Alumni Stories

Q: What was the focus of your graduate research?

A: Emissions from mobile sources, such as passenger cars and trucks, are a huge health concern in the US. My focus was to develop better control strategies in order to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions (NO_x) from heavy-duty vehicles running on diesel engines. I developed model-based control strategies for a catalytic converter that resulted in optimal performance.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect?

A: Because the research area demands an interdisciplinary background, the challenge was to understand and apply the basics of chemical kinetics and reaction engineering. Coming from an ME background all throughout, this was a challenge, initially.

Q: What was the best part about the experience?

A: I loved my entire graduate school experience at Michigan Tech. I was a lead teaching assistant and coordinator for the senior controls lab for five semesters. I had an opportunity to initiate NO_x control research in the ME-EM department and successfully co-authored more than half a million dollars of research proposals as a PhD candidate. Almost all of the credit should go to my advisor, Professor Gordon Parker, who has been a fantastic mentor and a great guide to me.

Q: What are you doing now that you’ve graduated?

A: After graduating with a PhD in early 2008, I joined the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a postdoctoral research fellow. I was transitioned into a permanent staff position in late 2009, and since then, I have been working as a research engineer, supporting many energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects.

Q: Were there any experiences at Tech that helped with your current success?

A: Many of the lessons I learned at Tech still guide me here at the laboratory. Being positive and persevering is extremely important as a research professional, and understanding the big picture when trying to solve a problem or when writing a research proposal is critical. My journey at Michigan Tech has taught me all of this to a significant extent.

Q: Did your time in graduate school change (or shape) your life, and if so, how?

A: Absolutely. I feel that I gained many additional qualifications, especially in proposal writing, while at Tech, and that surely has given me an edge over many PhD students who have graduated from other institutions—in terms of proposal-writing and project-management experience. Gaining such experience early on, while at Tech, has helped me immensely at PNNL, especially in initiating research with other organizations.

Q: What advice would you give to first-year graduate students?

A: Follow your dreams while at Tech with complete passion, dedication, and perseverance, and I bet you will achieve more than what you initially aspire to do. Make sure you have the target in mind, and keep an eye on it all the time.

Q: In brief, what was the focus of your research?

A: My research first focused on the development of an optically accessible, constant-volume combustion vessel research facility, including all subsystems for operation. I then used this facility to study spark-ignition flame kernel growth and development—and, using optical diagnostics, diesel spray and combustion characteristics under a wide range of conventional engine conditions.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect?

A: Overcoming experimental pitfalls—I learned not to give up when testing is not working or when continuous problems in experimental setup arise, etc. Getting a graduate degree is a long-term commitment, and sometimes it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Intermediate obstacles can sometimes make it seem challenging to continue.

Q: What was the best part about the experience?

A: Being involved in the development of a state-of-the-art combustion research facility; a laboratory with unique capabilities and infrastructure was the best part. There are only a handful of such labs operating in the world. Pursuing a graduate certificate in sustainability provided exposure to different concepts and courses, which in turn permitted me to improve my critical-thinking ability, and enabled me to gain well-rounded views in my research.

Q: Were there any experiences at Tech that helped with your current success?

A: Jeff Naber has provided me with several key opportunities and experiences, including presenting at various research conferences, and involvement with industrial sponsors in several externally funded research projects. This exposure helped me to develop strong communication and critical-thinking skills. As a result, I am now a better researcher and scholar.

Q: Did your time in graduate school change (or shape) your life, and if so, how?

It taught me a lot about perseverance—that hard work and determination will pay off. When I started graduate school, my plan was to complete a master’s degree and then find employment; however, the option to work in a state-of-the-art research laboratory with a supportive research advisor led me to continue on to receive my PhD. An advanced degree, in turn, has opened up opportunities to stay in the Houghton area, which I love, doing postdoctoral research and teaching some courses—which is very rewarding! In addition, I have become a mentor figure to fellow graduate students starting their work in the laboratory, with a chance to teach and educate fellow students in not only lab operation, but also in our particular research area of combustion.

Q: What advice would you give to first-year graduate students?

A: Do your research when picking an advisor. Find one who does research you are interested in—someone who can provide the necessary mentoring you need to succeed without conflicting ideas or expectations. A good fit between advisor and graduate student is imperative, not only for successful graduate education and research, but also for personal development and future opportunities after graduate school. Take classes that are relevant to your degree, but study what you are interested in, as well, so you can become well-rounded. Work hard to develop solid communication skills—not only through internal meetings at Michigan Tech, but also externally, by writing papers and communicating with project sponsors. It doesn’t matter how advanced or exciting your research is—if you can’t effectively communicate your work orally or in writing, you aren’t benefiting from the full potential of all your efforts.

Q: What was the focus of your graduate research?

A: Most of my research has focused on modeling, optimization, control system design, and dynamic testing of electrostatic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

Q: What was the most challenging aspect?

