design innovative, socially responsible solutions that can improve people’s health.