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

Worcester Business Journal

“When engineering meets art, there are a lot of interesting ideas.” Civil, environmental & architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu detailed how faculty at the university are teaching the skills needed to build for climate change. In this Worcester Business Journal article, he also outlined how buildings are being designed with decarbonization and resiliency in mind.

CBS Boston

Civil, environmental, & architectural engineering professor Mingjiang Tao was interviewed by WBZ-TV for this story on why so many roads were swallowed by sinkholes in recent devastating flooding. Tao explained how soaking rain undermines pavement and how other weather factors like heat waves can put stress on roads.

Telegram.com

A hot week forced schools to make changes. How does a hot classroom affect learning? Research from Shichao Liu, professor of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering, shows an impact when the room temperature hits a certain point. He provided comments and expertise for this story in the Telegram & Gazette.

CBS Boston

Hot weather can make learning a challenge. Civil, environmental, and architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu shared his research on heat and learning with WBZ, Boston's CBS News station. Liu says reasoning performance and memory function can drop when classroom temperatures rise.

Mass Live

Yan Wang, the William Smith Foundation Dean's Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, was interviewed by MassLive about the growth and future manufacturing trends in the electric battery industry. The article highlights the work done by Wang's lab at WPI to develop a process for lithium-ion battery recycling.

New Energy and Fuel

New Energy and Fuel reported on James H. Manning professor of chemical engineering Xiaowei Teng's research into how chloride ions from seawater could be used to fuel batteries of the future. 

Telegram.com

Lora Brueck, longtime librarian and WPI's first official archivist, now retired, will be honored by the organization ArtsWorcester. This article in the Telegram & Gazette, which also appeared in Worcester Magazine, details Brueck's volunteer work to advance the arts and the work she did at WPI to open the library's exhibition spaces to area artists.

Banking Dive

Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor at The Business School, spoke with Banking Dive about the new bachelor's and master's fintech degrees. 

WBUR 90.9

Humanities & arts professor Yunus Telliel was a guest on Radio Boston for a discussion on artificial intelligence. He shared insight on regulations surrounding the technology and the ethical questions we should be asking about A.I. "At the center of this conversation is what does it mean to be human," Telliel said. "The deeper question is not about A.I. It's about us." 

Worcester Business Journal

Research by professor of biology & biotechnology Inna Nechipurenko was featured in this Worcester Business Journal article. The professor's research focuses on the mysteries of tiny cellular structures and how they affect the development of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Boston Business Journal

Boston Business Journal reported on The Business School's new FinTech degree programs.

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reported on The Business School's rollout of new bachelor's and master's FinTech degree programs.

CBS Boston

Social science and policy studies associate professor Erin Ottmar spoke with CBS Boston about how changes to spacing and color could make algebra easier.

Associated Press

Michael Ahern, instructor, and recently retired Director of Power Systems at WPI, provided analysis for an Associated Press report on the presence of uninsulated electrical wires in Maui before the devastating wildfires. The reporting on power line infrastructure and questions about the source of the fires was republished by hundreds of outlets including the Los Angeles Times, PBS NewsHour, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo! News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Politico.

Science

Brajendra Mishra, the Kenneth G. Merriam Professor of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and the Director of the Metals Processing Institute at WPI, is prominently quoted in this Science article which looks at the growing global problem of what to do with red mud, one of the most abundant industrial wastes on the planet. "The composition of [red mud] varies so much it means one [type of solution] will not work," says Mishra.

Spectrum News 1

Spectrum News 1 Worcester captured the sights and sounds of the traditional new student crossing of the Earle Bridge. The coverage was part of a story on the economic impact of colleges in Worcester.

Telegram.com

A WPI course on artificial intelligence and academic writing makes a Telegram & Gazette list of interesting and unusual classes offered at area colleges this fall.

Reuters

Fire protection engineering professors Albert Simeoni and James Urban were quoted in a Reuters Fact Check article on the dynamics of the devastating fires in Hawaii. They explain how wildfires spread and why some things in a burned area avoid damage when so much else is destroyed.

AFP (Agence France-Presse)

Agence France-Presse interviewed Purvi Shah, professor at The Business School, about the phenomenon behind the recent resurgence of items such as Barbie, Furbies, and Grimace. Shah has done extensive research in this area, even coining the term "nostalgic brand love", which is a main driver behind the newfound popularity. The original article was published in French and widely circulated to English media outlets such as MSN and Barron's.

WalletHub

Global health professor Tsitsi B. Masvawure provided analysis for this WalletHub article on uneven and lagging efforts in the U.S. to address gender inequality. She points out reasons why the country ranks poorly on many health metrics used to measure gender gaps.