April 2, 2026

Hands-on, practical experiences are the hallmark of engineering education at Michigan Tech, where the College of Engineering’s Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU) program provides research opportunities to Huskies as early as their first year.

Through REU, students like chemical engineering major Samantha Cooper get to apply their classroom knowledge to help solve real-world problems, while receiving technical training and mentorship from members of Tech’s renowned faculty. 

Cooper works with Assistant Professor Maria Gencoglu (ChE), helping develop techniques to increase success in early detection of ovarian cancer in Gencoglu’s cancer tissue engineering lab.

“I wanted to see what it was like to work in a research lab because I never have before,” said Cooper. “The research we do to develop screening techniques has the chance to really help people, and there isn’t anything more interesting than that.”

Learn more about Cooper’s work with Gencoglu and the robust REU program in this year’s Michigan Tech Magazine.

Insights from Student Affairs is a monthly series providing the latest updates and information directly from Student Affairs professionals at Michigan Tech.

In our last installment for the 2025-26 academic year, Christian Montesinos, J.D., director of International Programs and Services, draws on his experience as an immigration attorney and educator to explore what it truly means to be an ally to the immigrant community — and how to avoid the pitfalls of a savior complex.

Montesinos challenges readers to move beyond surface-level support and ask themselves the harder questions: Are you acting for the benefit of those you are helping? Are you aware of your status privilege? Through real-world examples, he outlines the critical difference between an ally who stands alongside the immigrant community and a savior who assumes they know best.

Read Montesinos’ full post and learn how knowledge, humility and intentional action can make you a more effective advocate on the Student Affairs Newsblog.

The College of Engineering announces the COE Ph.D. Candidacy Incentive Awards, aimed at supporting Michigan Tech’s 100 Ph.D. initiative by encouraging Ph.D. student progress toward graduation. 

Summer 2026 tuition awards of $1,581 per student will be issued to up to 18 students who enter candidacy before fall 2026.

Student nominations must be submitted by MTU faculty, and faculty members may nominate multiple students. Nominations are due next Friday, April 10, through the nomination form.

Michigan Tech Global Campus invites you “Online Manufacturing Engineering Programs”, a live Third Thursday webinar on April 16 at 11:30 a.m. ET featuring Michigan Tech’s online graduate degrees (M.S., Ph.D.) and online certificate in manufacturing engineering.

Get a practical look at how these programs support advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, leadership and hands-on problem-solving for today’s technical environments. 

What You’ll Get:

• Details on the three online programs
• Insight on career pathways for manufacturing engineering experts
• Guidance on admissions and next steps
• Questions answered live by faculty and enrollment advisors

Who Should Attend:
This webinar is a great fit for:

• Michigan Tech students exploring graduate school
• Alumni and community members interested in advanced manufacturing
• Engineers and technical professionals looking to grow their skills
• Anyone curious about online options in a high-demand field

Register for the April 16 Webinar.

Join registered student organizations Well-Being Advocates at Michigan Tech and Sexual Assault & Violence Education (SAVE) to make tie blankets for the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter in Calumet. This event can count toward service hours for those in need. Help a cause that is larger than just campus!

The event will take place on Monday, April 6, from 5-8 p.m. in The Alley Makerspace.

Sign Up to Make Tie Blankets.

The Microfabrication Core Laboratory (previously the Microfabrication Facility) is part of the Materials Characterization and Fabrication Core Facility (MCFF). We are pleased to confirm that the facility is open and staffed, and all instruments are online and available in FOM (Facility Online Manager).

From March 30 to June 30, the MicroFab Core Laboratory is running a facility reengagement period to support our users as we strengthen operations and implement FOM.

As a key part of the reengagement period, initial instrument training — including both instrument use fees and staff time — will be covered by the Vice President for Research Office (VPR). We are also offering tours, sponsored by VPR, to anyone who would like to become acquainted with what the MicroFab has to offer.

Access Costs After Training:
Once your initial instrument training is complete, the following cost structures apply. Use rates for the MicroFab are available online.

• Trained User Operated Analysis: Instrument use fees will be covered by your principal investigator (PI).

• Staff-Operated Analysis: The total cost will include the applicable instrument use fee and staff time, both of which will be covered by your PI.

The MicroFab’s reengagement period is designed to facilitate your access to the facility’s capabilities. To initiate training, create or log into your FOM account and request access to a new resource.

Please reach out to microfabrication@mtu.edu with any questions you may have about facility access, training or the reengagement period. We look forward to seeing you utilize the MicroFab Core Laboratory.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Hyunseok Oh, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The seminar will be held tomorrow, April 3, at from 4-5 p.m. in M&M 610.

