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WPI Shines in News Coverage

cbwamback — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

3D-Printed Scaffolds for New Blood Vessels

leckelbecker — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Yonghui Ding holds a 3D-printed scaffold

The tiny opaque tube that Yonghui Ding holds up to the light in his laboratory looks like a bit of debris from a dismantled ball point pen.

Just 1 centimeter long and about 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter, the biodegradable tube is too small for the grooves and channels on its surfaces to be easily visible. Yet those microscopic textures represent an advance that Ding, an assistant professor in WPI鈥檚 Department of Biomedical Engineering, thinks may someday lead to big improvements in heart bypass surgeries.

In a new paper in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, Ding and research collaborators from Northwestern University reported that they developed a rapid 3D-printing process using biodegradable 鈥渋nk鈥?and light to produce tubular implantable scaffolds with grooves and channels. The textures created pathways for cells to migrate across the implant鈥檚 surfaces and line up with each other, a critical step in regenerating blood vessels to the heart.

鈥淭he goal of this research is to regenerate arteries, not just replace them,鈥?says Ding. 鈥淭o achieve that goal, it will be important to develop grafts that temporarily provide the structure for tissue growth and enable new cells to grow into healthy and functional blood vessels.鈥?lt;/p>

The research aims to improve surgical treatment for one of the nation鈥檚 leading public health challenges鈥攈eart disease. The leading cause of heart attacks is blockage in the vessels supplying blood to the heart. A common surgical treatment is coronary artery bypass grafting, which involves attaching a vein or synthetic tube to reroute circulation around a blockage to restore healthy blood flow to the heart.

Defying Gravity for Science

jcain — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Imagine you鈥檙e on a roller coaster at 20,000 feet in the sky, or higher, and repeatedly enduring the sensation of your stomach dropping, all while overseeing a scientific experiment.

That was the experience PhD candidate Regan Krizan had on Oct. 28 in Bordeaux, France. Krizan, a student in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, flew on a parabolic flight, sometimes known by the nickname 鈥渧omit comet,鈥?amp;nbsp;to conduct a materials science experiment in zero gravity.

Krizan experiencing zero gravity during research flight.

鈥淚 always wanted to be an astronaut growing up, and this is about as close as I can get,鈥?says Krizan. 鈥淚 am very excited that I had this opportunity so early in my research career.鈥?lt;/p>

The parabolic flight travels up and down several times on a trajectory resembling an arch, providing 22 seconds of zero gravity at the apex, creating a critical element for scientific research that can鈥檛 be achieved on Earth.

The experiment, which seeks to understand what happens when metal is melted, was conducted in an on-board electromagnetic levitator. Essentially, by sending electrical currents through copper coils to create an electromagnetic field, a metal sample can be made to levitate inside a chamber in zero gravity while the metal is heated to melt. This allowed Krizan and Gwendolyn Bracker, an assistant research professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and one of Krizan鈥檚 faculty advisors, to observe how an iron-copper alloy separates into two distinct liquids when melted, similar to how oil and water don鈥檛 mix.

鈥淲e are investigating a rare case in which the fluid flow can be visually observed due to a two-phase liquid separation in the iron-copper system,鈥?says Krizan. 鈥淢icrogravity makes isolating thermophysical properties of a liquid sample possible. These conditions can only be met on the International Space Station or on a parabolic flight.鈥?amp;nbsp;

The experiment provided Krizan and Bracker with high-speed video and temperature data that will help the researchers better understand fluid flow. The pair hopes their study will lead to improved fluid flow models that can simulate how liquids flow and solidify.

Inside the plane used for the zero-gravity flight.

鈥淭he experiments on the parabolic flight are integral to validating fluid flow models to aid in data analysis for electromagnetic levitation and applying the results to the manufacturing industry,鈥?added Krizan. For example, the models can allow for reduced trial and error and improved efficiency in making molds for casting.

