Academic Deans & Staff

Terri A. Camesano has been the Dean of Graduate Studies at WPI since 2014, and was the inaugural full-time Dean of Graduate Studies. In her current role, she oversees Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Professional Development, Online Graduate Education, and Professional Education. Dean Camesano is also the primary advocate for our 2000+ graduate students, and oversees Master's, PhD, and Certificate programs in all areas of Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Business. Dean Camesano is also faculty in Chemical Engineering, and has been at WPI since 2000. 

Dr. Dunbar is a tenured Professor of Finance at WPI. In addition to his extensive experience in teaching and research, he has a wealth of industry experience working with several fortune 500 companies in various capacities.Professor Dunbar's research has appeared in leading economics and finance journals such as Quantitative Finance, Economic Modeling, International Review of Financial Analysis, and Research in International Business and Finance, amongst others. His research has received considerable attention via citations, and he regularly presents his work at leading international ...

Arne Gericke is the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and a Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry.The research in my lab is generally concerned with the biophysical characterization of lipid mediated protein functions.We are particularly interested in studying phosphoinositide mediated signaling pathways. Phosphoinositide lipids represent only a small fraction of lipids in cellular membranes, yet their importance for cellular processes cannot be overstated. Phosphoinositides mediate physiological functions by regulating the activity and/or ...

Dr. Jean King is an active neuroscientist and Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Previously Dr. King was the Vice Provost of Biomedical Research and Professor of Psychiatry, Radiology, and Neurology (with tenure) at UMass Medical School, where she had been a faculty member since 1994.  Together with other administrative leaders at WPI, Dean King has launched new undergraduate and graduate programs in Learning Science, Neuroscience, Interactive Media and Game Development, and AI and has expanded undergraduate research opportunities.  Dr. King’s ...

Dr. Mimi Sheller is the Dean of The Global School and is an internationally recognized scholar and higher education leader, with fifteen years of executive leadership across academic units, research centers, and professional organizations. Prior to joining WPI, she was tenured Professor of Sociology, Head of the Sociology Department, and founding Director of the Center for Mobilities Research and Policy at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Dr. Sheller was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa from Roskilde University, Denmark, in 2015, the Drexel Provost’s Award for Outstanding Career Scholarly ...

Debbie supports the dean of Graduate Studies. In this role, she provides organizational and administrative assistance and manages a range of special projects and activities. Her responsibilities include providing financial management support, overseeing the graduate travel fund, and coordinating graduate student events. Debbie brings more than 20 years of experience in retail and business environments. She is the former owner and operator of a full-service bridal shop, and previously served as a flight attendant for United Airlines. She enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her ...

Camille Bouchard-Chhoeuk, Director of Operations,  is a dedicated research operations professional with extensive experience supporting academic research initiatives. In her role at the university, she oversees the coordination and administration of research programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. Camille works closely with the Vice President for Research & Innovation, faculty, staff, and external partners to streamline processes, facilitate collaboration, and enhance the overall efficiency of research activities. Her strategic mindset and commitment to operational ...

Anna Gold joined the WPI community as University Librarian in 2017. She brought with her a passion for and dedication to polytechnic learning and interdisciplinary research.At WPI she has led projects to renew Gordon Library spaces to better serve as vibrant, productive working and learning spaces where students feel empowered and supported. She has also led the library's Digital WPI initiative that showcases WPI student projects and research as well as the cultural and historical treasures of the WPI Archives.Anna began her career as a research librarian at the Library of Congress. In 1994, ...

Antje is the Assistant Vice Provost for Research and in this capacity, she supports the university’s research and technology commercialization enterprises. She directs WPI's research development services and assists in the administration and operations of centers and institutes, internal grant programs, and core instrumentation facilities.  She participates in the negotiation of major research contracts and coordinates corporate research strategy and support with the Academic and Corporate Engagement and the University Advancement divisions.     Prior to joining WPI ...

Carla provides information technology support and solutions to the divisions of Academic Affairs by assisting in the design, development, testing and integration of IT tools, applications and products.

Aprile Mero is the Director of Operations in Undergraduate Studies and Summer Session.

Susan joined the Provost office in October 2008. She provides direct academic support to the Academic Affairs Operations Manager. In her role, she supports a variety of duties such as preparing faculty appointment letters and payroll paperwork (EPAF), Banner entry for all academic appointments, TA/RA tracking, survey submissions, streamline processes, oversees and creates tutorials for all office procedures, Banner programs and forms. She maintains various tracking systems and works on special projects as needed.

As a Senior Fellow in WPI’s Center for Project-Based Learning, which I established in 2016, I work with colleagues across campus to help advance project-based learning at colleges and universities around the nation and the globe. We also support project-based learning here on the WPI campus. Most of my scholarly and professional activity has centered around experiential and international education. Through my involvement in organizations such as the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the American Society for Engineering Education, I work to promote WPI’s approach to ...

Bogdan Vernescu is Professor of mathematical sciences and the Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation.His research is in applied mathematics for multiscale materials sciences, focusing on the characterization of material properties of composites, porous media, suspensions, emulsions and electrorheological/magnetorheological materials. He has published over 60 research papers, a monograph and a proceedings volume. He has held visiting positions at MIT, in France at the University of Metz, University of Nancy, University of Savoie, University Jean-Monnet-Saint-Étienne, ...

Project-based learning is an enormously powerful approach to education. I've been changed by it; I've watched students be changed by it. I've seen faculty develop a renewed sense of joy in teaching from using it. And now, after over a decade of using PBL with students, I'm embarking on a new phase of helping faculty implement PBL through the work of the Center for Project-Based Learning. The good news - working with faculty on PBL is as much fun as working with students!