Oh will present “Alloy Design Paradigms: From Aristotle to Large Language Models”.

From the abstract:
Alloy design uniquely combines empirical insight with theoretical prediction. This synthesis has deep philosophical and historical roots, stretching from Aristotle’s purpose-driven explanations to early materials science and engineering pioneers, including Cyril Smith and Morris Cohen. This seminar explores how these intellectual traditions have shaped modern alloy design paradigms. It also introduces recent advances in the use of large language models (LLMs) as anew tool for accelerating the innovation cycle in materials research. In particular, LLMs can autonomously synthesize literature, generate novel mechanistic hypotheses, and guide help targeted research directions for CALPHAD and autonomous experiments. Together, these developments point toward a continuous innovation pipeline that may reshape the future of metals and materials science and engineering.

Prior to joining UW-Madison, Oh served as a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned both his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Seoul National University in South Korea. During his Ph.D. studies, he was also a visiting student in the Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design Department at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung in Germany.

Oh’s research seeks to understand fundamental process-structure-property relationships in metals and to use that knowledge to design advanced engineering alloys. His group combines advanced in situ characterization, theory, CALPHAD modeling and processing methods to study a wide range of alloys across multiple length scales, with particular interest in materials for extreme environments. More recently, his research has expanded to include LLM-based approaches for intuitive alloy design and hypothesis generation. He was honored with the DOE Early Career Research Award in 2023 and NSF CAREER Award in 2024.

Job Postings for Thursday, April 2, 2026

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Building Mechanic III – First Shift (12 months), Facilities Management. (​AFSCME posting dates are April 2 to April 7, 2026. External applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal ​AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal ​AFSCME posting dates.)

Central Energy Plant Operator, Facilities Management.

Pre-Award Associate, Sponsored Program Office.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment or for an interview at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

Adam Wellstead (SS) is the co-author of an article published in Public Administration and Policy.

The article is titled “Capacity for what? Elon Musk’s DOGE, public value destruction and the darkside of policy capacity”.

Wellstead co-authored the article with Michael Howlett of the Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

The Daily Mining Gazette quoted Michigan Tech student Elliot Krueger (computer engineering) in a story about Keweenawesomefest, a student-organized live music event being hosted by Tech’s student-run radio station 91.9 WMTU-FM at the Rozsa Center tomorrow, April 3.

MLive mentioned Michigan Tech’s Mind Trekkers in a story about a free STEM festival being hosted by Hemlock Public Schools on April 11. The event will feature hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to engage students and families in science and technology.

AAAA Hosting Doohickey Corporation Thingamabob Convention

Hey you! Feeling bored and wishing you had something to do? Want to make something but don’t want to deal with the long process of finding an end goal? Have spare parts lying around, including (but not limited to) that ENG1101 parts kit you’ve been holding on to, but can’t bring yourself to throw away?

Look no further than the Doohickey Corporation’s Thingamabob Convention hosted by registered student organization AAAA - Furries at Michigan Tech. The goal of this annual competition is to see who can make the best convoluted and pointless contraption!

Come on down to Wads G42W this weekend on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. with any and all of the following items to show off what you’ve made!

• Doohickeys
• Contraptions
• Mechanisms
• Thingamabobs
• Whatchamacallits
• Widgets
• Doodads
• Gizmos
• Gadgets
• And more!

Last year, contestants brought items like a pear wiggler, a model train motor and a modified video game. What will you bring this time?

Check out the submission form and rules to submit your thingamajig and/or confirm your attendance, even if you’re just stopping by.

Don’t have anything to bring? No problem! Feel free to simply check out the doodads and vote on your favorite thingamabob!

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Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium Featured Speaker: Heather Holm

Nationally known pollinator advocate, conservationist and award-winning author Heather Holm will be the featured speaker at the ninth annual Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium, being held virtually from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, April 4, on Zoom. Registration is free.

Holm’s talk begins at 10 a.m. and will explore the powerful connection between keystone plants and the insects that depend on them. She will discuss how to implement “Soft Landings,” mini-ecosystems beneath native trees that support pollinators throughout their life cycles. Participants will learn what defines a pollen specialist, discover examples of these fascinating bee-plant relationships, and understand how keystone plants function as foundational species in our ecosystems.

Holm will also speak on site preparation methods, herbicide considerations and building a resilient plant matrix of sedges, cool-season grasses and flowering keystone species. By the end of the presentation, participants will be equipped to design and install a Soft Landings planting that transforms conventional landscapes into thriving sanctuaries for bees, caterpillars and other beneficial insects.

If you have ever watched helplessly as a tree withers and dies in your landscape, be sure to attend the 9 a.m. talk by RJ Laverne, adjunct associate professor in Michigan Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. A master arborist, Laverne will guide participants on matching the right tree with the right site — and the right climate. Choosing the right tree and planting it in its happy place means you’ll have many more years together, and you’ll need to spend much less of that time on winter protection.

Aaron Anderson of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will present the symposium’s 11 a.m. talk, “Protecting Pollinators from Pesticides, Promoting Natural Enemies at Home,” focused on providing resources for natural enemies, important creatures that help keep pest insects in check. Anderson will also talk about the risk that mosquito spraying poses to pollinators and ecologically friendly mosquito management alternatives.

Learn more at the Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium webpage.

Michigan Technological University is a partner of the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA).

This free symposium is sponsored by KISMA, Keweenaw Wild Ones, Keweenaw Land Trust and Michigan State University Extension Master Gardeners.

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Still Looking to Hire Student Employees?

As the semester winds down, many departments are finalizing their needs for student staff over the summer and into fall semester. If your department has roles that need to be filled, Career Services strongly encourages you to post student staff openings on Handshake as soon as possible. From day one, Huskies are in the habit of seeking opportunities on Handshake; this is a good way to add visibility to your postings.

Handshake allows for both direct-applying through the platform as well as linking out to a different process, meaning that departments can easily maintain their own existing application systems (Google forms, fillable PDFs). 

Career Services will be running an end-of-semester reminder campaign with emphasis on local and on-campus jobs, so the timing is right for getting your postings up to date!

Learn more about how to post positions by visiting the Career Services website. Contact our office at career@mtu.edu or 906-487-2313 with further questions.

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Mathematical Sciences Graduate Student Seminar with Suwash Silwal

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences in Fisher 326 today, April 2, from 12-1 p.m. for our Graduate Student Seminar Series. 

Refreshments will be provided. Contact the math department’s graduate program assistant, Andi Schoch, via email at ajschoch@mtu.edu or in person in Fisher 318 with any questions.

This week, Suwash Silwal will present “Parameter-Expanded Data Augmentation for Analyzing Multivariate/Multiperiod  Nominal Measures with Missing Values Using Multivariate Multinomial Probit Models”.

From the abstract:
Multivariate nominal outcomes frequently arise in panel and multiperiod studies, where responses are inherently correlated and often subject to missingness. The multivariate multinomial probit (MMNP) model provides a flexible framework for capturing such dependence structures; however, Bayesian estimation is computationally challenging due to covariance identification constraints and slow mixing of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, particularly in the presence of missing data. In this paper, we develop a parameter-expanded data augmentation (PX-DA) approach for Bayesian inference in MMNP models with missing nominal outcomes under ignorable missing-data mechanisms. The proposed method relaxes restrictive identification constraints, substantially improving MCMC convergence and mixing compared to existing PX-Gibbs and PX-Metropolis–Hastings algorithms. Extensive simulation studies under missing completely at random (MCAR) and missing at random (MAR) scenarios, as well as real data applications, demonstrate that the proposed methods significantly improve the convergence and mixing of MCMC components across a range of sample sizes and missingness levels, thus enhancing the practical usage of MMNP models for multivariate discrete nominal data with missing values.

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MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker: Kyle Neal

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 2 p.m. today, April 2, in EERC 103.

Kyle Neal will present “Credibility, Uncertainty, and Validation: Assessing Simulation Quality in Real Engineering Problems”.

From the abstract:
This talk focuses on assessing simulation quality when experiments are sparse, physics are complex, and model-form knowledge gaps exist. I will begin by introducing the broader verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) landscape, then focus on Bayesian inference, model discrepancy (model-form error), and model credibility and risk-informed frameworks for communicating confidence to decision makers.

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Today's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Join Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University for the C-Cubed Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

Menu for Thursday, April 2:

• Chicken Tikka Masala (AG) (PR)
• Potato, Garbanzo and Pea Coconut Curry (VG) (AG)
• Basmati Rice (VG) (AG)
• Garam Cauliflower and Chickpea (VG) (AG) (CF)
• Garlic Naan (V) (PR)
• Kachumber Salad (VG) (AG)

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by the catering culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea and desserts are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $16 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office (MUB 101). Meals are dine-in only and personal containers/tupperware or to-go meals are not permitted.

• Submit C-Cubed Feedback
• Receive Weekly C-Cubed Menus

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

I-9 Verification at the MUB

Thursday, April 2, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Memorial Union Building; Room 101

Human Resources will be on-site at the MUB to verify I-9 documentation for new hires.

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Master's Defense: Oloruntoba Agbelusi

Thursday, April 2, 9–10 a.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 201

Chemical Engineering Advisor: Lei Pan Role of Different Gangue Minerals on Pyrrhotite Flotation Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/85461150498

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PhD Defense: Vaishali Sharma

Thursday, April 2, 9–10 a.m. | H-STEM Complex, 248

Biological Sciences Co-advisors: Caryn Heldt and Stephen Techtmann From Surfaces to Biotherapeutics: Understanding the Mechanisms of Virus Inactivation Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/81624040887

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PhD Defense: Mary Eyo Benjamin

Thursday, April 2, 10–11 a.m.

Engineering - Environmental Co-advisors: Michelle Jarvie-Eggart and Leo Ureel Navigating the Feedback Loop: Understanding the Efficacy and Equity Implications of Automated Code Critiquers in Introductory Engineering Programming. Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/88588595048?jst=3

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PhD Defense: Kaushik Kannan

Thursday, April 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Advisor: Jung Yun Bae HETEROGENEOUS MULTI-ROBOT COORDINATION IN DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTS Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/89324598515

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Graduate Student Seminar - Suwash Silwal

Thursday, April 2, 12–1 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 326

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences in Fisher Hall 326 on Thursday, April 2 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. for our Graduate Student Seminar Series. Refreshments will be provided. Contact the Math Department Graduate Program Assistant, Andi Schoch, via email (ajschoch@mtu.edu) or in person (Fisher Hall 318) with any questions. Presenting this week is Suwash Silwal. Title: Parameter-Expanded Data Augmentation for Analyzing Multivariate/Multiperiod Nominal Measures with Missing Values Using Multivariate Multinomial Probit Models Abstract: Multivariate nominal outcomes frequently arise in panel and multiperiod studies, where responses are inherently correlated and often subject to missingness. The multivariate multinomial probit (MMNP) model provides a flexible framework for capturing such dependence structures; however, Bayesian estimation is computationally challenging due to covariance identification constraints and slow mixing of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, particularly in the presence of missing data. In this paper, we develop a parameter-expanded data augmentation (PX-DA) approach for Bayesian inference in MMNP models with missing nominal outcomes…

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Practice Your Pitch (DC Trip Series)

Thursday, April 2, 1–2 p.m.

Let's practice your pitch before meeting with program officers. While impromptu conversations sometimes succeed, a well-prepared elevator speech outperforms spontaneous presentations. When meeting with program officers, be ready to concisely discuss your research idea, demonstrate your capabilities, and explain how your work aligns with their mission in a professional, compelling manner. We'll use this time to pair up and practice. Regardless of how the conversation with the program officer unfolds, always remember to offer your time as a review panel member! We'll also spend a few minutes on general updates and logistics for the trip. We have tried to find a time with the fewest conflicts for the people who have shown interest in the 2026 DC Trip. As expected, there is no time that works for everyone. If you are unable to make this session, please review the slides and recording on the DC Trip siteand reach out to rd-l@mtu.edu with any questions. Check out this Timeline for sessions, deadlines, and expectations. Next up in the timeline is: Apr 10 - 8 am - Deadline to let us know if you are attendingReserve room before the room block closes.Apr, Zoom - “Know Before You Go…

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PhD Defense: Ali Awad

Thursday, April 2, 2–3 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Computational Science and Engineering Advisor: Ashraf Saleem Bridging Image Enhancement and Object Detection in Underwater Environments: Datasets, Evaluation Frameworks, and Training Strategies

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Master's Defense: Teng Yu

Thursday, April 2, 2:30–3:30 p.m. | H-STEM Complex, 248

Biomedical Engineering Advisor: Jingfeng Jiang Automatic Segmentation Accuracy and Radiomics-Based Quantitative Reliability in High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging of Intracranial Aneurysms

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Huskies Swim Training - Session 3

Thursday, April 2, 4–5 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Huskies Swim Training is a program that provides additional attention and competitive guidance to advanced swimmers looking to focus on stroke technique and efficiency. Sessions will be designed to improve swimming through stroke drills and swimming sets focused on endurance, speed, and race strategy. Coaches will provide feedback and stroke correction in a group environment with an emphasis on promoting a love for competitive swimming and lifelong skills such as discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Come be part of the pack! Competitve swimming opportunities are now availabe to current Huskies Swim Training participants!

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The Buzz: Peer Support Community

Thursday, April 2, 5–6 p.m. | Hamar House

We invite you to join our safe and judgment-free space where students can share, listen, and support each other around substance use and recovery. You are welcome here.

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Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 (Ages 6-17 yrs) - Session 2

Thursday, April 2, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-5 are being offered at the SDC Pool.