RSS Feed for Latest News

The Power of Academic and Industry Collaboration Comes to Life through Student Research Projects at WPI

cbwamback — Fri, 02 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

On April 25, student teams representing every academic department on campus presented the results of their senior theses during WPI鈥檚 annual Undergraduate Research Project Showcase. This signature event showcases the culmination of WPI鈥檚 distinctive project-based undergraduate education, where students engage in team-based professional-level design and research that mirrors the challenges they will likely tackle in their careers. Known as major qualifying projects (MQPs), these yearlong experiences provide students with both technical skills and 鈥渟oft鈥?skills like communication, leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Industry support is vital to this process. Every year companies are invited to sponsor projects that introduce corporate-specific scenarios, offering students invaluable problem-solving experience while providing companies with bold new thinking and proposals for innovative solutions. Here are just a few examples of the exciting projects, conducted by graduating seniors, made possible by sponsors鈥?support this year.

Draper

L-R: Emma DeMartino; Fatimah Daffaie; Adeline Fede

Project: Investigating Endothelial Responses to Tissue Under In-Vitro Flow: System Development for the Preclinical Evaluation of Draper鈥檚 LEAP Valve
Department: Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Students: Fatimah Daffaie; Emma DeMartino; Adeline Fede
Advisors: Kristen Billiar, professor (BME); Corin Williams (Draper)

This project focused on helping children who have had heart valve replacements. Currently, replacement heart valves don鈥檛 grow as a child grows, which often means multiple surgeries. Draper has designed a new kind of heart valve鈥攖he LEAP Valve鈥攖hat鈥檚 made to grow with the child. The WPI team built a special lab setup that mimics how blood flows through the body, specifically how cells that line blood vessels react when the LEAP Valve is in place. This is a critical step in studying the efficacy of the valve and identifying how it affects the body prior to clinical trials.

鈥淲orking with Draper鈥檚 biotechnology department鈥攁nd learning from both the bio team and other departments鈥攚as an incredible experience,鈥?said Emma DeMartino. 鈥淥ur sponsor gave us so much helpful advice, and getting to see and understand the full scope of the project made it really fun and rewarding.鈥?amp;nbsp;

Draper advisor Corin Williams said, 鈥淚鈥檝e been really impressed with this team and the amount of work they put into the project. They essentially built this system from scratch鈥攏o one had created anything like it before. Watching it all come together from an initial concept to a fully realized system was incredibly exciting.鈥?lt;/span>

L-R: John Chau, Halim Faker

Fidelity Investments

Project: Creating the Metric Store for Business Performance Metrics
Departments: Computer Science (CS), Data Science (DS), Financial Technology (FT), Industrial Engineering (IE), Management Engineering (MGE)
Students: John Chau (DS, MGE, IE); Halim Faker (IE, FT); Mansi Gera (DS); Harshith Iyer (CS); Sophia John (CS)
Advisors: Marcel Blais, professor of teaching (mathematical sciences); Joshua Cuneo, senior instructor (CS); Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor (The Business School); Xin Gao, assistant professor (The Business School); Renata Konrad, associate professor (The Business School)

An interdisciplinary team of students worked with project sponsor Fidelity Investments to develop a prototype for a user-friendly web-based application for employees to view, search, and easily understand business performance metrics. The students said the partnership with Fidelity provided them with valuable connections who helped them gain technical expertise and a greater understanding of how data are used to inform business decisions.

鈥淲orking with Fidelity was one of the best experiences in my four years at WPI,鈥?said Halim Faker. 鈥淭his project was an opportunity to work in a company and learn how the financial world works and how important data are to customer analysis.鈥?lt;/span>

General Dynamics Electric Boat

L-R: Sofia Eckerson; Marc Donahue, MS 鈥?5 (CS); Samantha Germano; Taniya Crosby; Mir Valentine; Benjamin Perrin

Project: Designing an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle and Updating a Parametric Design Tool
Department: Mechanical and Materials Engineering (ME)
Students: Taniya Crosby; Marc Donahue, MS 鈥?5 (CS); Sofia Eckerson; Samantha Germano; Benjamin Perrin; Mir Valentine
Advisors: Ahmet Sabuncu, assistant teaching professor (ME); Shubbhi Taneja, assistant teaching professor (CS)

The team continued research started by the 2024 MQP team into the design of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), focusing on design features, materials, structural strength, and control systems. A key part of the work involved testing a new computer-based design tool and comparing its results to the 2024 team鈥檚 version. The students recommended refining the tool鈥檚 input settings, improving its ability to model water flow, and enhancing its real-time adaptability. Modeling is essential when working with large and complex systems like UUVs because it allows engineers to test designs virtually before anything is built. Another team will continue the sponsored project next year.