A: Learning and accepting the progress trend of research. As a graduate student, I was attempting to learn both technical knowledge and the process of research concurrently, so that provided a challenge on two fronts. I have learned that progress can sometimes be very dynamic. Keeping yourself motivated and keeping your mind open to all possible solutions during times of limited progress, when it seems like you’re just spinning your wheels, are skills to learn as early as you can.

Q: What was the best part about the experience?

A: The best part is definitely towards the end of the journey. While it is stressful trying to wrap up research and put everything together into the dissertation, when I look back over my graduate career—and really see all of the challenges I was able to overcome, how I have grown as a person, the knowledge I learned, and the researcher I have become—it is almost surreal. In the weeks before finishing up, I encourage every graduate student to take a minute to simply breathe, and think about their accomplishments and how they’ve grown throughout the journey. When I could see how far I had come since that first week of graduate school, I truly began to appreciate and embrace the graduate school experience.

Q: What are you doing now that you’ve graduated?

I work as a member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, performing both analytical and experimental work in a solid mechanics group.

A: Were there any experiences at Tech that helped with your current success?

A: One experience that was greatly beneficial was the opportunity to teach an undergraduate course under the mentorship of my advisor. The experience not only gave me a greater understanding of the material, but also further developed my public speaking skills.

Q: Did your time in graduate school change (or shape) your life? If so, how?

A: Oh, most definitely. I entered graduate school under the impression I was going to learn a lot of technical information. While I certainly did, I never anticipated learning so much about myself in the process. Research really requires dedication, hard work, patience and the ability to address a large, overwhelming challenge— all things that can be applied to obstacles both technical in nature, and in life.

Q: What advice would you give first-year graduate students?

A: The best advice I can give is to work hard but enjoy the journey. There will not be another experience like it in your life. When research is not panning out, it is frustrating and while it can be hard to believe, there is certainly something to learn along every step of the way.

Q: What was the focus of your graduate research?

A: I completed the design (mechanical and controls) of a fully operational, geometrically scaled version of the US Navy's ship crane with differential tagline control. Large Navy crane ships are affected by seas and also by the natural pendulum sway induced by moving the load. Reducing pendulations of the cargo while suspended by the cables of the crane can make a big impact in productivity.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect?

A: Finding time to do everything (multitasking)—writing a thesis, taking classes, and holding a TA position all at the same time.

Q: What was the best part about the experience?

A: Hands-on work—both in the laboratory and while traveling to gather real data on ship cranes—as well as experiencing a product coming to life, starting with conceptual ideas, followed by design, building a prototype, and testing. And last but not least, exposure to and working with real companies.

Q: What are you doing now that you’ve graduated?

A: After working for Cummins Inc. for five years, I have joined the Clemson University Restoration Institute as a wind turbine drivetrain test and development engineer in Charleston, South Carolina. Clemson is in the process of building a facility that will test next-generation wind turbines and drivetrains, will potentially create hundreds of jobs, and may become one of the most important sites for wind-energy research and development in South Carolina. I am very excited to be a part of this newly developed team and part of an industry that will have a huge impact—on both the local area and the environment.

Q: Were there any experiences at Tech that helped with your current success?

A: Close relationships with my professors and especially my advisor made a great impact. My advisor is still my mentor at present. Also of great value to me: teamwork, multitasking, and time-management skills, and exposure to companies through the Michigan Tech Career Fair. I was able to get two co-op experiences before graduating from Michigan Tech. Last but not least, the chance to learn, research, and work hard to reach my goals.

Q: Did your time in graduate school change (or shape) your life, and if so, how?

A: I would say YES. It made me set my career goals higher and eventually find what I would call my dream job in the field of alternative energy. Having a graduate degree played a major role in my achievement of these goals.

Q: What advice would you give to first-year graduate students?

A: Don’t be afraid to try new things, no matter how unreal they might sound. Get exposure to companies in your area(s) of research. If possible, get a co-op/internship experience.

Q: What was the focus of your research?

A: I began my graduate studies at Michigan Tech with a Fulbright Scholarship, and then continued as a PhD student supported with funding from a Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant and General Motors. My research focused on the development of a stochastic predictive combustion model for spark ignition engines over a wide range of experimental conditions. This model is applicable to engine simulation tools widely used in academic research and in industry.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect?

A: My project required me make frequent progress reports to our industry partners.

Q: What was the best part about the experience?

A: My experience at Michigan Tech helped me to greatly improve my engineering, programming, and professional communication skills.

Q: Where do you work now?

A: I am now a postgraduate intern at ESI Mindware, working at Chrysler.

Q: Were there any experiences at Tech that helped with your current success?

A: I learned to successfully meet deadlines for deliverable software development. Michigan Tech provided me with practical skills to thrive in industry. This experience has allowed me to excel during my current internship.

Q: Did your time in graduate school change (or shape) you life? If so, how?

A: My time at Michigan Tech allowed me to better understand American culture. I also learned about many other cultures represented by the diverse student body. I am so grateful that the University embraces the cultural diversity of the students that come to study at Michigan Tech from around the world.

Q: What advice would you give first-year graduate students?

A: Study hard, but also take some time to meet the students working around you. Enjoy the wonderful natural beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula.