- Mike Timko Named Head of Department of Chemical EngineeringFrom WPI Dean of Engineering John McNeill: It’s my pleasure to announce that the new head of WPI’s Department of Chemical Engineering (CHE) is Mike Timko, an accomplished scholar and teacher in fundamental and applied aspects of circular economy, waste utilization, and clean energy. Professor Timko’s term as department head, which begins July 1, 2025, follows that of Sue Roberts, who has led CHE since 2015. Dr. Timko earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1998, and his MS and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2001 and 2004, respectively. He joined WPI in January 2013 as an assistant professor after working as a principal engineer at Aerodyne Research Inc. He also worked previously as a researcher at MIT and as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University. His research areas include developing sustainable chemical processes that convert waste materials—such as sewage sludge, food waste, and plastics—into renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials, while also addressing environmental contaminants like PFAS through advanced reactor engineering and clean energy technologies. Details can be found at the Energy Research Group and Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability websites. He is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers and numerous patent applications; the recipient of multiple patents; and the scientific founder of River Otter, a company formed to commercialize some of the technologies invented in his lab. Dr. Timko has won several accolades, including a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research on biofuels at the Université de Bordeaux; a National Science Foundation CAREER award; and a Doctoral New Investigator grant and R.A. Glenn Award from the American Chemical Society. For the American Institute of Chemical Engineers he served as director of the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division from 2017 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2023 as director of the Forestry and Plant Bioproducts Division, where he is now serves as the division treasurer. At WPI, in addition to serving his home department in various capacities and serving on numerous faculty and staff search committees, he has served on the university’s Committee on Graduate Studies and Research and twice has served on the Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom. John McNeill Bernard M. Gordon Dean of Engineering
- Finance & Operations Year End NewsletterTo view the Year End Newsletter, click here.
- Mike Timko Named Head of Department of Chemical EngineeringFrom WPI Dean of Engineering John McNeill: It’s my pleasure to announce that the new head of WPI’s Department of Chemical Engineering (CHE) is Mike Timko, an accomplished scholar and teacher in fundamental and applied aspects of circular economy, waste utilization, and clean energy. Professor Timko’s term as department head, which begins July 1, 2025, follows that of Sue Roberts, who has led CHE since 2015. Dr. Timko earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1998, and his MS and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2001 and 2004, respectively. He joined WPI in January 2013 as an assistant professor after working as a principal engineer at Aerodyne Research Inc. He also worked previously as a researcher at MIT and as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University. His research areas include developing sustainable chemical processes that convert waste materials—such as sewage sludge, food waste, and plastics—into renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials, while also addressing environmental contaminants like PFAS through advanced reactor engineering and clean energy technologies. Details can be found at the Energy Research Group and Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability websites. He is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers and numerous patent applications; the recipient of multiple patents; and the scientific founder of River Otter, a company formed to commercialize some of the technologies invented in his lab. Dr. Timko has won several accolades, including a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research on biofuels at the Université de Bordeaux; a National Science Foundation CAREER award; and a Doctoral New Investigator grant and R.A. Glenn Award from the American Chemical Society. For the American Institute of Chemical Engineers he served as director of the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division from 2017 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2023 as director of the Forestry and Plant Bioproducts Division, where he is now serves as the division treasurer. At WPI, in addition to serving his home department in various capacities and serving on numerous faculty and staff search committees, he has served on the university’s Committee on Graduate Studies and Research and twice has served on the Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom. John McNeill Bernard M. Gordon Dean of Engineering
- Finance & Operations Year End NewsletterTo view the Year End Newsletter, click here.
- WPI Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month 2025Honoring Culture, Contributions, and Community Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month 2025 by honoring the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and significant contributions of the Caribbean American Diaspora throughout history and today. Worcester, Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England, proudly hosts one of the largest Caribbean American communities in the region. This month, and every day, we encourage our community to learn from, celebrate with, and stand in solidarity with our Caribbean American neighbors, students, faculty, and staff. Caribbean Americans have added to our history, culture, and communities in countless ways. The unique relationship between the United States and the Caribbean has enriched both regions, and this month is a wonderful time to celebrate our shared past and future. STEM Scholar Spotlights Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne (Trinidad and Tobago) Aerospace Engineer and Rocket Scientist at NASA. She has worked on spaceflight programs including Orion and the International Space Station and is a fierce advocate for girls in STEM globally. Dr. Deborah Berebichez (Mexico with Caribbean Jewish heritage) Physicist, data scientist, and science communicator. She was the first Mexican woman to earn a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University and has Caribbean lineage through her Cuban-born grandparents. Dr. Jeanese Badenock (Jamaican heritage) Epidemiologist and public health researcher. She is known for her work on health disparities and equity in biomedical research, particularly in Caribbean American populations. Read, Watch, Listen, and Learn Explore The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCARTS) Visit Island SPACE Caribbean Museum – the only Caribbean heritage museum in the U.S. Learn more about WPI’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Discover authentic Caribbean recipes Read about the history of the Caribbean Explore The Caribbean Collaborative Action Network Explore the work of the Dean of the Global School, Mimi Sheller, PhD, a leading scholar in the field of Caribbean Studies: Island Futures Consuming the Caribbean | From Arawaks to Zombies | Democracy After Slavery: Black Publics and Peasant Radicalism in Haiti and Jamaica: Sheller Watch Caribbean-centered documentaries via PBS Caribbean Stories Enjoy local Caribbean American stories via the Worcester Public Library's Caribbean Literature Collection Explore and Learn more about WPI's Puerto Rico Project Center Listen to: Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Podcast Caribbean Science Fiction Network Podcast The Nerds with Accents Podcast Take Action and Get Involved Support WPI’s Caribbean and Hispanic Student Association (CHSA) Attend the Worcester Caribbean American Heritage Festival Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025, | Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Institute Park, Worcester, MA Featuring Caribbean food, live music, arts & crafts, and cultural performances. Support the Caribbean Science Foundation Practice intentional self-care and community care Register to vote or check your registration at vote.org Sign up to become a poll worker Did You Know? The effort to establish National Caribbean American Heritage Month began in 1999 by the Institute of Caribbean Studies. After years of advocacy and community engagement, the resolution passed the U.S. House in 2005, the Senate in 2006, and was officially proclaimed by President George W. Bush on June 5, 2006. Learn more: National Today – Caribbean American Heritage Month The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) ODIME leads and supports student-facing initiatives across WPI’s campus.
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