鈥淯nderstanding how metallic melts behave is critical for manufacturing, casting, and additive manufacturing,鈥?says Bracker, who traveled with Krizan to France and watched from the ground as her advisee and the experiment were on the flight. 鈥淢any metallurgical processes originated in historical processing and require a greater understanding of the fundamentals to improve. By building better models we can support the development of more efficient processing and production.鈥?lt;/p>

Bracker (second from left) and Krizan (fourth from left) with research collaborators from the Institute for Frontier Materials on Earth and in Space at German Aerospace Center (DLR), Photo: M茅lissandre Lacaille for Novespace

Krizan and Bracker鈥檚 research, in conjunction with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), was one of more than a dozen experiments on board the parabolic flight, which the European Space Agency makes available to scientific researchers. Krizan is co-advised by Bracker and Robert Hyers, the George I. Alden Chair of Engineering and head of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

In addition to the feeling of weightlessness, Krizan and others on board experienced hypergravity during the climb and descent. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 that scared about how the flight would affect me going into it,鈥?adds Krizan. 鈥淚 handled the physical challenge well, and it was a great experience that is so meaningful to my research.鈥?lt;/p>

Carbon-Negative Building Material Developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute Published in Matter

cbwamback — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researchers have created a new carbon-negative building material that could transform sustainable construction. The work, published in the high-impact journal Matter, details the development of enzymatic structural material (ESM), a strong, durable, and recyclable construction material produced through a low-energy, bioinspired process.

Led by Nima Rahbar, the Ralph H. White Family Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, the research team engineered ESM by using an enzyme that helps convert carbon dioxide into solid mineral particles. These particles were then bound together and cured under mild conditions, enabling the resulting material to be molded into structural forms within hours. Unlike traditional concrete, which requires high temperatures and weeks of curing, ESM is created rapidly and with a dramatically lower environmental impact.

鈥淐oncrete is the most widely used construction material on the planet, and its production accounts for nearly 8% of global CO2 emissions,鈥?said Rahbar. 鈥淲hat our team has developed is a practical, scalable alternative that doesn鈥檛 just reduce emissions鈥攊t actually captures carbon. Producing a single cubic meter of ESM sequesters more than 6 kilograms of CO2, compared to the 330 kilograms emitted by conventional concrete.鈥?lt;/span>

ESM鈥檚 rapid curing, tunable strength, and recyclability make it especially promising for real-world applications such as roof decks, wall panels, and modular building components. Its repairability could cut long-term construction costs and drastically reduce the volume of material sent to landfills each year.

鈥淚f even a fraction of global construction shifts toward carbon-negative materials like ESM, the impact could be enormous,鈥?added Rahbar.

This innovation has potential value for industries ranging from affordable housing and climate-resilient construction to disaster relief, where lightweight, quickly produced structural materials can accelerate rebuilding efforts. Because ESM is produced with low energy and renewable biological inputs, it also aligns with global goals for carbon-neutral infrastructure and circular manufacturing.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Builds on Three Decades of Cybersecurity Leadership with New Degree Tackling Global Skills Gap

cbwamback — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has launched a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program to prepare students to design, analyze, and secure modern computing systems across industries. The new degree builds upon WPI鈥檚 nationally recognized strengths in computer science (CS), electrical and computer engineering (ECE), and cybersecurity research. Its unique integration of CS and ECE prepares students to understand and secure systems from the hardware circuits to the software that runs on them.

Designated by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research, WPI has been contributing to this vital field for nearly three decades, conducting cutting-edge research and training professionals who have shaped secure computing. Today, WPI continues to advance cybersecurity research and education in hardware and software security, cryptography, analysis of security policies and protocols, network and embedded systems security, and online privacy.

鈥淲ith cyber threats evolving faster than most organizations can respond and targeting both software and hardware vulnerabilities, preparing a workforce of creative, ethical, and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals is essential,鈥?said Grace Wang, President of WPI. 鈥淭hrough this new degree, WPI continues to strengthen its leadership in cybersecurity education and research鈥攁dvancing our mission to use science, engineering, and technology for the greater good.鈥?amp;nbsp;

According to a report cited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, there were more than 514,000 open cybersecurity positions in the U.S. in 2023, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 35% job growth in the field鈥攎uch faster than the national average. Globally today鈥檚 cybersecurity talent shortage is estimated at more than four million professionals.

