People
Richard F. Vaz
Associate Professor
Dean, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division
Co-Director, Bangkok and Limerick Project Centers
Faculty Listing
Office: Project Center, 2nd Floor
Phone: +1-508-831-5344
Fax: +1-508-831-5491
vaz@wpi.edu
Related Information
- Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division
- Bangkok Project Center
- Limerick, Ireland Project Center
Educational Background
- B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1979
- M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1984
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Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1987
Research & Teaching Interests
Machine vision; signal processing; communications; internationalization of technological education; technology/society studies; global project-based education
IQP Advising Interests
Air pollution; water pollution; soil pollution; natural resource management; solid waste; competition for open space; energy politics; energy policy; environmental impact statements; redevelopment of urban areas; conservation of open space planning; transportation planning; resource management; preservation of agricultural lands; effect of technology on social systems; technology & organizational behaviors; international comparisons; social cost & social change; impact of technical change on job & business; economics in developing countries; housing & urbanization; appropriate technology; assessments of college life, including WPI; consumer awareness; introducing new teaching materials; assessing educational experience; education & technological literacy
Recent Publications
Honors & Awards
- Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding EE Professor Award, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2006
- Joseph Samuel Satin Distinguished Fellow, 1991-92
- WPI Trustees Award for Outstanding Teaching, 1993
- Alpha Phi Omega Service to Students Award, 1997
- EMSEP WPI Faculty Member of the Year, 1998
- Tau Beta Pi (now WPI Trustees) Award for Outstanding Academic Advising, 1999
- Eta Kappa Nu Award for Outstanding Contributions to the ECE Department, 2000
- Sigma Phi Epsilon Faculty Appreciation Award, 2001 and 2003
- Senior Fellow, Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2004
- Winner of over 20 awards for outstanding student project advising
Years of Service at WPI
- 1983 - 1987: Instructor.
- 1987 - 1990: Visiting Assistant Professor.
- 1990 - 1994: Assistant Professor.
- 1994 - Present: Associate Professor.
- 1998 - 2006: Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division.
- 2006 - Present: Dean, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division.
Professional Societies/Memberships
- Senior Member, IEEE
- IEEE Education, International, and Social Implications of Technology Societies
- American Society for Engineering Education
- Senior Science Fellow, Association of American Colleges & Universities
- US Mobility in Asia-Pacific Advisory Board
- Eta Kappa Nu
- Sigma Xi
- Tau Beta Pi