Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts Promotes Four Women to Full Professor

Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts has announced the promotion of 12 scholars to full professor or full teaching professor. Four of those promotions were awarded to women.

Chrysanthe Demetry has been promoted to professor of mechanical engineering. Much of Demetry’s work focuses on education, teaching, and mentoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), especially as it pertains to girls and women. A faculty member since 1993, Dr. Demetry earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in ceramics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Tanja Dominko has been promoted to professor of biology and biotechnology. She studies the molecular mechanisms of cells, with a focus on restoring damaged tissues in the body. Dr. Dominko joined the faculty in 2006 after teaching at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center. Professor Dominko received a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in reproduction and obstetrics from the veterinary school at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. She earned a Ph.D. in endocrinology-reproductive physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Anita Mattson has been promoted to professor of chemistry and biochemistry. She conducts research on new methods in organic chemistry, the design of small molecules known as catalysts, and synthesis of bioactive molecules. Professor Mattson joined the faculty in 2016 after teaching chemistry at Ohio State University. Dr. Mattson earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Northern Michigan University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Carolina Ruiz has been promoted to professor of computer science. Dr. Ruiz’s research is in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data mining, and their applications to medical domains including sleep, stroke, obesity, and cancer. Professor Ruiz became a faculty member at WPI in 1997. Dr. Ruiz earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science at the University of Los Andes in Colombia. She holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Maryland, College Park.