鈥淭he shortage of security experts is not merely an issue of headcount; it鈥檚 a critical mismatch in skills,鈥?said Craig Shue, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science. 鈥淥rganizations report significant gaps in the expertise needed to manage increasingly sophisticated threats, leaving businesses, governments, and institutions more vulnerable to data breaches, financial fraud, and other cyberattacks. This is detail-oriented work where security experts have to get everything right to successfully protect people.鈥?lt;/span>

Feeling at Home at WPI

mlumsden — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Brittany Frederick became WPI鈥檚 new director of multicultural education and community engagement last winter, just as many colleges and universities were eliminating their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Her appointment reflects WPI鈥檚 ongoing commitment to fostering a kind and caring community.

Frederick holds a PhD in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she focused on the intersection of race and gender in higher education through U.S. history. That context and perspective help Frederick take the long view when approaching her work with WPI鈥檚 Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME). As a self-described nerd who loves gaming and watching Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, she says she feels right at home at WPI. Keep reading to learn more about the Bronx, N.Y., native.

Q: What drew you to this ODIME director position at WPI?

A: It started while I was working on my PhD. I was always looking for educational opportunities outside of the classroom, which led me to take a graduate assistantship in the Office of Inclusion and Engagement at UMass Amherst. And I realized I really liked this type of work. It鈥檚 student affairs work, but outside of residential life, which is where I鈥檇 worked all through my undergraduate and graduate career.

When I went to Penn State to complete my postdoctoral fellowship, there was an opening in the Fox Graduate School doing similar diversity-related work with students. I took that job but knew I could make more of an impact at a mid-size institution like WPI than I could at a huge school like Penn State. I wanted to be a person with a face. I wanted to lead and to make change. And once I understood more about WPI, I realized it would be a really good fit for me because you can be your own quirky person here.

Q: Now that you鈥檝e been here for a while, what are you most excited about in your role?

A: ODIME is in an interesting place. It鈥檚 a difficult place, but it鈥檚 also a big, big area of opportunity because we have to re-envision what inclusion and belonging look like moving forward. We need to continue to make sure that our students know that this office is here for them.

Q: Why is having an office like ODIME important for students?

A: At the turn of the 19th century, and with the establishment of land grant institutions, you may have gone to your math class, your agriculture class, your Latin class, and then home. But then students felt as if they needed something else, some sort of enrichment adjacent to the academic experience but still educational. This is where we see the beginning of fraternal societies鈥攁nd then social clubs more generally. What we now know as 鈥渟tudent affairs鈥?began because students and universities saw a benefit in programs that foster the growth of the whole student as a person, not just as an academic pupil.

Without the work that student affairs does outside of the classroom, students do not thrive in the classroom. If students don鈥檛 have ways to express themselves, to process the things that they鈥檙e going through, to make friends and build community, they cannot succeed in the classroom.

At first I thought I would not fit in at a STEM school like WPI. But I am not here to help anyone solve a math equation. Students come to me to talk about their study habits. They come to me about fitting in and making friends, about identity issues and who they are. These are all things that I can help with. And once students can address those concerns that they have outside of the classroom, they can thrive in the classroom.

WPI Researcher Receives $542,500 Award to Identify What Makes Lyme Disease Tick

leckelbecker — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Jeffrey Bourgeois works in his laboratory.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher Jeffrey Bourgeois has been awarded a $542,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to identify genetic factors that influence inflammation in humans who have been infected with the tick-borne bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

The goal is to enable better prediction, prevention, and treatment of Lyme disease, which can lead to serious inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, and long-term illness.

鈥淪ome patients have mild inflammatory responses to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, while others suffer severe symptoms, even well after treatment,鈥?said Bourgeois, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not clear why patients have such different experiences. We need a better understanding of how small differences in human genes across individuals may be driving inflammation.鈥?lt;/span>

Over three years, Bourgeois will build a library of human blood samples and develop a laboratory process to screen macrophages, a type of white blood cell, for genes that have been activated after exposure to B. burgdorferi. He will identify small changes in the DNA code within genes that are associated with the immune system鈥檚 response to infection, including disruptions in immune 鈥渕emory鈥?that leave some patients struggling with persistent symptoms. In addition, he will examine associations between differences in DNA sequences in blood samples collected from patients with longer-term symptoms.

