Professor Wodin-Schwartz joined WPI in August 2015. Her Ph.D. research focused on the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for down hole geothermal well monitoring. Before joining WPI, she spent two years at the technical consulting firm Exponent Inc., where she conducted failure analyses and design evaluations for projects ranging from consumer products to power systems. As a consultant she worked with over 75 different clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

She is passionate about teaching core engineering and critical thinking skills that apply to application-driven problem solving. Her research and scholarship focuses on bringing hands-on and project based learning into larger-enrollment core courses in engineering science; and new educational tools, including a mobile app developed for Introduction to Static Systems (Free-Body Diagram, available in the Mac App Store).  Another teaching project she has shared widely is Flying Forces. This project was distinguished as a gold star exemplar by the national KEEN organization. It was featured in the KEEN’zine and reprinted in ASEE PRISM magazine. 

Prof. Wodin-Schwartz's current research engages in the scholarship of teaching and learning, and she shares her learning with the wider engineering education community through the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). She has received multiple awards in recognition of her teaching creativity and success, including the 2019 Romeo L. Moruzzi Young Faculty Award for Innovative Undergraduate Education, the 2019 National KEEN Rising Star award, and the 2020 WPI Board of Trustees Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Prof. Wodin-Schwartz is excited to work with students to help them understand not only the technical skills required of them as engineers but also the social, environmental, and physical implications of implementing technical engineering solutions.   Her own engagement with social and environmental issues in engineering has included her work as a traveling mentor for Engineers Without Borders (EWB), traveling repeatedly with the WPI EWB club on trips to Cisne de Conchan, Ecuador and Shungubug, Ecuador, to assess and implement portions of a water distribution system by working with the community to design and develop a system that fits within their physical and social structure.  Prof. Wodin-Schwartz has also worked towards creating a more diverse engineering pipeline for both WPI and the field of engineering by engaging with younger students, especially women, in programs such as Camp Reach.

In addition to teaching in the classroom, Prof. Wodin-Schwartz has advised both off-campus IQPs and on- and off- campus MQPs, including IQP projects at two project sites (Namibia and Worcester, UK virtual), and she has guided teams to winning both the President’s IQP award and two Provost’s MQP awards.  

Visit Digital WPI to view student research and projects advised by Professor Wodin-Schwartz.