Class Notes

Did you get a promotion? Get married? Receive an award? Expand your family? Write a book? Meet a personal goal? Chat with a fellow alum about the good old days? We want to hear from you and your WPI classmates do, too! Tell us your latest news and it may appear in Class Notes—it’s a great way to reconnect with your fellow alumni: classnotes@wpi.edu.

Bob Propper writes, “WPI gave me a super education. After an electrical engineering degree, I went to Yale and came out with a Master of Fine Arts degree. I was in love with science and art, so I studied both. I found that the two were very compatible. I am a graphic designer. I never thought of my career as one or the other, but an exciting life producing art and science together. One of my projects was a children’s book, Reengineering Mother Goose, the first children’s book published by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. All the illustrations were made from parts of circles.”

Jay Schnitzer, MITRE’s chief technology and medical officer, was selected as a 2023 Federal 100 honoree for “his leadership in enabling better health outcomes for patients by unlocking the vast research and treatment insights of interoperable electronic health records,” according to an announcement from FCW. At MITRE, he has helped launch mCODE, a common data standard and language for cancer care that enables access to anonymized data on the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of cancer patients. This aims to help find new insights and improve cancer treatments. The Federal 100 recognizes leaders in government, industry, and academia who are transforming government and its ability to deliver on critical missions. 

Kazem Sohraby is currently a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Utah Valley University (UVU). After graduating with an MS in electrical engineering from WPI, he went on to earn a PhD at New York University. He was recently named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The NAI Fellows Program “highlights academic inventors who have demonstrated a spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society. Election as an NAI Fellow is the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors,” according to an announcement from UVU.

Jeff Webber published his second book in his Enimnori series, Enimnori: Discovery, in September 2022. His first book, Enimnori: Arrival, published in December 2021, tells the story of “an engineer accidentally transported to a world where magic is real.” The third book of the series, Enimnori: Challenge, is scheduled for release in summer 2023; he is working on the fourth, Enimnori: Crisis.

Paul Kalenian was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage. Describing himself as a “self-taught engineer” when it comes to cars, he designed and built a ’60s Indy car in 2021 called Lulu. In the episode, he discussed his process for designing and creating the vehicle, including multiple changes to the parts used.

Roberta Shea, a global technical compliance officer at Universal Robotics, was selected for one of two 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious robotics honors. She was selected for her work over the course of her career in global robotics safety. She says, “The Engelberger Robotics Award for Application in Safety is a tremendous honor to me and to all those who have embraced and contributed to robotics safety. I remember meeting Joe Engelberger over 40 years ago and never imagined receiving this award. I view it as honoring the industry’s progress in optimizing safety and productivity. The journey has been amazing!”

Wes Wheeler retired as president of UPS Healthcare after 43 years in the industry. During his time as president (since January 2020), he oversaw the transportation of over one billion COVID-19 test kits across the country and the delivery of nearly two billion COVID-19 vaccines to more than 110 countries. Wheeler has been involved in every key functional area in pharmaceuticals, including manufacturing, drug development, supply chain logistics, marketing, and engineering.

Steve Rusckowski, a WPI trustee, has joined the supervisory board of QIAGEN, a multinational bioinformatics and diagnostics provider based in the Netherlands. He is an internationally recognized healthcare industry executive and former chairman, president, and CEO of Quest Diagnostics.

James DeCarlo was appointed to the Orlando Science Center (OSC) Board of Trustees for a three-year term. OSC is a hands-on science museum that hosts exhibits and workshops with 670,000 annual visitors. He works to ensure the center’s recognition as a trusted, financially secure resource in the community, advocating for its STEM programs. “The Orlando Science Center is a vital community asset in Central Florida, and I am honored and delighted to be joining its board. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to support the Center’s mission to inspire science learning for life among diverse audiences across Central Florida and beyond,” he says. He is a member of the global law firm Greenberg Traurig in its intellectual property and technology practice.

Mark Lefebvre writes, “I remain director of community engagement at Pinetree Institute (Eliot, Maine) where I help New Hampshire and Maine communities build their capacity for substance use disorders. I currently lead the Greater Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Recovery Ready Community coalition, the York County (Maine) Recovery Ready Community coalition, and the Lewiston-Auburn (Maine) Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative. I also continue to host my weekly radio show, Scurvy Dog Radio, on WSCA 106.1 FM Portsmouth Community Radio and have recently published my first book, A Place in Time: Youth, Community & Baseball, which is available at TidePool Bookshop in Worcester and on Amazon. 

Stephen Zalewski joined Inspira Enterprise, a global cybersecurity services organization, as a strategic advisor. He is the former chief information security officer at Levi Strauss & Co. and brings 40 years of enterprise and cybersecurity experience. He also serves as an advisor to a multitude of security organizations and venture capital firms.

