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June 2, 2026
New CellTech Institute at WPI Expands Workforce Training in Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing
A corner laboratory in Goddard Hall is now home to one of Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) newest offerings in biotechnology workforce development. The newly launched CellTech Institute, supported by a $731,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), will provide students with hands-on experience using advanced technologies that are shaping the future of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical research. CellTech Institute was officially unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 1, 2026 attended by university and MLSC leaders, industry partners, and students. The facility is designed to equip secondary and post-secondary students with practical training incell culture, drug discovery, laboratory automation, and advanced technologies used to study biological systems. The institute’s curriculum was developed to address growing workforce needs acrossthe life sciences sector by preparing students with industry-relevant technical skills while introducing them to emerging tools such as automated laboratory workflows, artificial intelligence-driven data analysis, and modern experimental design. “Life sciences, biomedical engineering, manufacturing, and biotechnology are advancing at an extraordinary pace. As new technologies emerge and therapies become increasingly sophisticated, the need for a highly skilled workforce continues to grow.” said WPI President Grace Wang. “At WPI, we provide highly immersive, experiential education and industry-connected research experiences that prepare students to lead in these rapidly evolving sectors.” “The future of the life sciences industry will be shaped by a highly skilled workforce with experience in the cutting-edge equipment that is driving scientific breakthroughs today,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Tayor, MD. “CellTech Institute provides students with valuable hands-on training and direct access to emerging technologies that will help them succeed in a rapidly evolving industry while addressing the growing demand for talent across the Commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem. We are proud to support WPI’s efforts in preparing the next generation of industry leaders.” CellTech Institute is directed by Robert Dempski, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who sees the facility as a unique intersection of education, research, and workforce preparation. “It’s a fascinating opportunity to advance workforce development while also supporting education and research,” said Dempski. “The technology in this facility is beyond the leading edge. Integrating life sciences with robotics and automation creates exciting opportunities to accelerate innovation and ultimately advance medicine.” Fellow graduate student Vida Gandahm was equally impressed by the facility and its capabilities. “Wow—with a capital W,” Gandahm said. “I’ve worked in several research labs, and CellTech Institute is incredibly advanced. Anyone working in biotechnology or biomedical research would immediately recognize the sophistication of the equipment and technologies available here.” Among the first students to train in the new laboratory are participants in the NIIMBL eXperience program, an all-expenses-paid summer immersion program that introduces community college and undergraduate students to careers in biomanufacturing and the biopharmaceutical industry. WPI is serving as the Northeast regional host site for this year's program, welcoming a cohort of 15 students from across the country. The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) selected WPI in part because of the university’s unique emphasis on robotics and automation within a biomanufacturing environment. “Each NIIMBL site has a different focus,” said Megan Argoe of NIIMBL. “Some programs concentrate on areas like big data, but here at WPI students are learning about robotics in industrial and biomanufacturing settings. None of our other sites is currently doing that. Being able to incorporate the latest approaches being adopted across the industry makes this a particularly exciting experience for students.” By combining advanced laboratory technologies with hands-on, industry-focused learning, CellTech Institute positions WPI at the forefront of biotechnology workforce development while helping prepare the next generation of researchers, technicians, and innovators for careers in one of the nation's fastest-growing sectors.
May 27, 2026
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Appoints Lisa Barton ’87 and John Marczewski ’85 P’23 to Board of Trustees
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced today the election of two new members to its Board of Trustees: Lisa Barton ’87 and John Marczewski ’85, P’23, both distinguished alumni whose careers reflect decades of leadership in complex organizations. Barton and Marczewski will begin their five-year terms on the board on July 1, 2026. “As W.P.I. continues to advance its mission as a global leader in immersive STEM education and research, John and Lisa bring invaluable perspective shaped by technical expertise, executive leadership, and deep industry engagement,” said William Fitzgerald ’83, chair of the W.P.I. Board of Trustees. “Their insight and experience will strengthen the board’s work and support WPI’s continued strategic growth and impact.” Stephen Rusckowski ’79, chair of the nominations and governance committee, added, “Both John and Lisa exemplify the spirit of WPI’s alumni—innovative, service-oriented, and committed to using technology and leadership to address complex challenges. We are honored to welcome them to the board.” Lisa Barton ’87, H ’26, is president and chief executive officer of Alliant Energy Corporation, where she leads enterprise strategy, organizational performance, and long-term growth for a publicly traded company serving customers across the Midwest. She also serves as CEO of Alliant’s two operating subsidiaries. Barton joined Alliant Energy in 2023 after more than 15 years at American Electric Power, where she most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing large-scale operations and guiding complex organizational initiatives. With more than three decades of leadership experience, Barton is widely recognized for her ability to lead high-performing teams, navigate complex regulatory and stakeholder environments, and drive innovation and cultural alignment within large organizations. She has contributed to numerous industry organizations focused on infrastructure, technology, and policy, and is a respected voice in executive leadership and governance. Barton delivered WPI’s 2026 graduate Commencement address on May 14 and received an honorary degree, reflecting her enduring connection to and support of the university. John Marczewski ’85, P’ 23, is an accomplished executive, engineer, and entrepreneur whose career spans technical leadership, business development, and organizational growth. He is co-founder of Energy Initiatives Group (EIG), which he helped build into a nationally recognized engineering and consulting firm. In 2017, EIG was acquired by EN Engineering (later ENTRUST Solutions Group), where Marczewski served as a vice president and executive consultant, retiring in April 2026. In 2022 Marczewski also joined the board of Sanborn Head and Associates, an engineering and consulting firm based in Bedford, N.H., where he continues to serve as an outside director. Over his career, Marczewski has held leadership and technical roles spanning distribution and substation engineering, systems analysis, grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and executive management. He has led multidisciplinary teams, guided complex projects, and played a key role in scaling professional services organizations. A registered professional engineer in multiple states, he is active in his commitment to mentorship and talent development. Deeply engaged with WPI, he serves as a mentor in the i3 Lab, a member of the Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Steering Committee, and a member of the Engineering Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from WPI and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “We are honored to have John and Lisa join WPI’s esteemed Board of Trustees,” said President Grace Wang. “Their leadership experience, industry insights, and business foresights will enhance our work to ensure our graduates—and WPI—are well positioned to lead in an ever-changing world.”
May 22, 2026
New Worcester Polytechnic Institute Research Could Give Used Electric Vehicle Batteries a Second Life as Higher-Performance Materials
As demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems accelerates worldwide, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are developing a new approach to lithium-ion battery recycling that could help transform how critical battery materials are recovered, reused, and returned to the manufacturing pipeline. Supported by a $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy, the project, led by Professor Yan Wang, William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, will develop a one-step molten salt upcycling process that transforms spent nickel cathodes into high-performance material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The approach would reduce the cost, complexity, and energy demands of current battery recycling methods while increasing the value of recovered materials. “Lithium-ion batteries are essential to the future of transportation, renewable energy, and modern technology, but the rapid growth of battery use also creates an urgent need for more sustainable and economically viable recycling solutions,” said Wang. “This project focuses not just on recovering materials, but on upgrading them into higher-performance battery components that can directly support the next generation of electric vehicles.” After battery discharge, shredding. or dismantling, and separation of cathode and anode components, the team’s process converts mixed spent nickel-lean cathode materials into nickel-rich single-crystal cathodes such as NMC622, a necessary component in many of today’s lithium-ion batteries. Nickel oxide, manganese oxide, and cobalt oxide are used as source materials to upgrade blended cathode waste into advanced battery materials with improved capacity and stability compared to conventional commercial materials. Designed to work with both pure and mixed cathode waste, the process eliminates additional sorting and separation requirements. The project also addresses a growing challenge within the battery industry: the mismatch between the materials recovered from older batteries and the newer high-performance materials needed for modern electric vehicle batteries. “This work supports the development of a more circular battery economy,” Wang said. “Instead of treating spent batteries as waste, we are finding ways to convert them into materials that may perform even better than the originals. That has important implications for sustainability, manufacturing resilience, and the future competitiveness of the U.S. battery industry.” The project builds on years of pioneering battery recycling and materials research led by Wang, whose work has focused on developing more sustainable and economically viable solutions for recovering and reusing lithium-ion battery materials. Wang’s research has advanced novel approaches for direct recycling and upcycling of battery waste, helping position WPI as a leader in next-generation battery sustainability and circular manufacturing technologies.
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