What's happening?
Latest News, Announcements, Events at WPI.
WPI Listen
WPI News
Tune in for in-depth stories on cutting-edge research, student and faculty achievements, and highlights from campus life.
The WPI Podcast
Hear directly from WPI’s faculty, students, and staff as they tackle global challenges, explore cutting-edge discoveries, and create real-world impact.
LATEST WPI NEWS
- WPI’s Yan Wang Named Fellow of the National Academy of InventorsWorcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Professor Yan Wang, the William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI)—the highest professional distinction awarded exclusively to academic inventors. Wang is among 185 exceptional inventors selected for the 2025 class, which includes 169 U.S. Fellows and 16 international Fellows. Collectively, this year’s cohort holds more than 5,300 U.S. patents and includes Nobel laureates, National Medal recipients, and members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. A global leader in battery recycling and sustainable manufacturing, Wang is widely recognized for pioneering a hydrometallurgical process that recycles lithium-ion batteries at industrial scale. His innovations have produced 12 U.S. patents and have led directly to the creation of two companies, including the industry-leading Ascend Elements and AM Batteries. His work has received numerous national accolades, including the inaugural Bayh-Dole “Faces of American Innovation” award. He was also named to the NAI Class of Senior Fellows in 2022.
- WPI Shines in News Coverage
- 3D-Printed Scaffolds for New Blood VesselsYonghui 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’s 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 “ink” and light to produce tubular implantable scaffolds with grooves and channels. The textures created pathways for cells to migrate across the implant’s surfaces and line up with each other, a critical step in regenerating blood vessels to the heart. “The goal of this research is to regenerate arteries, not just replace them,” says Ding. “To 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.” The research aims to improve surgical treatment for one of the nation’s leading public health challenges—heart 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.
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Kristen Billiar Receives 2026 ASME Robert M. Nerem Education and Mentorship AwardKristen Billiar, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at WPI, has been selected to receive the 2026 ASME Robert M. Nerem Education and Mentorship Award. He was recognized for his exemplary leadership and long-standing commitment to undergraduate education, his dedication to mentoring junior colleagues and trainees, and his national advocacy for excellence in mentoring and teaching within the biomedical engineering community. Join us in celebrating this recognition on LinkedIn!
- Honoring 25 Years of Dedication at WPI Biomedical EngineeringDecember 2025, by Victoria Yakes '27 WPI thrives because of individuals who not only perform their roles with excellence but also uplift the community through their mentorship and commitment. WPI's Biomedical Engineering Department is thrilled to honor Lisa Wall and Professor George Pins, two members of the biomedical engineering community who celebrated their 25-year service anniversaries in 2025. Lisa Wall is a long-time department Lab Manager. She is recognized for her reliability, technical knowledge, and ability to keep the complex, multi-track BME labs running smoothly. She ensures the well-ordered operation of the lab’s logistics, whether it is sourcing rubber gaskets and thousands of pipettes or procuring porcine cells, students can count on Lisa to get their projects running. But that is not her only mark on the WPI community; she is also known for her compassion and generosity towards students and faculty. Others recognized these attributes too, as she received the 2017 Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Staff Member, which demonstrates her impact on WPI’s academic mission and student success. When asked to share one of her favorite memories from WPI, she recalls the Undergraduate Research Project Showcase: “It’s so fun to watch the students who have worked on their project for a year present their final product and discuss it with such confidence and professionalism. You know that they’re going to do well in their careers.” Lisa announced her retirement in January 2025. And, while the department celebrates her next chapter, her departure will be felt as she leaves behind a level of care that will be difficult to match. Her impact will continue to influence the countless students and faculty she supported throughout her career. Professor George Pins is a distinguished member of the BME faculty and is highly recognized for his contributions to biomaterial and regenerative medicine research. His work spans topics such as wound healing, skin and tendon repair, and the roles of biomaterial environments in driving tissue responses. Professor Pins is a dedicated educator who teaches a wide range of biomedical engineering courses, inspiring students to explore the interconnectedness of biology, engineering, and innovation. He is passionate about hands-on learning as he helps students develop biomaterial scaffolds and experimental platforms for their capstone design projects. Through his time at WPI, Professor Pins has not only advanced the scientific community but has also provided valuable research opportunities and resources for undergraduate and graduate students. His dedication to his craft, his willingness to guide students to their goals, and his passion for creating a culture of discovery within the department does not go unnoticed. In addition to his impact as an educator and mentor, Professor Pins has earned national recognition for his research and advising. In 2022, he was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows, an honor reserved for leaders whose work has advanced engineering and medicine. His research in tissue engineering and biomimetic scaffold design has contributed to innovations in wound healing, muscle regeneration, and cardiac repair. Professor Pins is also widely respected for his dedication to student advising, having received the WPI Board of Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Academic Advising in 2004. Students consistently cite his approachability, commitment to their success, and ability to support both academic and personal growth, qualities that have shaped the experiences of countless undergraduate and graduate students throughout his time at WPI. The WPI community extends its utmost respect and gratitude for the many hands and minds that work to provide such a valuable education. The impact of both honorees extends far beyond their titles; they have helped shape the culture, excellence, and spirit of the BME department for more to come.
- Celebrating Your Spark This Holiday Season 2025Dear WPI Community, As we close the year, I’m reminded of the spark each of you brings to WPI. Your curiosity, creativity, and care energize this community and illuminate what’s possible. Thank you for all you do to support, inspire, and strengthen this community. Wishing you bright holidays and a new year filled with light and possibility. Warmly, Grace