鈥淚t was a big responsibility to build on the work of last year鈥檚 team鈥攚e wanted to honor what they created while also making it our own and moving it forward,鈥?said Taniya Crosby. 鈥淲orking closely with our corporate sponsor helped us really understand the project鈥檚 full scope, and as we grew more confident, we focused on setting it up for success so next year鈥檚 team can launch it even further.鈥?lt;/span>

L-R: John Clendenin, Bora Hurst, Sara Kelly, Eli Budde, Dominic Brunetti

Honeywell

Project: GaN-based DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Applications
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Students: Dominic Brunetti; Eli Budde; John Clendenin; Bora Hurst; Sara Kelly; Vanessa Narciso
Advisor: Gregory Noetscher, assistant teaching professor (ECE)

The team worked with project sponsor Honeywell to design and develop a prototype for a compact and lightweight power converter for use in unmanned autonomous vehicles that utilize hydrogen fuel cell power. The students said the opportunity to work with Honeywell provided a valuable real-world experience, and they praised their project partners in the company for providing consistent feedback and information on industry standards.

鈥淚t was wonderful working with them,鈥?said John Clendenin. 鈥淭hey really helped show us their standard way of doing things. They mentored us through the printed circuit board layout schematic part of the project. We got insight from them on the whole manufacturing process, from simulation to schematic to printed circuit board to ordering it.鈥?lt;/span>

NVIDIA

L-R: Alexander Samra; Owen Rago

Project: Performance Architecture Team鈥擯owerSense
Department: Computer Science
Students: Owen Rago; Alexander Samra
Advisors: Mark Claypool, professor (CS); Lane Harrison, associate professor (CS)

NVIDIA, a top company known for making GPUs鈥攖he computer chips that help run advanced AI programs鈥攐pened its door to the MQP team at WPI鈥檚 Silicon Valley Project Center. The students worked on systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) within the Tegra division鈥檚 Performance Architecture Team, analyzing and improving how these chips perform so teams across Tegra can better understand and improve their technology.

鈥淲orking with a corporate sponsor at their headquarters gave me real-world experience鈥攚e were in the office from 8 to 5 every day, just like a full-time job. Being fully immersed in that environment helped me learn a lot about how I work best, what I value in a company, and what I鈥檒l be looking for as I start my career,鈥?said Alexander Samra. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just a class project鈥攊t was real work, with real expectations, and it gave me a true sense of what my future could look like.鈥?lt;/span>

L-R Aidan Eldridge; Abigail Stack; Lauren Mitcheson; Sean Sullivan

Saint-Gobain

Project: Optimizing the Finishing Process in Bond Plant 7
The Business School
Students: Aidan Eldridge, MS 鈥?5 (management); Lauren Mitcheson, MS 鈥?5 (business analytics); Abigail Stack, MS 鈥?5 (management); Sean Sullivan, MS 鈥?5 (management)
Advisor: Walter Towner, teaching professor (The Business School)

It鈥檚 no small task to increase the productivity of a manufacturing line, but that鈥檚 what four students set out to do for global company Saint-Gobain. The team members focused on improving the finishing processes on a production line in Worcester that makes large, circular abrasive wheels for cutting steel and other hard materials. The students, all of whom are graduating this year with BS degrees in industrial engineering plus MS degrees in business fields, proposed steps such as adding laser technology, organizing tools, and standardizing operating procedures to make the line more efficient. They estimated their proposed changes could increase production and revenue for Saint-Gobain.

鈥淚t was really cool. All the concepts we used in this project were concepts we had learned in courses,鈥?said Lauren Mitcheson. Added Aidan Eldridge, 鈥淎lmost everything we suggested, Saint-Gobain is trying out.鈥?lt;/span>

First-Year Students Explore Artificial Intelligence

jcain — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The steady drumbeat of news about advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its potential to unlock solutions and reshape the nature of work has made it clear that society is facing rapid transformation.

To help students prepare for the possibilities and challenges of this moment and the future, WPI has begun examining AI through its Great Problems Seminar, exposing first-year students to AI tools to explore how they work, to think critically about those tools鈥?potential benefits and risks to individuals and communities, and to consider ethical questions involving the emerging technology.