The grant is part of a military initiative to accelerate research that could lead to advances in preventing and treating Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases in military members, veterans, their families, and the public.

Lyme disease was first identified in 1975 in Lyme, Conn., by researchers investigating a cluster of children with juvenile arthritis. An estimated 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease every year in the United States, and most cases occur in the Northeast and Midwest.

Mending Broken Hearts

leckelbecker — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Among the many things that can make the heart pound鈥攁 new love, a scary movie, a vigorous workout鈥攁n irregular heartbeat known as ventricular tachycardia is particularly dangerous.

Errant electrical signals make the heart race, sometimes too fast to pump blood. Patients may faint, and prolonged arrhythmias can even cause death. All too often, ablation procedures that aim to scar small sections of heart tissue contributing to the arrhythmia simply fail to work.

WPI researcher Shijie Zhou is working to change that by using large sets of data from noninvasive clinical tests, computational methods, and artificial intelligence (AI) to reconstruct cardiac events such as arrhythmias in digital models. His goal is to make ablation procedures safer and more accurate. With funding from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Zhou is developing technologies that can precisely map electrical circuits in the heart, pinpoint problem spots, and identify the best sites for treatment.

鈥淚t is very challenging to treat ventricular tachycardia,鈥?says Zhou, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. 鈥淎fter ablation, ventricular tachycardia recurs about 30% to 70% of the time. However, with algorithms and data gathered from many patients, we can build tools that will enable clinicians to work toward better outcomes for patients.鈥?lt;/p>

Ventricular tachycardia originates in the lower chambers, or ventricles, of the heart and is often caused by heart disease. Treatments include drugs such as beta-blockers, implanted pacemakers, catheter ablation, and radiation. A minimally invasive procedure, catheter ablation involves inserting a long flexible tube into a blood vessel, guiding a probe to a specific spot in the heart, and then using radiofrequency energy or extreme cold to scar the tissue and block irregular signals.

Saint-Gobain North America CEO Visits WPI, Underscoring a 140-Year Legacy of Innovation and a Shared Vision for the Future

cbwamback — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester has long been known as a hub where industry meets innovation 鈥攁nd few relationships capture that history more vividly than the ties between Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and the company now known as Saint-Gobain.

Those ties date back to the 1880s, when WPI professors Milton Prince Higgins and George Alden鈥攂oth pioneering engineers and entrepreneurs鈥攈elped establish the Norton Emery Wheel Company in Worcester. What began as a small operation grounded in materials science and mechanical ingenuity quickly grew into a global leader in abrasives, grinding technologies, and industrial materials. Norton鈥檚 close relationship with WPI sparked decades of collaboration in research, workforce development, and applied engineering.

In 1990, Saint-Gobain, one of the world鈥檚 most respected materials companies鈥攁nd one of the oldest continuously operating companies, at 360 years old鈥攁cquired Norton. The partnership between Saint-Gobain and WPI evolved alongside the region鈥檚 manufacturing sector and expanded into advanced materials, sustainability science, clean energy technologies, and next-generation workforce training.

鈥淲PI and Saint-Gobain share a deep history rooted in Worcester鈥檚 industrial heritage and in our mutual commitment to advancing materials innovation,鈥?Wang said. 鈥淭oday, that legacy is evolving into a modern collaboration that brings together our strengths in research, talent development, and sustainable manufacturing. We are proud to work alongside Saint-Gobain to prepare the workforce of the future and to help drive technological solutions that benefit our region, our industry partners, and our world.鈥?lt;/span>

Mark Rayfield, president and CEO of Saint-Gobain North America, visited WPI recently to discuss the company鈥檚 growing alignment with the university as a preferred research and talent partner. His visit included conversations with students, faculty, and university leaders about how the two institutions can work together to strengthen the workforce pipeline, expand applied research, and accelerate innovation in sustainable manufacturing.

Rayfield encouraged students to embrace ambition鈥攁nd risk.

