In the News

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WPI launches unique explosion protection program

MassLive published an article and video for its coverage of the university's new explosion protection engineering master's program, the first of its kind in the U.S. Designed amid growing concerns about fire and explosion risk posed by manufacturing facilities and advancing technologies like electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells, the new program builds on WPI’s esteemed legacy in fire protection engineering, which has been at the forefront of fire safety education and research since its inception in 1978.

 

Worcester Business Journal

WPI students were recipients of funding and mentorship following an inaugural pitch competition for student-founded businesses.

Spectrum News 1

Student Rashad Stepney was interviewed by Spectrum News 1 about participating in an annual day of volunteerism in Worcester. 

Spectrum News 1

The festival on campus was a collaboration of several student organizations and highlighted various cultures.

Worcester Business Journal

The new program also makes WPI the first in the U.S. to offer all three degree options in financial technology (bachelor's, master's, and PhD). The Worcester Business Journal reported on the PhD program launch and the industry needs and academic advancements driving the comprehensive offerings.

USA Today

Cryptocurrency and blockchain, the technology cryptocurrency operates on, are widely referenced, but not always understood. Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor of finance in The Business School and director of fintech programs, provided analysis for this USA Today Blueprint article that seeks to explain some frequently asked questions.

 

Boston Globe

The Boston Globe's Social Studies column on "surprising findings from the social sciences" recently featured a paper by Kenny Ching, assistant professor in the business school. In Organization Science, Ching reported that past competitors can actually make really good teammates. 

Virgin Islands Source

Two master’s students in the Community Climate Adaptation program, Sol Giesso and Jonathan Chang, are in the U.S. Virgin Islands exploring the effects of climate change. The research is part of WPI’s collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts to address climate change in the Caribbean. The students' research is the focus of an article in the Virgin Islands Source.

Telegram.com

Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff gathered on the campus quad to observe and celebrate the solar eclipse, which featured 93% solar coverage in Worcester. The viewing event was reported on by the Telegram & Gazette, and the article was republished by Yahoo! News. Rudra Kafle, associate professor of teaching in the physics department, provided analysis for the article on the importance of safe viewing practices.

Spectrum News 1

Eclipses, like the one we experienced this week, are both exciting and moments of immense potential for scientific discovery. Rudra Kafle, associate professor of teaching in the physics department, explains in this report from Spectrum News 1 Worcester.

The Worcester Guardian

Amid the excitement for the 2024 total solar eclipse, Rudra Kafle, associate professor of teaching in the physics department, shared his thoughts on what makes these celestial events rare and scientifically important.

IIENetworker

WPI’s distinctive global project-based learning is featured in the Spring issue of IIENetworker magazine from the Institute of International Education. Read to learn how our students apply their knowledge to authentic real-world problems at our global project centers, and how our alumni say this approach shaped them personally and professionally. The article by Kathleen Head, director of the Global Experience Office, and Krista Miller, assistant director of the Global Experience Office, details WPI’s project-based learning model, the Global Projects Program, and the Interactive Qualifying Project.

Spectrum News 1

"What people can do is be proactive...if they are a potential identify theft victim, there are simple steps you can do to protect yourself." Patrick Schaumont, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, provided analysis regarding what consumers should be doing following AT&T's disclosure of a data breach.

Fortune

George T. Heineman, associate professor of computer science, talked about various programming-related roles for an article on high-paying industry jobs in Fortune. 

Worcester Business Journal

Over two months, WPI has received donations from seven individuals totaling $18.6 million. The donations will support capital projects, an endowment for a global project center, scholarships, and a faculty research fund.

Various news outlets reported on the inauguration of President Grace J. Wang, PhD. Wang told Spectrum News 1 she plans to further grow WPI as a technology and talent hub for the region.

In an interview with The Worcester Guardian, Wang expanded on WPI's potential to enhance the region's innovation economy.

WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station, also highlighted the inauguration in a roundup of stories in its local newscasts.

 

BestColleges

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

Spectrum News 1

Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts and Sciences, talked with Spectrum News 1 about a WPI-led, National Institutes of Health-funded study of how artificial intelligence can fine-tune the effectiveness of mindfulness on chronic pain. 

Fortune

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a robotics engineer, and how you can become one? This Fortune Magazine article includes expertise and advice for people considering an education and a career in the field from Jing Xiao, head of WPI’s department of robotics engineering.

Worcester Business Journal

Research led by Yan Wang, William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical Engineering will receive $75,000 in funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Wang is developing a recycling process to recover valuable chemicals and metals from discarded solar panels.

Waste Advantage Magazine

A WPI research team working to tackle harmful algal blooms by creating 3D-printed floating structures which serve as photocatalysts was chosen for funding by the Environmental Protection Agency. The project will include students in mechanical & materials engineering and robotics engineering, Professors Pratap Rao and Markus Nemitz, and postdoctoral fellow Ceren Yilmaz Akkaya.