WPI鈥檚 Great Problems Seminar offers 11 courses, two-terms in length, to immerse first-year students in university-level research, introduce them to WPI鈥檚 project-based learning, and explore issues of global importance. This fall, the seminar launched two new AI courses.

鈥淭hrough this new curriculum, we鈥檙e calling on students to ask, 鈥楥an we?鈥?amp;nbsp; and 鈥楽hould we?鈥?when it comes to AI,鈥?said Sarah Stanlick, director of the Great Problems Seminar and an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies. 鈥淲e hear a lot about the potential of AI for good and sustainability. However, there are concerns about the hidden costs of running AI, such as data usage and resource depletion. I鈥檓 excited our students are exploring these complexities.鈥?amp;nbsp;

Students Solve Real-World Problems with Summer AI Research

leckelbecker — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

How do you build a future workforce of data science and artificial intelligence leaders? At WPI, one approach is to immerse undergraduates in an intense summer program鈥攖he Applied Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Applications research experience.

With a three-year grant of $461,597 for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site from the National Science Foundation, WPI launched this 10-week research-intensive program in June 2024.

Eleven students from eight institutions across the United States completed the program, successfully presenting their research findings on Aug. 1 at WPI鈥檚 annual summer undergraduate research showcase. The students worked in teams of two or three to tackle diverse AI challenges, including the development of better algorithms for computer vision to the design of a model that can detect and remove biased language in medical curricula.

Elke Rundensteiner

鈥淎 summer program like this provides undergraduates with the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge AI research and experience firsthand its potential to solve critical societal problems, all of which inspires them to return to their colleges and universities and choose the course and project work that will best prepare them for graduate studies,鈥?says Elke Rundensteiner, the William B. Smith Professor of Computer Science and founding head of WPI鈥檚 Data Science and Artificial Intelligence programs. 鈥淲e challenge undergraduates with real problems, which require them to learn material that they have never before encountered. This experience pushes them academically and personally and helps them gain confidence.鈥?lt;/p>

Led by Rundensteiner as principal investigator (PI) and co-PI Kelsey Briggs, director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives for Data Science, the summer experience built upon the university鈥檚 previous eight years of summer data science research programs for undergraduates. The program also reflected WPI鈥檚 long history of work on topics ranging from machine learning and deep learning to generative modeling.

Summer Scholars: WPI鈥檚 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Programs Inspire a New Wave of Students Ready to Take on the Challenges of Tomorrow

cbwamback — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The energy in WPI's Innovation Studio was sizzling August 1st during the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase that drew together a wide array of presenters with 70 projects on display. This annual event is more than just an exhibition鈥攊t's a vibrant celebration of WPI鈥檚 impact on an ever-growing community of aspiring scientists and engineers.

The Showcase highlighted the work of 166 undergraduate students from WPI and other colleges and universities who spent 10 weeks immersed in groundbreaking research at WPI. Students worked side-by-side with peers, graduate students, and faculty mentors through 17 different summer programs and in 19 departments across campus.

Among the standout programs featured at the showcase was the Early Research Experience in E-Term (EREE). This program is designed to ignite the spark of scientific inquiry in young researchers by placing them in the heart of high-performance labs. While each project tackled a different subject, every student gained experience in exploring the fundamentals of research, teamwork, and presentation skills while contemplating research as a potential lifelong pursuit.

Showcase Snapshots:

WPI students Kerstin Andrews, Class of 2025, and Madeline Jaszek, Class of 2027, researched the effects of growth conditions on trophoblasts, which are cells that make up the placenta, anchoring the organ as well as transferring oxygen and nutrients to a fetus. Andrews has spent two years in the lab of Professor Christina Bailey-Hytholt. 鈥淚鈥檝e really found my purpose in research,鈥?Andrews said. For Jaszek, research was a new experience. 鈥淚鈥檇 never been in a lab before, but the project fit with my plans to go to medical school and my interest in obstetrics and gynecology,鈥?Jaszek said.

