Karen Troy Named John Woodman Higgins Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Karen Troy, biomedical engineering professor and Department Head, has been named the John Woodman Higgins Professor of Biomedical Engineering.
This professorship honors the memory of John Woodman Higgins, son of Milton Prince Higgins. The first superintendent of the Washburn Shops, Milton Prince Higgins was a foundational figure in establishing the “practice” side of WPI’s blend of theory and practice. WPI established this professorship in 1988 in gratitude for the 31 years of service that Milton P. Higgins II devoted to WPI as a member of its board of trustees. Troy is an accomplished scholar and teacher in the area of musculoskeletal biomechanics, particularly clinical applications of quantitative imaging and computational modeling. Her term as department head, which begins July 1, 2025, follows that of Kris Billiar, who has led the BME department since 2015. Troy earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999, and her PhD from the University of Iowa in 2003. She joined WPI in August 2013 as an assistant professor after starting her career at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research investigates how mechanical signals that are experienced within the skeleton during different types of physical activity lead to injury or adaptation. She is also an expert in noninvasive methods for assessing bone strength and structure. She has won several awards, including the 2024 WPI Board of Trustees Chair’s Exemplary Faculty Prize, and the 2023 Adele Boskey Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society, and has twice been awarded the Clinical Biomechanics Award from the American Society of Biomechanics. In 2024, she was inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows, one of the highest honors in medical and biological engineering, for her leadership, mentorship of diverse new scientists, and contributions to advancing clinical applications of quantitative imaging and computational modeling. “Dr. Karen Troy’s appointment to the Higgins Professorship reflects her exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing both research and academic excellence,” says John McNeill, Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering. “She inspires those around her and elevates the entire WPI community through her collaborative spirit and commitment to mentorship.”
Karen Troy, biomedical engineering professor and Department Head, has been named the John Woodman Higgins Professor of Biomedical Engineering.
This professorship honors the memory of John Woodman Higgins, son of Milton Prince Higgins. The first superintendent of the Washburn Shops, Milton Prince Higgins was a foundational figure in establishing the “practice” side of WPI’s blend of theory and practice. WPI established this professorship in 1988 in gratitude for the 31 years of service that Milton P. Higgins II devoted to WPI as a member of its board of trustees.
Troy is an accomplished scholar and teacher in the area of musculoskeletal biomechanics, particularly clinical applications of quantitative imaging and computational modeling. Her term as department head, which begins July 1, 2025, follows that of Kris Billiar, who has led the BME department since 2015.
Troy earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999, and her PhD from the University of Iowa in 2003. She joined WPI in August 2013 as an assistant professor after starting her career at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research investigates how mechanical signals that are experienced within the skeleton during different types of physical activity lead to injury or adaptation. She is also an expert in noninvasive methods for assessing bone strength and structure.
She has won several awards, including the 2024 WPI Board of Trustees Chair’s Exemplary Faculty Prize, and the 2023 Adele Boskey Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society, and has twice been awarded the Clinical Biomechanics Award from the American Society of Biomechanics. In 2024, she was inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows, one of the highest honors in medical and biological engineering, for her leadership, mentorship of diverse new scientists, and contributions to advancing clinical applications of quantitative imaging and computational modeling.
“Dr. Karen Troy’s appointment to the Higgins Professorship reflects her exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing both research and academic excellence,” says John McNeill, Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering. “She inspires those around her and elevates the entire WPI community through her collaborative spirit and commitment to mentorship.”
Latest Announcements - For Employees
- Research Facilities Open House: A Gathering Geared Toward Collaboration and GrowthWPI held an open house of its research core facilities June 26, bringing together approximately 70 individuals from 26 companies to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and chart paths for growth. The event at 50 Prescott St. aimed to showcase WPI’s specialized facilities, equipment, and expertise while providing an opportunity for attendees to connect. "The primary objective of the event was twofold," says Susanna Perkins, executive director of WPI research facilities. "We wanted to build relationships with external customers to expand the reach and impact of WPI's research core facilities. We also wanted to strengthen connections between facility directors and managers." WPI’s research core facilities offer instrumentation and expertise in materials analysis, micro- and nanofabrication, microscopy, metrology, integrated photonics, high-speed electronics testing, medical imaging, biomechanics instrumentation, and medical device testing. More information is available on the facilities website and on the searchable LabTEK database. Attendees at the open house included WPI representatives and industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from fields such as manufacturing, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing. Informal discussions cultivated meaningful connections, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and partnerships, Perkins says. One of the most significant outcomes was the enthusiasm the event generated for expanding the facilities’ customer base. "We heard positive feedback from attendees," Perkins says. "Many participants expressed excitement about incorporating WPI's services into their projects, while others highlighted the importance of events like these in fostering community and collaboration. There was interest in LabTEK, and we saw enthusiasm for future events. We are already planning follow-up events, collaborative projects, and expanded outreach to external customers."
- Learn about WPI Employee Leave of AbsenceIf you were unable to join the WPI Benefits Team for an informative session on the different types of leave available to you—including parental, medical, and family care leave. We have recorded the Zoom Session. Please click this link to watch the recording of the presentation.
- OneDrive Cleanup CompanionAs part of the Microsoft 365 Storage Management project, we have asked our community to reduce their WPI OneDrive storage; and we are working at it here in ITS as well! Find out what Mike Hamilton, Staff Council Chair and ITS Project Manager, discovered in his quest to assist the community with OneDrive cleanup. Here's what I learned along the way - and the key tips that can save you both time and storage space. OneDrive Cleanup Companion We hope you are inspired to tend to your OneDrive files by using Mike’s fabulous tips or following self-service instructions. You are also welcome to join ITS for assistance at these upcoming events, including a webinar and drop-in sessions.
- Shapeshifting Phishing Emails - SECURE IT July 2025July's focus is on PHISHING. Many of us are familiar with this topic, but bad actors and technology continue to evolve so there is always more to learn! Check out the July SECURE IT to learn how phishing emails can shapeshift. This is also known as polymorphic phishing. In this issue: From the CISTO: Separate Personal Email from WPI Email Polymorphic Phishing and Other Types of Phishing & Social Engineering Why is Higher Ed a Target? Watch Out for Summer Scams Learning with Laughter Meet KnowBe4 In the News and Featured Videos It Landed in Junk Mail for a Reason! Diversity in Cybersecurity
- OneDrive Clean Up Webinar Next WeekNext week, ITS will be hosting a OneDrive Clean Up webinar as part of the Microsoft365 Storage Management project. Come join us on Tuesday, July 22 from 10:00am - 11:00am EDT for a live tutorial and tips on how to clean up your OneDrive storage. Please register on this Microsoft Form to attend the webinar or receive the recording. Microsoft 365 Storage Resources: These resources will help you get started on managing your Outlook and OneDrive storage. Storage Management FAQs Exploring Outlook Outlook Clean Up Resources Exploring OneDrive
- Nikolaos Gatsonis Named Interim Dean of the School of EngineeringSenior Vice President and Provost Andrew Sears announced today that Nikolaos Gatsonis, professor and head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has agreed to serve as interim dean of the School of Engineering, effective immediately. He will serve until our newly appointed permanent dean, Daniel Linzell, joins us in October. Dean Linzell succeeds John McNeill, who served as dean since 2018. Professor Gatsonis brings to this role extensive academic leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and a strong record of research and educational innovation. As founding director and inaugural head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, he has led the program’s growth from a concentration within mechanical engineering to a nationally ranked department with nearly 470 students. Under his leadership, the department has expanded its undergraduate and graduate programs, enrollment, and research enterprise. Since joining WPI in 1994, Professor Gatsonis has held numerous leadership roles, including associate head of the mechanical engineering department and chair of multiple university-wide committees. He has played a key role in academic planning, faculty hiring and mentoring, and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation. His collaborative leadership and commitment to academic excellence have earned him wide respect. Professor Gatsonis received his undergraduate degree in physics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece; a master’s in atmospheric science from the University of Michigan; and both a master’s in aeronautics and astronautics and a PhD in the physics of fluid and plasmas from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of fluid and plasma dynamics, with applications to areas including spacecraft micropropulsion, spacecraft-environment interactions, plasma devices and diagnostics, nanospacecraft attitude dynamics and control, and control/estimation with unmanned vehicles. He participated in several spacecraft propulsion development programs and space missions. His research has been supported by NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation, among others. He also has a robust record of industrial collaborations through multiple Small Business Technology Transfer and Small Business Innovation Research programs. He has authored more than 125 publications and advised more than 30 graduate students, 10 postdoctoral fellows, and 60 undergraduate Major Qualifying Projects. He is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and serves as associate editor of the Aerospace Science and Technology Journal. At WPI, Professor Gatsonis has been honored with the Board of Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Scholarship and the Norton/Saint Gobain Award for integrated research and teaching and has held both the George I. Alden and John Woodman Higgins professorships. Professor Gatsonis will resume his role as department head in October when Dean Linzell arrives.