Experts on mathematical modeling

Mathematical modeling is a fundamental tool in engineering and science. It is a way of representing, through equations and algorithms, the behavior of real objects and systems. Scientists and engineers build models and then test, or validate, them through observation and experiments. Among many other purposes, WPI experts on mathematical modeling use mathematical models to study biological systems, to fine tune medical imaging technology, to help prevent human trafficking, and develop soft robots for search and rescue missions.

Neil Heffernan
  • Professor Computer Science
Professor Heffernan researches how smarter technologies can help K-12 classrooms use technology more effectively and optimize student learning. His platform (ASSISTments) can run 100 different experiments comparing different interventions; I’m
Renata Konrad
Renata Konrad
  • Professor The Business School
Professor Konrad recently returned from a Fulbright scholarship in Lviv, Ukraine, where she exchanged offices and homes with a professor at a Ukrainian university. She studies the application of industrial engineering and mathematical knowledge. Her
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Sarah D Olson
  • William Steur Professor & Department Head Mathematical Sciences
Professor Olson explores development of mathematical and computational models to understand emergent phenomenon in biological systems. Applications include tissue engineering, micro-organism motility, muscle contraction, and cell division in cancer cells. ...
Cagdas Onal
  • Associate Professor Robotics Engineering
Professor Onal conducts research in soft robotics, a largely underexplored area of robotics that has significance in medicine, manufacturing, and disaster response. Soft robots could potentially be deployed in search-and-rescue missions, as intelligent
Carlo Pinciroli
  • Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator Robotics Engineering
Professor Pinciroli's research focuses on designing innovative tools for swarm robotics. The ultimate goal of my work is to create a resilient, easily deployable hardware/software robotic infrastructure for dangerous missions such as disaster response,
Adam Clayton Powell
  • Associate Professor Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Professor Powell focuses his research on validated mathematical modeling of metal process development for clean energy and energy efficiency, including rare earths (rare earth metals, rare earth materials). His research group is developing new projects
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Andrew C Trapp
  • Professor The Business School
Prof. Trapp's research areas include placement optimization in refugee resettlement, human trafficking, and foster care. Given the recent events on the United States southern border and across the world he can provide insight into the following: Refugee D...
Bogdan Vernescu
Bogdan M. Vernescu
  • Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Vice Provost for Research
As a professor of mathematical sciences and widely published researcher, Bogdan Vernescu areas of expertise include composite materials, porous media, smart materials, applied mathematics and mathematical modeling. As Vice President and Vice Provost for
Eric Mosher Young
  • Associate Professor-Engineering Chemical Engineering
Prof. Young is an expert in yeast, genetic engineering and synthetic biology. His research uses machine learning, directed evolution, gene editing, metabolic engineering, and genetic circuits to make yeast cell factories for producing medicines, biofuels, ...
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Haichong Zhang
  • Associate Professor Robotics Engineering
Professor Zhang is the founding director of the Medical Frontier Ultrasound Imaging and Robotic Instrumentation (Medical FUSION) Laboratory. The research in his lab focuses on the interface of medical imaging, sensing, and robotics; and on developing