Curtis Abel

Curtis Abel is an Adjunct Lecturer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He holds a BS and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from Cornell University. His work focuses on fostering entrepreneurial mindset and innovation in engineering education through collaborative projects like Toys with Wings. He actively contributes to diversity initiatives to promote equity in academic and professional environments.

Education:

• BS, Carnegie Mellon University
• MBA, Cornell University
• PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Research Interests: Curtis emphasizes experiential learning models that integrate social collaboration (e.g., Vygotsky Cycle) with engineering design processes. He explores how innovative spaces and problem-solving frameworks can enhance creativity and inclusivity in education.

Grants & Advising: Mentors students like Jonathan Han and Natalia Han in interdisciplinary projects. Leads initiatives such as the Entrepreneur and Innovation Exchange (EIX) to cultivate entrepreneurial ecosystems at WPI.