WPI student Mikalya Prue, Class of 2025, partnered with Nellie Rushton, Stanford University Class of 2027, on the project titled 鈥淩est and Wellness: Perspectives of First Generation, Transfer, and International Students on Challenges and Institutional Efforts at WPI.鈥?The pair analyzed data from WPI students about the mission and purpose of Wellness Days. Mikayla said, 鈥淚 like that it was data about personal feelings because it made me care even more about getting others to understand the report and hopefully share the findings widely.鈥?Rushton, who is from Worcester and has been participating in summer research projects since her sophomore year at Doherty High School, is hoping to replicate this study at Stanford to better understand that community鈥檚 wellness needs.

Jon Balyeat, University of Connecticut, Class of 2027, studied how certain pharmaceutical treatments for bipolar disorder may affect pregnant or postpartum women. As a biomedical engineering major, Balyeat says he was interested in getting hands-on experience in a lab early in his college career and was encouraged to apply to the WPI summer program by his advisor at UCONN. 鈥淭his program has helped me quite a bit. I feel much more confident in forming my own thoughts and hypotheses in a research project, which will allow me to contribute much more to my lab group when I return to school.鈥?lt;/span>

Kathryn Gurski, St. Louis University Class of 2026, spent the summer in Worcester examining whether shortwave ultraviolet light could be used to disinfect the humidifier in an affordable respiratory device designed for pre-term infants in low- to middle-income countries. Gurski said she liked the opportunity to work with a startup company that has a humanitarian mission. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really important to make sure that we鈥檙e not just making solutions to fix problems, but we鈥檙e making solutions that are available for people to actually use regardless of income,鈥?Gurski said.

Tahj茅 Joseph-Bryan, WPI Class of 2026, worked on a project that seeks to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the security and performance of 5G networks. The electrical and computer engineering major used an open-source framework to simulate 5G environments and prepared for future testing of scenarios like jamming attacks on networks. Joseph-Bryan said the research project provided valuable hands-on experience. 鈥淚t's been an amazing opportunity for me. I have aspirations of entering into cybersecurity. Being part of this project serves as a foundation for me.鈥?lt;/span>

Amelia Adin, University of Florida Class of 2026, investigated bone quality at the metatarsals, bones in the foot that are subject to frequent stress injury in runners. The biomedical engineering major, minoring in biomechanics, worked on a project that analyzed the ability of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan measurements to predict metatarsal bone quality in athletes at risk for the Female Athlete Triad, a combination of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and poor bone quality. Adin said she worked closely with her WPI mentor, PhD student Julia Nicolescu, and advisor, Professor Karen Troy. 鈥淭hey've been great mentors to me. They've given me an opportunity to be in charge of the data analysis and the ideation of this research project. They鈥檝e been there to give me guidance when I need it.鈥?lt;/span>

The EREE program was made possible by a number of supporters including the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) with funding provided by Teradyne, Inc., the Women鈥檚 Impact Network (WIN), the Louis Stokes Renewal STEM Pathways and Research Alliance: Northeast LSAMP 2021-2026, WPI鈥檚 Office of Advancement, and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Their generous contributions ensure that this program remains a cornerstone of WPI鈥檚 commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators.

Game On: WPI Builds the Next Generation of Biomedical Researchers

leckelbecker — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is taking a cue from the world of recreational sports by launching a program to recruit, train, and coach undergraduates to become the next generation of biomedical researchers.

U-RISE@W蟺, which started in April 2024 and is supported by a $1,636,820 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will provide tuition and stipend funding, research opportunities, and academic and personal support to 15 students from populations underrepresented in biomedical research over five years to prepare the students for advanced studies and careers in research. The program is expected to improve the retention and graduation rates of WPI undergraduates from under-represented or disadvantaged backgrounds.

WPI researchers participating in U-RISE include, from left, Jagan Srinivasan, Carissa Olsen, Kristen Billiar, and Catherine Whittington.

鈥淟onger-term research experiences are game changers for undergraduates,鈥?said project director Kristen Billiar, John Woodman Higgins Professor of Engineering and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. 鈥淏y spending time in laboratories and working on projects over time, students make academic gains and develop confidence that they can pursue careers in research. To connect more students from diverse backgrounds to these research experiences, we are leaning on the lessons of recreational sports and teamwork by recruiting, drafting, coaching, and training undergraduates for research careers.鈥?lt;/span>

Under the program, up to 25 qualified first-year students who express interest are invited each year to participate in lunches and laboratory meetings to learn more about research and meet faculty one-on-one. They are 鈥渄rafted鈥?to small teams led by faculty members who act as 鈥渄raft-year鈥?coaches. Students formally apply to the program and a faculty laboratory at the end of their first year. Three students will be accepted each year.

