Six Women Granted Tenure at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts, has announced promotions to 10 faculty members. Ten faculty members, including eight of those who were promoted in rank, have been granted tenure. Six women members of the faculty were granted tenure and four of these also received promotions in academic rank.

(L to R) Tanja Domiko, Janice Gobert, Diana Lados, Jianyu Liang, Reeta Prusty Rao, and Hong Susan Zhou

Tanja Domiko, associate professor of biology and biotechnology, was granted tenure. Her research involves techniques for regenerating tissue for therapeutic applications.

Dr. Domiko holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Ljubjlana in Slovenia. She earned a Ph.D. in endocrinology and reproductive physiology from the University of Wisconsin.

Janice Gobert, associate professor of social science and policy studies, was granted tenure. She is the co-director of the university’s graduate program in learning sciences and technologies.

Dr. Gobert is a graduate of Laurentian University in Ontario, Canada. She holds a master’s degree from McGill University in Montreal and a Ph.D. in cognitive science from the University of Toronto.

Diana Lados was promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering and granted tenure. She is the founder of the Integrative Materials Design Center at WPI and conducts research on metal fatigue.

Dr. Lados holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest. She earned a second master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from WPI.

Jianyu Liang was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering. She is director of the Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Laboratory at WPI.

Dr. Liang earned bachelor’s and master’s degree at Central South University in China. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reeta Prusty Rao was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of biology and biotechnology. Her research involves the study of fungal diseases. She has also conducted research on biofuels.

Dr. Rao is a graduate of Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India. She holds a master’s degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Pennsylvania State University Medical College.

Hong Susan Zhou was promoted to associate professor of chemical engineering. She was also granted tenure. Her research involves nanotechnology for biomedical, energy, and environmental applications.

Dr. Zhou is a graduate of Hauzhong University of Science and Technology in China. She holds a master’s degree from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and materials science from the University of California, Irvine.