Jim Daley is chief operating officer at Bearing, a maritime start-up in AI-powered vessel optimization and insights for maritime shipping. He has extensive experience in building and leading teams that introduce innovative and disruptive technologies. “I’m eager to continue advancing new technologies for the maritime industry alongside the very talented team at Bearing,” he says. “As new regulations are set to reshape the industry, Bearing is uniquely positioned to make ocean shipping greener and more efficient. There is a tremendous opportunity for Bearing to keep the industry moving forward with its CII compliance and fleet performance management tools enabled by proven AI modeling and our massive data sets of historical and real-time voyage operations data.”

Tom Cappelletti created the John P. Connors Memorial Fund with Joe Mitchell ’87, Mike Crowley ’87, Bob McGuirk ’87, Todd Moline ’86, and John Connors ’17 to honor Lt. j.g. John P. Connors ’87, USN, who was killed in action in Panama in 1989 as part of Seal Team 4 during Operation Just Cause. Tom writes that the money raised will be used to design, cast, and dedicate a statue to honor John in his hometown of Scituate, Mass., within the next 18 to 24 months. For more info, visit www.ameasureofaman.org.

Jeffrey Goldmeer, MS ’91, was part of a leadership training event at General Electric’s Crotonville Management Training Center in February. He is a technology director for GE, focusing on decarbonization, and was a scholar-in-residence for the summit, providing an in-depth seminar on energy transition.

Debora Jackson was named to the 2023 Worcester Business Journal Power 50, an annual list that highlights influential local leaders in various sectors, from government to industry to education. The article featured her work as dean of The Business School at WPI, including the development of the university’s technology-focused business education, the partnership between WPI and the Nigerian University of Technology and Management, and The Business School’s launch of AMP! (Advisors, Mentors, and Partners) program. 

Paul Dombrowski was recognized by the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) with its Founders Award at the annual conference this past January in Boston. Founders Awards are given to recognize long-term contributions to NEWEA, dedicated service to the water pollution control industry, and notable achievements in the environmental field.

Richard Hoey was named co-assistant manager of the city of Olympia, Wash. He oversees several of the city’s leading programs including housing and homelessness, climate issues, public defense, and economic development. He also leads the Community Planning and Development Department. He has worked for the city of Olympia for more than 10 years.

Jen Schaeffe is a senior engineering consultant at Kleinschmidt Associates, a firm that focuses on engineering, regulatory, and environmental consulting. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Jen specializes in project and technical management of civil engineering projects and has held leadership positions for large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary civil engineering projects in the environmental and nuclear sectors. She says, “I’m excited to join Kleinschmidt’s team working to deliver high-quality projects for the public benefit.”

Ted Dysart, a former WPI trustee, was named managing director of Russell Reynolds Associates, a global leadership advisory firm. His role focuses on board, CEO, and succession planning engagements for industrial, consumer, financial services, social impact organizations and family-owned enterprises, according to the company’s announcement. He has served as a guest lecturer at George Washington University, Northwestern University, and The University of Chicago. He was named in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Top 150 World’s Most Influential Headhunters in the World and Directorship Magazine’s Directorship 100, a listing of the most influential individuals in corporate governance, among other industry awards.

Derek Adams was appointed to the Board of Directors of AlloVir, an immunotherapy company. He has more than 20 years of experience in leading the manufacturing of biologic and gene therapies at all stages of development. He is CEO of Stellular Bio, a private biotechnology company pioneering a platelet-inspired cell therapy platform for regenerative medicine. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of PlateletBio.

Andrew Johansson, director of hydraulic modeling and consulting at Alden Research Laboratory, was selected as the 2022 Standards Partner of the Year. The award recognizes an individual whose “insight and participation has advanced the work of the Hydraulic Institute through their exceptional volunteer leadership,” according to the company’s announcement. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

Lori Corcoran (MS) was featured in Merrimack College’s student newspaper, The Beacon. The article discussed her work in Merrimack’s Office of Accessibility and the challenges she has faced as a result of her hearing loss. She previously worked at Quinsigamond Community College supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing students. “Everybody is behind the 8-ball when it comes to accessibility and accommodations,” she said in the story. “In higher education, it’s nice that they have offices and are able to support students with disabilities, but I think it’s also important to support staff and faculty with accommodations and take a look at everybody. Do they have more work to do when it comes to accessibility? Absolutely, but I think everybody has more work to do, it’s becoming everyone’s business versus just our (people with disabilities) business.”

Steven Gentilucci, a general manager at Consigli Construction, was quoted in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette about Working for Worcester Build Day, a volunteer community building day that takes place across 20 sites in Worcester. “As a longtime Worcester resident and an active member of the community, I know firsthand the value that this organization’s annual Build Day provides to the community and the families who call our city home,” he said in the story. “The ability to give back and help build and transform spaces for kids throughout Worcester makes what we do as builders worth it.” He is part of Working for Worcester’s Board of Advisors. 