Students accepted to U-RISE@W蟺 conduct research in faculty laboratories for the next three years while also completing coursework. Faculty advisors and graduate-student mentors guide each undergraduate student鈥檚 research. Separately, each U-RISE@W蟺 participant is assigned to a new 鈥渃ohort coach鈥?who helps the student develop a 鈥済ame plan鈥?for personal growth and success. The program aims to develop a fun and supportive environment, much like that of recreational sports, by coaching and mentoring students as they practice new skills, overcome losses, gain resilience and self-efficacy, and celebrate successes.

U-RISE@W蟺 is funded through the NIH鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement. The NIH initiative aims to promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce to improve research, foster innovation, increase equity at educational institutions, decrease health disparities, and boost the nation鈥檚 competitiveness in global markets.

Elizabeth Ryder

WPI鈥檚 program will capitalize on the university鈥檚 strength as a leader in project-based learning. Projects and teamwork that combine theory and practice are integrated into coursework at WPI, where all undergraduates complete an interdisciplinary project with societal impact and a senior capstone project. The Council on Undergraduate Research awarded its 2023 Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments to WPI for the university鈥檚 commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inquiry, and academic excellence.

A total of 45 faculty members in nine academic departments at WPI have agreed to participate in U-RISE@W蟺. Faculty members who will work with Billiar as assistant directors are Carissa Olsen, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Elizabeth Ryder, professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology.

鈥淚 had an opportunity to do funded research as an undergraduate, and I know how important it is for students from underrepresented populations to experience research firsthand and learn that it is possible to pursue research as a career,鈥?said Olsen.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Honored by Two Highly Esteemed Awards Celebrating Project-Based Learning

cbwamback — Wed, 29 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) stands as a beacon of hands-on, project-based learning, providing transformative educational experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. This immersive approach, which emphasizes real-world problem-solving and innovative research, has garnered WPI two prestigious awards for the 2023鈥?4 academic year: the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 2023 Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA) and the NAFSA 2024 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization. These accolades highlight WPI's dedication to fostering a culture of academic excellence and global engagement, setting a standard for higher education institutions worldwide.

WPI Receives Recognition for Advancing Inclusive Access to Global Learning Opportunities

In recognition of WPI鈥檚 commitment to immersive global experiential learning, NAFSA: Association of International Educators has selected WPI as a winner of the NAFSA 2024 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization.

This award celebrates WPI's efforts to maximize student participation in the Global Projects Program by removing financial barriers. WPI鈥檚 initiatives include the Global Scholarship. Every full-time undergraduate student at WPI receives a scholarship to support an off-campus project experience, fostering a well-rounded, globally aware education.

As Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School at WPI, notes the scholarship 鈥渉as strengthened our high-impact undergraduate educational experience by ensuring more students can participate in the Global Projects Program.鈥?amp;nbsp;

This program saw more than 1,100 students participate in the 2022-23 academic year, emphasizing tangible problem-solving in diverse global communities and preparing graduates to become global leaders.

WPI will be honored as a Spotlight recipient along with Oklahoma State University and Syracuse University during a reception on May 29 at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans, La.

WPI Earns Prestigious Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research Achievements

WPI has also received the prestigious Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 2023 Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA), underscoring the university鈥檚 commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inquiry, and academic excellence.

A leading advocate for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship, CUR acknowledges institutions that demonstrate exceptional support for undergraduate research and creative inquiry experiences. WPI鈥檚 holistic approach integrates research and design experiences throughout the entire curriculum, ensuring that students engage in meaningful research from their first year through to graduation. This commitment is reflected in the mandatory Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), Major Qualifying Project (MQP), and humanities and arts (HUA) project requirements.

According to CUR, "WPI exemplifies how investing in its faculty and students, showing passion for undergraduate research, and building a career-readiness mindset around undergraduate research provides a model for many other campuses to follow."

2023 AURA awardees also include the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John鈥檚 University, and the University of Florida. CUR will hold a virtual award celebration honoring this year鈥檚 awardees on June 11.

Beyond the Visual: WPI Students Develop Apps for the Visually Impaired

sfoskett — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Student teams from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have developed smartphone apps designed to make visiting two attractions in the city a more robust鈥攁nd independent鈥攅xperience for visually impaired people.

