Michael J. Lalich

Dr. Michael Lalich was the first and only director of the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from its creation in 1984 until his retirement in 2014. NRRI was established by the MN Legislature in 1983 to foster economic development of MN's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner and to promote private sector employment. Prior to NRRI, Dr. Lalich spent 12 years with Foote Mineral Co as Ferrous Metallurgist and Manager of Research and Development.

In 1998, Dr. Lalich received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award from the College of Engineering of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, conveyed to alumni in recognition of outstanding careers of 20 or more years in engineering or related field. Michael was selected for his role in turning the idea of Minnesota's National Resources Research Institute into a reality. He was also recognized as a metallurgical engineer who has made significant advancements in the development of alloys for use in the cast metals industry.

Michael has served on several commissions that examine the use of natural resource development as an economic strategy. These have included the Range Readiness Strategy Team (2008), the Minnesota Governor's Commission on Mining & Minerals, and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Research Advisory Committee.

Dr. Lalich was inducted into the Academy of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Michigan Tech in 2000.

The Giving Tree