Meet the VCI Team

Len Polizzotto is recognized for his successful track record of business development for technology firms.  A centerpiece of his work has been the study, application, and teaching of innovation best practices, including “Value Factor Analysis” for maximizing the value of new products. ...

Arthur Heinricher is Interim Provost and Senior Vice President, as well as a Professor of Mathematical Sciences. Previously the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, he was responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of all aspects of the undergraduate experience at WPI, providing leadership and working with the faculty to implement new undergraduate curricular and structural changes. Together with the Dean of Students, he works to ensure an appropriate balance and synergy between academics and student life. ...

Biography of Rev. Debora Jackson, DMin, MDiv, ME, MS, BS

The Reverend Dr. Debora Jackson is a Professor of Practice in the discipline of Organizational Behavior and Change with expertise in Leadership. Dr. Jackson’s research focuses on increasing effectiveness in leadership through the integration of spiritual and reflective practices. Her research also focuses on womanist leadership and how womanism provides a leadership framework that lifts individuals, organizations, and communities.  ...

I am delighted to collaborate with students and colleagues to enhance WPI’s global impact. WPI offers a vibrant and dynamic environment that emphasizes experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, with near-peer mentorship spanning the undergraduate and graduate programs with external stakeholders. ...

Ellen Grant Piccioli is directing the engagement and expansion of WPIs Manufacturing USA multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional and multi-center collaborative programs, and the development of new initiatives in the area of manufacturing innovation and other industry research areas of interest. Prior to WPI, Ellen consulted in the MIT Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program, and previously held leadership positions at Intel Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, and Digital Equipment Corporation. ...

The overall objective of my research is to create bioengineered scaffolds to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues and organs. Specifically, my laboratory uses biomimetic design strategies and novel fabrication processes to develop three-dimensional constructs that emulate native tissue architecture and cellular microenvironments. We use these scaffolds to characterize the roles of extracellular matrix (ECM) cues and topographic features in modulating cellular functions, including adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and tissue remodeling. ...

My research activities in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are in mechanics, materials, and structures. At WPI, my favorite teaching aspect is working one-on-one with graduate and undergraduate students on research projects. I like to excite students’ curiosity toward discoveries and creative scientific advancements. In our research group, we focus on the fundamental principles that control the behavior of materials in engineering and biology at multiple scales. I am particularly interested in the bioinspired design of materials and structures. ...

Bogdan Vernescu is Professor of mathematical sciences and the Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation. ...