Working with the EcoTarium and the Worcester Art Museum, two teams of WPI computer science and data science students have created custom-tailored apps that describe artworks and outdoor science exhibits and can even guide guests from place to place during their visit.

鈥淪uch mobile apps give people the freedom to explore the world on their own terms, and at their own pace,鈥?said Rodica Neamtu, a computer science professor at WPI, who advised the two teams of seniors. All students at WPI must complete a team-based Major Qualifying Project (MQP), a professional-level research and design project, before graduating.

Simple and easy to use, the EcoTarium Explorer was designed to deepen guests鈥?connection to the exhibits. Users can navigate the science and nature museum鈥檚 outdoor spaces at its sprawling campus on the city鈥檚 east side. Brief visible or audible descriptions are available at the touch of a button.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be partnering with WPI students on their Major Qualifying Project and feel fortunate to have WPI as a local STEM resource,鈥?said Katie Chappell, director of education and exhibits at the EcoTarium. 鈥淭his project fits squarely within our mission to inspire a passion for science and nature through one-of-a-kind experiences, interactive exhibits, and accessible programming for all. Ensuring universal accessibility and equitable access for all members of our community is one of our key strategic priorities.鈥?amp;nbsp;

At the Worcester Art Museum, the custom-designed technology, called Beyond the Visual, allows users to read or hear a description of an artwork by opening the app and holding their phone close to a near-field communication tag, or NFC tag鈥攕imilar to a QR code鈥攎ounted next to selected artworks.

WPI and UMass Lowell Put New Spin on Wheelchair Training

jcain — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

For many people who require use of a powered wheelchair, current methods of training don鈥檛 provide enough time and experience practicing in common and challenging settings. For example, everyday life might require a powered wheelchair user to safely navigate a busy parking lot or a crowded grocery store. However, training in rehabilitation centers often consists of driving tasks in tightly controlled environments with few distractions or obstacles. To address deficiencies in current methods, a team of faculty and students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and the University of Massachusetts Lowell has created a virtual reality颅鈥揵ased simulator that provides effective training in safe settings.

鈥淥ur project addresses training limitations that negatively affect wheelchair users鈥?ability to choose the best wheelchair for their needs and seeks to make people feel comfortable when they start using powered wheelchairs in public spaces,鈥?says Robert Dempski, a co-principal investigator, WPI professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, a member of the Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) program, and managing director of the Intentional Design Studio (IDeaS).

Professors Yunus Telliel, Robert Dempski, and PhD student Max Chen (L-R)

The team鈥檚 project 鈥?lt;/span>WheelUp! Engaging communities in the development of a wheelchair training simulator for diverse bodies鈥?has generated a simulator with high-resolution graphics, interactive technology, and game elements. With a joystick and an immersive virtual reality headset or a computer monitor, users can practice navigating a wheelchair in challenging virtual settings, such as a dimly lit restaurant or an office crowded with furniture. People can use the simulator at home or in a physical therapist鈥檚 office. 鈥淚n the simulation, users can see feet and footrests of the virtual wheelchair from a first-person perspective. These details help bridge the virtual to the physical world,鈥?says Yuko Oda, an associate professor of art and design at UMass Lowell and a co-principal investigator. 鈥淢any of our participants are thrilled and excited about how 鈥榬eal鈥?it feels.鈥?lt;/span>

A virtual reality headset and controllers used for powered wheelchair training.

A benefit of this virtual reality-based system is the opportunity for users to make mistakes, like bumping into objects, privately and without causing injury or damage. 鈥淪kills improve with more practice and the privacy allows the person to practice these new motor skills without the added anxiety of performing in front of others,鈥?says Erika Lewis, co-principal investigator and UMass Lowell associate professor of physical therapy and kinesiology. In addition, Lewis says, the system can reduce the travel time required for a physical therapist and a wheelchair user to train in different environments.