Jose Jiminez was promoted as the national leader for Gilbane Building Company’s Life Sciences Center of Excellence. In his role at the construction management firm, he “leads a cross-functional group of professionals in the life sciences sector to provide innovative services to clients across the country,” according to the announcement. He has nearly 25 years of experience in the life sciences industry.

Eric Langlois was appointed chief revenue officer at iSpecimen, an online global marketplace that connects scientists with biospecimens for medical research. He manages a commercial team that focuses on aligning customer needs, streamlining collaboration, and supporting innovation and productivity necessary for driving company growth. He joined iSpecimen in 2016 and has held several senior sales positions. His previous work includes guiding sales operations for companies focused on pre-clinical research, such as ReproCELL, BioServe, and SeraCare Life Sciences. He says, “My career at iSpecimen has shown me the infinite impact that the company’s advanced offerings have and will have on the entire life sciences industry.”

Aswin Phlaphongphanich is co-founder and CEO of DeeMoney, a leader in Thailand’s financial technology industry. The company was featured in an article by the Bangkok Post that detailed its various accomplishments. The article noted that DeeMoney will be a “game changer” in the Thai financial system. 

Paul Liberman’s company DraftKings, an online sports betting company, was featured in an article by PlayMA.com discussing the origins and growth of the business. Co-founded by Paul and two others over a decade ago using their compiled life savings of $25,000, DraftKings now “boasts more than 1.6 million monthly users and reported as much as $25 billion in total handle for 2022,” according to the article.

Win Suteerachai was named an economic specialist to the United Thai Nations political party. He is the founder and CEO of In-Tech Steel Co., a leading auto parts and electric appliance maker in Thailand.

Michael Sangillo is program manager at Microsystems Technology Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency at the United States Department of Defense. 

Galia Traub founded the nonprofit Permatours with Scott Guzman ’09 in spring 2021. The organization “brings people together to exchange skills and knowledge through permaculture action and natural build-focused educational events that support biodiversity, personal growth, and the resilience of local communities. Embodying project-based learning, while leaning on theory and practice to build a better world, Permatours has facilitated over 30 projects—reaching and educating over 1,000 people across the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest United States,” says Galia. “Permatours’ role is to serve as a connective membrane in the global ecosystem of community groups, environmental action networks, and educators—weaving together innovators, native land stewards, healers, permaculturists, teachers, creatives, and community centers, as well as promoting a culture where people feel empowered to express themselves, learn, and grow.”

Jennifer Gallegos spoke at the SXSW EDU conference this past March. She is the director of strategic sales and communications at Yotta Energy, an energy storage company based in Austin, Texas. As a licensed professional engineer, she has held various roles in project management, sales, and marketing. She also volunteers to help get youth interested in STEM careers.

Erin Pope has joined Country Bank’s Innovation & Technology Division in Ware, Mass. She said in the company’s announcement, “I am excited to join Country Bank’s history and contribute to its continued success. I hope to support the team by increasing engagement and innovation to support the business and its customers better.” She held previous roles at Digital Credit and American Tower.    

Jason Ward was appointed project manager for Trelleborg Healthcare & Medical, a polymer solutions developer for medical, biotech, and pharmaceutical applications. He manages the company’s value-added services and facility expansion based out of the Northborough, Mass., BioPharma Center of Excellence.

Nathan Johnson, founder of Verne Bioanalytics, wrote “The Science of Cultivating Cannabis: Tips for a Thriving Grow Operation” in the Cannabis Industry Journal. The article discusses the various factors that contribute to successful cultivation of cannabis, including lighting, temperature, airflow, nutrients, and pest control. 

Michele Sinopoli (MBA) was appointed chief medical officer for Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and MetroWest Medical Center. She collaborates with hospital physician leaders and medical staff to develop and implement comprehensive clinical quality and patient safety initiatives. She was previously chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Saint Vincent Hospital. “I am honored to be given this opportunity to represent our talented and dedicated medical staff and to work closely with them to develop and implement initiatives designed to maintain the highest standards of clinical care and patient safety at our facilities,” she said. “As a practicing physician for nearly 20 years, I am passionate about ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality and compassionate care they expect and deserve.” She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Boston University.

Daniel Mbusa is a member of the UMass Chan Medical School Pipeline for Underrepresented Students in Medicine (PRISM). This program “offers clinical research and mentorship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students from Worcester-area colleges,” according to a UMass Chan Medical School news story. Mbusa coordinates studies that address blood thinner usage disparity, especially for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). He says, “We’re gathering stories from Black patients about their experiences with blood thinners, hoping they can encourage more Black patients with AFib to use blood thinners since there’s an underuse of anticoagulant in the Black community.”