Carolina Ruiz

Carolina Ruiz is the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and Harold L. Jurist Dean’s Professor of Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Maryland College Park (1996) and has been at WPI since 1997, progressing from Assistant Professor to Full Professor. Her research focuses on Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Mining applied to medicine, health, and education. Notable projects include developing AI-driven methods for sleep analysis, behavioral health interventions like the SlipBuddy app, and interdisciplinary programs in Bioinformatics and Neuroscience. She leads the Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Research Group and serves on WPI’s Academic Planning Committee. Ruiz has advised over 35 graduate students, 150 undergraduates, and 12 high school researchers, emphasizing vertical integration of research teams. She co-led a $1.2M NSF grant (2017-2021) bridging Biology and Computer Science education through transdisciplinary curricula. Key service roles include Associate Department Head of Computer Science and governance committees at WPI.

Education:

• PhD Computer Science, University of Maryland (1996)
• MS Computer Science, Universidad de Los Andes (1990)
• BS Computer Science & Mathematics, Universidad de Los Andes (1988-1989)

Ruiz’s research spans medical AI applications (stroke prediction, sleep modeling), educational technology (computational biology curricula), and wearable sensor analytics. Her work has been featured in media including Medical News Today and NSF-funded initiatives. She emphasizes translational research bridging academia and real-world societal challenges.