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WPI to research wildfires, from space
Astronauts on the International Space Station will perform experiments for a study led by James Urban, assistant professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering. A spacecraft carrying materials for the experiments was launched to the space station in August. Urban studies wildfires and believes the experiments in microgravity will provide insight on non-steady flame behavior and lead to better understanding of how wildfires spread on Earth. The research was featured in Are We There Yet? - The Space Exploration Podcast, Spaceflight Now, Spectrum News 1, Industry Wired, and MassLive.
A team of computer science and data science students developed a smartphone app, in partnership with the EcoTarium, designed to make visiting the outdoor museum a more robust, independent, and accessible experience for people with visual impairment.
Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor of finance and director of WPI’s financial technology programs, provided analysis for a Techopedia article about stablecoins. He addressed some of the reasons behind the increased adoption of this form of cryptocurrency, the potential benefits of using stablecoins in cross-border payments, and remaining hurdles to more widespread use.
A new transfer agreement with Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) aims to create a smooth pathway for MWCC students to continue their education in STEM fields at WPI.
Bioengineer.org wrote about a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation that Kyumin Lee, associate professor of computer science, and Renata Konrad, associate professor at The Business School, will use to develop technology and data analysis that will deter illegal wildlife trafficking.
Erica Brozovsky, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Humanities & Arts, authored a piece for The Mozilla Blog that outlines some of the interesting backstories behind commonly used words and phrases related to the internet.
Farnoush Reshadi, assistant professor of marketing, provided analysis for a WalletHub article about the steps parents should take if they want to open a bank account for a child and how to teach kids about banking.
New students participated in the traditional crossing of the Earle Bridge to mark their arrival on campus. "I really hold the traditions and the community of WPI really highly," Michaela Cluett, a senior from Charlton who serves as the president of WPI's Student Government Association, said.
Rosanna Garcia, professor of innovation and entrepreneurship in The Business School, spoke with Fortune about how entrepreneurship-focused MBA programs help drill home an entrepreneurial mindset and the concert of "customer discovery."
The Worcester Business Journal named Theona Scola to its 40 under 40 list. Scola serves as a director of donor strategy and stewardship in the Division of University Advancement. The article outlines Scola's contributions to donor outreach efforts and service to WPI's Staff Council.
The Worcester Business Journal named Denis Brown to its 40 under 40 list. He serves as resident district manager for Chartwells Higher Education dining services at WPI. The article outlines his contributions including efforts to work with students to construct new meal plans.
Dylan Shanes, an alumnus of the undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program, is featured in this Telegram & Gazette article on some of the region's first-time teachers.
New agreements with Mount Wachusett Community College and Middlesex Community College represent additional steps WPI has taken to encourage community college students to continue their STEM studies at WPI. Students who meet requirements at MWCC, MCC, and other regional community colleges who have agreements with WPI will be guaranteed admission to WPI.
A new agreement with Mount Wachusett Community College aims to provide pathways for students pursuing higher education in STEM fields. It seeks to facilitate and support the transfer of MWCC students into WPI's programs.
For the first time this fall, the Great Problems Seminar, a program for first-year students, will feature two courses dedicated to understanding and thinking critically about artificial intelligence. The Telegram & Gazette highlighted one of the new courses: AI, Design, and Society. The course will provide a hands-on opportunity to build and use AI systems and to explore the history and future of AI. It will be co-taught by Sarah Stanlick, director of the Great Problems Seminar and assistant professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies, and Gillian Smith, director of the Interactive Media and Game Development Program and associate professor of computer science.
DesignNews reported on how using emerging technologies, including augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and digital twins, can improve training for the workforce of the future. Robert Dempski, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, a member of the Interactive Media and Game Development program, and managing director of the Intentional Design Studio, discussed the demonstrated advantages of training tools he and his students are developing for laboratory safety and tool assembly.
Milosh Puchovsky, a professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, provided analysis for The Boston Guardian about the fire risks associated with batteries in e-bikes when they are charged improperly, stored incorrectly, or not up to industry safety standards.
The Green Business Journal in the United Kingdom reported on an analysis authored by faculty and PhD students in the Department of Chemical Engineering and researchers from the University of Bath. It found a simple and scalable technology could increase the viability of recycling products like food packaging and packing peanuts.
Inside Higher Ed highlighted recent research by WPI researchers who looked into how syllabi can signal inclusivity in the classroom. The study, originally published in Nature's Humanities and Social Sciences Connections, was authored by Francesca Bernardi, Crystal Brown, Lindsay Davis, Michelle Ephraim, Rebecca Moody and Raisa Trubko.
Live Science explained the science behind the squeaking sounds of metal with the help of Robert Hyers, professor and department head of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WPI. The article was also distributed through Yahoo! News and Inkl.
The Worcester Guardian reports WPI landed on College Raptor's 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings. These rankings, now in their tenth year, evaluate schools based on selectivity, financial health, academic rigor, and student success. WPI earned recognition as one of the top schools in the nation for AI, ranking 14th on the list.