鈥淵ou will find many, many situations throughout your career where you will be challenged,鈥?he said. 鈥淚 encourage you to have faith in yourself and your abilities鈥攜our intellect and your thinking鈥攖o take those risks going forward.鈥?lt;/span>

He also spoke candidly about the balance between long-term sustainability goals and near-term business realities. Saint-Gobain is committed to achieving net zero carbon globally by 2050, and Rayfield noted that innovation must be paired with financial and operational pragmatism.

鈥淗ow do we, as scientists or engineers, truly create business value?鈥?he asked. 鈥淭here鈥檚 that balance between aspirational goals鈥攍ike carbon neutrality and full circularity鈥攁nd the day-to-day responsibility of making sure we can operate sustainably and competitively today. You should dream big and push your company forward but always factor in business sense as well.鈥?lt;/span>

Rayfield emphasized that modern manufacturing is vastly different from outdated perceptions.

鈥淢anufacturing is not what you may envision鈥攄irty plants and manual labor,鈥?he said. 鈥淚t involves AI, Industry 4.0, robotics, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. Whether you鈥檙e making gypsum board or advanced materials, you鈥檙e solving problems involving bubble technology, water reduction, heat dynamics, automation, and supply chain. It鈥檚 incredibly sophisticated.鈥?lt;/span>

A Pipeline of Talent, Research, and Real-World Solutions

Saint-Gobain鈥檚 interest in strengthening ties with WPI is rooted in shared expertise鈥攅specially in materials science, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and engineering design. The company continues to draw heavily from WPI鈥檚 talent pipeline, and WPI alumni have played influential roles in Saint-Gobain鈥檚 research, production, and leadership.

Todd DiNoia, a WPI alum and Vice President of Innovation and Saint-Gobain North America Research and Development, offered students perspective on the company鈥檚 innovation process.

鈥淲e do a lot of research similar to what you do in the lab or on the benchtop,鈥?he said. 鈥淲e then bring it to pilot scale鈥攁ctually building pilot operations to get to that next level. From pilot scale, we get it to a full process. You have to take it from the lab and move through that entire scaling process.鈥?lt;/span>

That bench-to-pilot-to-production mindset mirrors WPI鈥檚 project-based approach to engineering education, where students gain hands-on experience translating ideas into practical, scalable solutions.

As WPI and Saint-Gobain explore new pathways for collaboration鈥攆rom joint research programs to experiential learning, like internships and Saint-Gobain's Essentials of Manufacturing engineering program, to emerging-technology workforce development鈥攖heir partnership continues a legacy that began nearly a century and a half ago. What started with two WPI professors helping to launch Norton has grown into a modern alliance aimed at solving global challenges in sustainability, manufacturing, and materials innovation.

WPI Named a Top 5 School for Study Abroad

jcain — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

While many colleges and universities offer study abroad programs, few provide international experiential learning opportunities to the extent Worcester Polytechnic Institute does. Among the nation鈥檚 leading doctoral universities, WPI has the fifth highest rate of undergraduate participation in study abroad programs.

According to the Open Doors 2025 Report on International Educational Exchange, 933 U.S. students at WPI participated in a study abroad program for credit during the 2023鈥?lt;/span>24 academic year. The report estimates that 84.8% of U.S. undergraduate students at WPI study abroad. This is the second straight year that WPI has ranked fifth in this measurement.

While the Open Doors report tallies U.S. students who study outside the country, an even larger portion of all WPI students go off campus, abroad or in the U.S., for hands-on learning: 89% of WPI鈥檚 undergraduate class of 2025 participated in the university鈥檚 Global Projects Program, which offers students opportunities for long-term immersive learning experiences at more than 50 WPI project centers on six continents.

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just study the world鈥攖hey go out and engage with it. Being recognized again as a top university for study abroad underscores WPI鈥檚 long-standing commitment to immersive, global, project-based learning,鈥?said WPI President Grace Wang. 鈥淭hrough the Global Projects Program, our students apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, collaborate with community partners, and create solutions that truly matter to the society. These experiences shape resilient, empathetic, collaborative, and globally minded leaders and innovators who are exceptionally well prepared to deal with the complexity and ambiguity in our interconnected world.鈥?lt;/span>