The WheelUp! project has the additional goal of creating more awareness about the need for greater accessibility, according to co-principal investigator Yunus Do臒an Telliel, an assistant professor of anthropology in WPI鈥檚 Department of Humanities & Arts and IMGD Program. 鈥淚 call this part of our work 鈥榓dvocacy design.鈥?We want to emphasize there are public spaces that are actually inaccessible to powered-wheelchair users, and to contribute to efforts to make our society more accessible to everyone.鈥?lt;/span>

From the start of the project, the research team has gathered and incorporated input from wheelchair users about training needs, challenging real-world environments, and simulator design. 鈥淲e always want to know what users really want and we engage them as participants in the design process, ultimately enhancing user independence,鈥?amp;nbsp;says principal investigator Kelilah Wolkowicz, UMass Lowell assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

The project is a collaboration between professors, graduate students and undergraduate students from various disciplines including neuroscience, robotics, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, physical therapy, 3D printing, 3D modeling, ethics, and signal processing. At WPI, the project is being developed in the Intentional Design Studio (IDeaS). The studio, managed by the IMGD program, facilitates project collaborations between students and professionals with experience in interactive media and games, art and design, human-computer interaction, computer science, simulation design, app development, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Earns Prestigious Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research Achievements

cbwamback — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has received the prestigious Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 2023 Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA), underscoring the university鈥檚 commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inquiry, and academic excellence.

CUR is a leading advocate for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. The AURA acknowledges institutions that demonstrate exceptional support for undergraduate research and creative inquiry experiences in classrooms, teaching laboratories, and faculty-led research groups, highlighting dedication to empowering students to engage in meaningful research experiences.

Grace J. Wang, PhD, President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, expressed her delight at receiving this esteemed recognition, stating, 鈥淎t WPI, we are deeply committed to providing our students with transformative educational experiences in the classroom and beyond. This distinguished award from the Council on Undergraduate Research is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our students, faculty, and staff in pushing the frontiers of knowledge and advancing technologies through collaborative research efforts.鈥?lt;/span>

WPI Receives Prestigious Recognition for Advancing Inclusive Access to Global Learning Opportunities

jcain — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In recognition of Worcester Polytechnic Institute鈥檚 (WPI) commitment to immersive global experiential learning, NAFSA: Association of International Educators has selected WPI as winner of a NAFSA 2024 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization. Since 2002, NAFSA, the world鈥檚 largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange, has presented the awards annually to American colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to and accomplishment in campus internationalization.

NAFSA defines internationalization as the conscious effort to integrate and infuse international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the philosophy of postsecondary education. The organization has chosen to recognize WPI for its Global Projects for All Initiative. The initiative seeks to maximize the number of students who participate in WPI鈥檚 Global Projects Program, in part by removing financial barriers.

Student teams working out of WPI's Monteverde, Costa Rica Project Center

As a signature element of WPI鈥檚 project-based learning, the Global Projects Program gives students the opportunity to complete required research projects off-campus at more than 50 WPI project centers worldwide. The goal of the program is to help students become well-rounded and globally aware by working as part of a team to apply classroom knowledge and analytical thinking skills to advance solutions to real-world challenges.

The Global Projects for All Initiative was first introduced as a key element of WPI鈥檚 2015-2018 strategic plan. It has marshalled financial and human resources to significantly expand student and faculty participation in the Global Projects Program. As part of the ongoing initiative, every full-time undergraduate student at WPI receives a one-time institutional scholarship of up to $5,000 to defray some of the costs of an off-campus project experience through the Global Projects Program.

鈥淲e are proud to receive this recognition of our innovation and the progress WPI has made in addressing the cost barrier global programming can present for students,鈥?says Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School. 鈥淭he Global Projects for All Initiative has strengthened our high-impact undergraduate educational experience by ensuring more students can participate in the Global Projects Program. Our alumni report that this is an especially meaningful and valuable aspect of their WPI experience, and it prepares them well for their future careers.鈥?lt;/span>

"We are proud to receive this recognition of our innovation and the progress WPI has made in addressing the cost barrier global programming can present for students."

- Mimi Sheller, dean of The Global School

More than 1,100 WPI students participated in the Global Projects Program in the 2022-2023 academic year, including approximately 88% of third-year students. 鈥淭he program鈥檚 immersive team-based approach promotes STEM-centered education through global learning at the intersection of science, technology, and society,鈥?says Kathleen Head, director of The Global School鈥檚 Global Experience Office, which administers the Global Projects Program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 centered around tangible problem solving in local communities and cultures where students may have no prior experience. By enabling students to apply their knowledge in the world and outside of their comfort zones, WPI is empowering graduates to become global leaders.鈥?lt;/span>

The prestigious award from NAFSA is named for the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois. Simon was an advocate for international education, global dialogue, and increased participation in study abroad programs by American college students.

WPI is one of three schools to win a NAFSA 2024 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award. WPI received the award in 2003 in recognition of the Global Projects Program. This year鈥檚 winners will be honored during a reception on May 29 at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana.