The WPI Podcast

The WPI Podcast

The WPI Podcast is the university’s flagship podcast. It offers a front-row seat to anyone who’s curious about the future of technology, science, and engineering—and the leading edge of STEM education. Episodes help listeners keep up with the fast pace of changing technology through discussions with Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s experts on innovations and research in fields including life sciences, artificial intelligence, financial technology, advanced materials, and more. Thoughtful interviews with faculty, students, and staff explore what it’s like to live and study at a top-tier research university and demonstrate how our project-based experiential learning uniquely prepares students to be future-ready leaders.

Episodes

E34: Running Injuries | Karen Troy | Biomedical Engineering

April 15, 2026 • 31 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore common running injuries and the engineering research aimed at predicting or preventing them. Karen Troy, the John Woodman Higgins Professor in Engineering and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, explains her research that examines bone stress injuries and the role of biomechanics and physiology in bone health and injury. Troy’s research seeks to develop predictive tools f...
Listen
Mark as Played

E33: Career Planning for Students | Amanda Laungani | Heebner Career Development Center

April 8, 2026 • 20 mins
On this episode of The WPI Podcast, WPI’s Director of the Heebner Career Development Center, Amanda Laungani, unpacks how today’s students—and WPI alumni—can thrive in a job market transformed by AI and rapid technological change. She explains how the entry level is evolving—and how WPI equips students with the human and technical skills employers now demand. Listeners get an inside look at how WPI prepares students from day one: e...
Listen
Mark as Played

E32: K-12 Robotics Programs | Colleen Shaver | Robotics Resource Center

March 25, 2026 • 23 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore how K–12 robotics programs are igniting a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by giving students hands-on opportunities to design, build, and problem-solve in real time.  This conversation with Colleen Shaver, the director of the Robotics Resource Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, highlights how the university supports this growing pipeline—from ...
Listen
Mark as Played

E31: Aerospace Propulsion | Nikolaos Gatsonis and John Blandino | Aerospace Engineering

March 11, 2026 • 38 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we celebrate 100 years since the “Father of Modern Rocketry,” Robert Goddard (Class of 1908), conducted the first successful launch of a liquid-fueled rocket, a development that opened the door to space exploration.  Nikolaos Gatsonis, professor and head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and John Blandino, professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, explain why Goddard’s ...
Listen
Mark as Played

E30: Dean on the Scene | Dan Linzell

February 26, 2026 • 27 mins
Step inside engineering education in action with Dean on the Scene, featuring Daniel Linzell, the Bernard M. Gordon Dean of Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Instead of a traditional studio interview, this episode takes listeners on a walking tour across campus—through labs, collaborative spaces, and student project environments—offering a firsthand look at how ideas become real-world solutions. Along the way, Dean Li...
Listen
Mark as Played

E29: Engineering and Technology in Auto Racing | Phil Surgen | Class of 2004

February 9, 2026 • 40 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore NASCAR racing from an engineer’s perspective.  Phil Surgen, director of technology for Trackhouse Racing, former crew chief for NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, and a 2004 Worcester Polytechnic Institute mechanical engineering graduate, discusses the role of engineering, technology, and teamwork in competing at the highest level of stock car racing.  Surgen talks about...
Listen
Mark as Played

E28: Engineering Safer Skiing | Christopher Brown | Mechanical and Materials Engineering

February 4, 2026 • 37 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore the role of engineering in safe skiing and ski racing, and design improvements in athletic equipment that could help prevent ACL injuries, which are common in skiing and other sports.  Christopher Brown, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, director of WPI’s sports engineering laboratory, former collegiate All-American ski racer, and former collegia...
Listen
Mark as Played

E27: AI at WPI | Elke Rundensteiner and Yunus Telliel

January 22, 2026 • 33 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore the launch of Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence—why the demand for specialized AI talent is accelerating, what makes WPI’s approach distinctive, and how the program prepares students to apply AI across disciplines and industries. Featuring faculty leaders behind the degree’s design, the conversation highlights WPI’s project-based learn...
Listen
Mark as Played

E26: Money Behavior and Personal Finance | Alexander Smith—Social Science and Policy Studies | Aedan Bingham—Robotics Engineering, Economics

January 5, 2026 • 47 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore why sticking with your money goals is harder than it seems. Alexander Smith, associate professor in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, explains how personal finance is deeply influenced by behavioral economics, or the psychology of decision-making. He describes how emotions and a focus on short-term goals can make it hard to follow a long-term financial plan, and how ...
Listen
Mark as Played

E25: Holiday Marketing 101 | Purvi Shah | The Business School

December 17, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, Purvi Shah, associate professor in The Business School, explains the marketing strategies behind what you’re seeing in stores and online during the holidays. From advertising and early-season deals to nostalgia and artificial intelligence, the holidays provide a master class in marketing. Understanding it all can make you an empowered shopper with knowledge to tackle gift buying with ease. T...
Listen
Mark as Played

E24: Gift Giving Research | Farnoush Reshadi | The Business School

December 10, 2025 • 39 mins
Have you ever wondered if a gift you gave someone was something they wanted and actually would use? Have you felt the joy of receiving a gift that showed the giver really cares about and knows you? There’s a lot of emotion around gift giving and, thankfully, there’s research about it as well. In this episode of The WPI Podcast, Farnoush Reshadi, assistant professor in The Business School, discusses her research on consumer beh...
Listen
Mark as Played

E23: Engineering a Cultural Connection | Sophia Gross | Sarah Gardner | Engineers Without Borders

December 1, 2025 • 51 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore how a group of Worcester Polytechnic Institute students are making a global impact and connections with a community in Ecuador. As part of a multiple-year project, WPI’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA spent a week in May 2025 working with residents in Shungubug Grande to upgrade their aging water system and address water quality challenges.  Sophia Gross wri...
Listen
Mark as Played

E22: Athletics and Academics | Dana Harmon| WPI Athletics

November 19, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode, we sit down with WPI’s Athletic Director to explore what it really means to be a student-athlete at one of the nation’s top STEM universities. With college sports making headlines nationwide, we take a closer look at the Division III experience at WPI — where academics come first, teamwork is essential, and the lessons learned on the field connect directly to WPI’s project-based learning approach. We talk about bal...
Listen
Mark as Played

E21: Thinking with AI | Erin Solovey | Computer Science

November 5, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of The WPI Podcast, Erin Solovey, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, introduces the concept of “thinking with AI,” a vision of human-centered intelligent systems designed as collaborative partners that enhance decision-making and creativity. She also discusses her research that seeks to make technology more intuitive and responsive. Solovey’s work lies at the intersection of AI, human-co...
Listen
Mark as Played

E20: Decoding Pain | Benjamin Nephew and Emmanuel Agu | NIH IMPACT Study

October 22, 2025 • 36 mins
Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and too often leads to dependence on opioids for relief. But what if doctors could predict, before writing a prescription, whether a patient would respond better to non-drug therapies like meditation? This episode explores groundbreaking research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) that combines neuroscience, data science, and artificial intelligence to personalize pain treatment with...
Listen
Mark as Played

E19: College Connections | Em Beeler | Class of 2022

October 8, 2025 • 38 mins
Meet a WPI alum who first visited campus in middle school and keeps coming back! In this episode of The WPI Podcast, Em Beeler ’22 discusses her journey to becoming a high school math teacher in Worcester and how her story is deeply intertwined with the university. From early exposure to math and science at WPI and a career-shaping opportunity to join WPI’s Teacher Preparation Program to post-graduation experiences o...
Listen
Mark as Played

E18: Explosion Protection Engineering | Hannah Murray, explosion protection engineering PhD candidate, and Prof. Stephen Kmiotek, co-director of explosion protection engineering program

September 24, 2025 • 31 mins
WPI’s new Explosion Protection Engineering program—the first of its kind in the U.S.—is training the next generation of engineers to tackle one of today’s most urgent safety challenges: explosions. In this episode, hear from a student and faculty member about how the program, created in part by Fire Protection Engineering professor Ali Rangwala, blends disciplines and real-world problem solving to protect lives and industries.
Listen
Mark as Played

E17: Fintech, AI, and the Future of Finance | Kwamie Dunbar, Interim Dean, The WPI Business School

September 9, 2025 • 22 mins
The future of money isn’t minted, it’s coded—and every time you deposit a check on your phone or send money via an app, you’re actively using financial technology or "fintech." On this episode of The WPI Podcast, Kwamie Dunbar, Interim Dean of The WPI Business School and Professor of Finance, walks us through blockchain, cryptocurrency, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the future of finance. As the first un...
Listen
Mark as Played

E16: Rest Matters | Stacy Shaw, Assistant Professor Social Science and Policy Studies

August 27, 2025 • 35 mins
Rest is often overlooked in the race for academic achievement, but science shows it may be one of the most powerful tools for success. This podcast explores the vital role rest plays in learning, creativity, focus, and long-term well-being. We dive into the ways sleep, downtime, and intentional pauses can boost memory, sharpen problem-solving skills, and prevent burnout. Whether it’s power naps, digital detoxes, or building a healt...
Listen
Mark as Played

E15: Wildfire Research, Part Two | Nan (Nancy) Ma, Assistant Professor, and Rachel Hurley, PhD Candidate, Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering

August 13, 2025 • 41 mins
Researchers across departments at WPI are studying how wildfires start, spread, and impact communities. In this episode of The WPI Podcast, Nan (Nancy) Ma, assistant professor, and Rachel Hurley, PhD candidate, both in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, discuss their work to understand the impacts of wildfire smoke on indoor environments. Ma studies the effects of smoke exposure on children’s sle...
Listen
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Clifford Show

    The Clifford Show

    The Clifford Show with Clifford Taylor IV blends humor, culture, and behind-the-scenes sports talk with real conversations featuring athletes, creators, and personalities—spotlighting the grind, the growth, and the opportunities shaping the next generation of sports and culture.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Betrayal Season 5

    Betrayal Season 5

    Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices