March 12, 2026

“College of Business students are thirsty for knowledge and driven to succeed. It’s a joy to work with individuals who want to dig into the material and really understand,” said Laura Sieders, the College’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. “Every semester I’m so grateful that I get to know all of these wonderful people and see them growing into their tremendous potential.”

Sieders, an assistant teaching professor and the Edward and Betty Robinson Faculty Fellow in Accounting, was chosen as Teacher of the Year by College of Business students. The honor came after she chose Tech — twice — first as her alma mater and then as her workplace.

In this Impact Magazine Q&A, Sieders shares the experiences that led her from the College’s Class of 1990 to its Teacher of the Year — and explains why her students have a quacking good time while preparing for in-demand careers in the rigorous but rewarding accounting profession.

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

In our latest entry, Alexandra Putwen, Director of Residence Education, discusses her department's role as "campus connectors." When residence hall students were asked about meaningful conversations, 79.44% of the 851 student respondents reported they could have a meaningful conversation with 3 or more people — fewer than 5% said they were not having meaningful conversations with anyone. Putwen shared that "you never know when one of these simple connections will result in something that changes a student's path."

To learn more about how Residence Education is building community and supporting students throughout their time in the residence halls, read the full post on the Student Affairs Newsblog.

As Heikki Lunta is still providing snow on campus, warm days and cold nights are creating challenges in our daily Husky life. But with the warmer weather of the season comes some serious challenges, including slips, trips and falls — the No. 1 cause of injuries and lost time at Michigan Tech. These incidents affect students, faculty and staff alike, disrupting academics, research and campus operations. By taking a few extra steps of caution, we can enjoy this spring warm up safely and keep our Husky community safe and strong all season long.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) would like to remind everyone:

• Slips and falls don’t just cause bruises — they can lead to sprains, fractures and extended recovery time.
• Lost time from injuries affects academics, research and campus operations.
• Prevention is easier than recovery. Small choices make a big difference!

If you do have a slip, trip or fall, please have your supervisor complete EHS’ Injury/Incident Report (instructions for reporting through the Experience portal can be found on our Incident and Injury Reporting page).

EHS Husky Tips for Staying Safe This Winter:

• Wear appropriate footwear: Snow boots may not win a fashion show, but they’ll help you avoid an unplanned performance in the “Slip, Trip and Fall” ballet.
• Slow down: Give yourself extra time to get to class or work. Rushing increases the chance of a fall.
• Use designated walkways: Stick to cleared and salted paths whenever possible. Avoid shortcuts across snowbanks.
• Stay visible: With shorter days, reflective gear or bright clothing helps drivers and cyclists see you when walking to and from campus in the dark. Consider using flashing lights and/or carrying a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Report hazards: If you notice icy spots, slippery walkways or snow-blocked walkways, call the University's Facilities Snow Hotline at 906‑483‑SNOW (7669) to report slippery conditions immediately.
• Watch for wet floors: Slippery surfaces don’t end at the doorway! Be aware of wet and slippery steps, ramps and hallways within buildings.

Although safety is a year-round Husky community effort, UP springtime requires extra awareness and precautions. By looking out for one another, Huskies can reduce injuries and keep our campus safe and healthy through the long Keweenaw spring thaw. So whether you’re heading to the office in the morning or walking to a meeting, remember: A few extra steps of caution can prevent weeks of recovery.

On Sunday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to noon, Michigan Tech IT will be performing quarterly maintenance on the Fischer mylogin system, which requires a full shutdown and restart. During this maintenance, password resets and mylogin.mtu.edu will be unavailable.

If you have any questions, we can help. Email IT or call 906-487-1111.

Are you inspired by a student who is advancing sustainability through their academic work or campus involvement? Nominate them for the fourth annual Campus Sustainability Leadership Awards!

This year's awards will recognize at least two outstanding students who have made significant contributions to sustainability initiatives through their coursework and campus engagement. Winners will be celebrated at the KYCA Arts and Music Festival on April 11.

Submit your nomination through our brief online form by March 20.

The 2026 Sustainability Film Series, coordinated by the Michigan Tech's Office of Sustainability and Resilience, will present March's film 'The Invisible Mammal' at 7 p.m. next Thursday, March 19, in Fisher Hall 138.

In 'The Invisible Mammal', filmmaker Kristin Tièche explores the crucial roles that bats play in our shared environment, and how a team of women bat scientists set out to save a North American bat species from a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome (WNS) to create a better future for both bats and humans.

Add 'The Invisible Mammal' to your Google calendar.

The Sustainability Film Series offers thought-provoking films and engaging conversation around environmental and sustainability topics. Films are screened on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in Fisher Hall 138. Refreshments are provided, and each film is followed by a facilitated discussion. The series is open to the public, and all films are free to attend.

The Human Research Protection Program will be presenting an information session on how to plan medical research projects that involve non-MTU collaborators. It will run from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

Multi-institution medical research can involve complicated IRB, FDA, and HIPAA requirements, sometimes even if the data is just de-identified images. In this Zoom presentation, Mike Reay will talk for 30 minutes about the basic issues involved, some common pitfalls to avoid, and some key best practices to follow. He will then field any questions people might have.

Join the Medical Research IRB Information Session on Zoom.

The presentation will be recorded and posted on the Human Research Protection Program website. If you would like a Google Calendar invite, email Mike Reay at mjreay@mtu.edu.

Retired MTU Math faculty Lois Suomi Young passed away this winter.  A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at Portage Lake United Church in Houghton. All are welcome to come and celebrate Lois’ life. 

Calling all Huskies! Ready to learn what it takes to launch your own idea?

Join us for our upcoming Student Entrepreneur Panel! We’re bringing together student founders for one hour of real talk on balancing the books while building eco-conscious, sustainable side-hustles.

It's going to be an amazing afternoon of sharing company visions and learning the ropes of starting your own business. You'll get to hear directly from some fantastic student speakers, including Pierce Miller and Alec Sheffer, about their journeys.

Shane Oberloier (ECE) will help emcee the discussion. We strongly encourage all students across campus to attend, ask questions, and get inspired. Free food and drinks will be provided.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 19 
• Time: 1-2 p.m.
• Location: Makerspace (MUB)

Bring your appetite and your best ideas. See you there!

Tomorrow, March 13, all instructors are invited to attend a workshop led by the Michigan Tech First-Year Writing Program: “Giving Effective Feedback.”

During this 90-minute session, participants will learn about different methods of giving feedback on student writing, hear about foundational scholarship on writing feedback, and learn strategies for more effectively responding to student writing. Anyone who teaches a writing- or communication-intensive class will find this workshop beneficial.

The workshop takes place from 12–1:30 p.m. in Rekhi G005 and will be led by Holly Hassel, director of First-Year Writing, and Jordan Dagenais, Ph.D. student and assistant director of First-Year Writing.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Bruce Pletka, Professor Emeritus, Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Tech.

The seminar will be held tomorrow, March 13, at 4 p.m. in M&M 610.

Pletka will present "The Conundrum in Creep Energies of Corundum".

From the abstract:
The energy to initiate creep deformation in metals is equivalent to the energy required for self-diffusion; this implies diffusion via dislocation climb is involved in the deformation mechanism. In corundum (aluminum oxide)the energy required for oxygen diffusion (slower of the 2 ion species) has been measured in the range of ~ 530 to 600 kJ/mol whereas the creep activation energy has been found to vary from ~400 to 800 kJ/mol. The variation in creep energy is approximately constant (~420 kJ/mol) for creep stress levels greater than ~15-20 MPa and increases to a maximum value of ~800 kJ/mol below ~15-20 MPa. One interpretation of these data is that the increase in creep activation energy with decreasing stress results from an increase in the number of climb dissociated basal dislocations that form as the applied creep stress is decreased. This view is supported by transmission electron microscopy observations of the dislocation structures formed during creep at 10 and 15 MPa along with mechanical property experiments. The energy required to recombine climb-dissociated dislocations was calculated and lay within the measured range for Al self diffusion in aluminum oxide, consistent with the fact that climb dissociation creates a stacking fault only within the cation sublattice.

Bruce Pletka graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Cleveland State University in 1970 and a master’s degree and PhD in Ceramic Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 1973 and 1975, respectively. He then spent time as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the National Institute of Standard sand Technology until the fall of 1977 when he joined the Department of Metallurgical Engineering (Materials Science & Engineering) at Michigan Technological University. At Michigan Tech, his research interests included studying the deformation of ceramic sat high temperature, slow-crack growth in a variety of ceramic materials, the deformation of nickel-base superalloys, and the processing of powdered materials. Although retiring in 2016, he continues to be active in examining issues/questions that remain unresolved from his prior research.

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

The article is titled "The role of institutional logic: a new dynamic typology for policy innovation labs."

Esti Hoss-Golan and Anat Gofen from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are also co-authors. 

National Geographic, Yahoo! News, and AOL mentioned Gregory Waite (GMES) and Michigan Tech alum Gustavo Béjar López ’25 (Ph.D. Geology) in a story about using artificial intelligence to detect dangerous volcanic mudslides known as lahars. Béjar López’s research was previously featured on Michigan Tech’s Unscripted Research Blog.

UPword quoted Tara Bal (CFRES) in a story about research exploring potential health applications for maple sap, including its possible benefits for cancer survivors and the broader implications for the maple industry in the Upper Peninsula. 

My UP Now quoted Michigan Tech student Jake Williams (medicinal chemistry) in a story about the “Walking Together – Finding Common Ground” traveling exhibit on Native American boarding schools displayed on campus.

New Mexico’s Silver City Daily Press mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the increasing population of Mexican gray wolves, referencing a 2019 MTU report on genetic issues caused by inbreeding among wolves on Isle Royale. 

The Credit Union Connection mentioned Jim Baker (VPR) in a story about the Pike Tank Entrepreneurship Event, where he delivered a keynote presentation to local CTE students.

My UP Now mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Michigan Arts & Culture Council grants awarded across the Upper Peninsula, noting that the University received $39,100 to support arts and cultural programming.

The Sun Times News of Dexter, Michigan mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about a FIRST Robotics qualifier in Chelsea, noting that some former robotics team members from the region have gone on to study STEM fields at universities including Michigan Tech.

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration featured Michigan Tech alum Mary Korpi ’76 (B.S. Chemical Engineering) in a profile about her career in the mining industry and her role as the organization’s 2026 president. 

PR Newswire and 38 additional national outlets featured Michigan Tech alum William Corbin ’82 (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) in a story recognizing his career contributions to semiconductor technology and his recognition as a Pinnacle Professional Member of The Inner Circle of Excellence. 

Calderys featured Michigan Tech alum Michelle Fields ’95 (B.S. Metallurgical Engineering) in a story recognizing her as a 2026 STEP Ahead Award honoree from the Manufacturing Institute for her leadership in the manufacturing industry.

Sports Illustrated, WZMQ 19 News, and My UP Now reported that Michigan Tech hockey players Stiven Sardarian and Jack Anderson were named to the All-CCHA First Team and Max Koskipirtti earned All-CCHA Second Team honors following the conclusion of the conference regular season.

Learn About MTU's Online Tech MBA and MEM Degrees

Michigan Tech’s Global Campus invites you to a live Third Thursday webinar next Thursday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m. ET, featuring two online graduate programs for today’s technical professionals: the Tech MBA® and Master of Engineering Management (MEM).

Two Online Degrees from the College of Business, One Big Next Step
As organizations face rapid change, they need leaders who can connect technology, strategy and execution. This session is designed for professionals who want to grow into higher-impact roles while continuing to work.

What You'll Get:

• A side-by-side look at the AACSB-accredited Tech MBA® and MEM programs
• Insights into the STEM-focused program curricula
• Guidance on admissions and next steps
• Live Q&A with faculty and enrollment advisors

Who Should Attend:
This webinar is a strong fit if you are:

• Working in STEM, engineering or operations
• Moving toward leadership or people/project management roles
• A working professional aiming to strengthen business and decision-making skills in technical environments
• A senior interested in a practical, online graduate degree that fits your schedule

Reserve your spot to learn which degree path best aligns with your goals.

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Mathematical Sciences Graduate Student Seminar with Dennis Obideyi

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences in Fisher Hall 326 today, March 12, from noon to 1 p.m. for our Graduate Student Seminar Series.

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

This week, Dennis Obideyi will present “RBF–FD Discretization with Interface Coupling for Eigenvalue Problems in Step-Index Optical Fibers”.

From the abstract:
Guided modes of step-index optical fibers can be formulated as a transverse Helmholtz eigenvalue problem with a discontinuous refractive index and transmission conditions at the core–cladding interface. Traditional body-fitted finite element discretizations represent the material interface explicitly in the mesh to accurately capture coefficient jumps and geometric curvature, which can require curved-element meshing and local refinement. We present a mesh-free radial basis function finite difference (RBF–FD) discretization based on polyharmonic splines augmented with polynomials, operating on scattered nodes without requiring interface-fitted meshing. Discrete operators are constructed independently in the core and cladding and coupled through algebraic constraints enforcing continuity of the field and its normal flux across the interface, yielding a block generalized eigenvalue problem for λ = β². The method demonstrates high-order convergence of the effective index and attains O(10⁻⁷) accuracy on refined node sets while accurately capturing modal confinement with reduced geometric complexity.

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CTL Accessible Tech Challenge Holding Working Session on Color

Join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning for an Accessible Tech Challenge Working Session on Tuesday, March 17, from 2-3 p.m. in Library 243.

The challenge is a practical, hands-on opportunity to strengthen the accessibility of your digital course materials. Each session focuses on one key skill area, explains why it matters for students, and gives you dedicated time to work on your own content and get real-time guidance from campus digital accessibility experts.

Topic for March 17: Color
Color choice directly affects readability, contrast and the ability of all students — including those with low vision or color vision deficiency — to interpret course materials. This session will cover how to choose accessible colors, avoid color-only meaning cues, and use free software tools to ensure accessibility and usability.

Register for the March 17 Working Session.

Register today to reserve your spot! Bring your laptop to work on content you’d like to improve.

Accommodation requests can be made on the registration screen, by emailing ctl@mtu.edu, or by calling 906-487-3000.

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Spring 2026 WIA Breakfast with the Provost

Save the Date: Women in the Academy (WIA) at Michigan Tech will hold our 2026 Spring Breakfast with the Provost on March 27 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). Please RSVP by Monday, March 16.

The WIA breakfast event is an opportunity to gather as a group and openly discuss issues of interest with Provost Andrew Storer. We will have some questions prepared and will also open the floor for your questions.

If you have questions that you want to ask but wish to do so anonymously, please include them in the RSVP or email them to Tara Bal at tlbal@mtu.edu or Smitha Rao at smithar@mtu.edu.

There will be a traditional breakfast with coffee, tea and orange juice, including vegetarian options. If you have any additional dietary restrictions, please share them in the RSVP so we can do our best to accommodate. 

Breakfast will start at 7:30 a.m., but our discussions with the provost will begin closer to 8 a.m.

This event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and WIA.

Event Details:

• What: 2026 Spring Breakfast with the Provost
• When: Friday, March 27, from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• Where: Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107)
• RSVP Deadline: RSVP by March 16

Coming Soon: WIA's Breakfast Social will be held on April 8! Save the date and watch for more info!

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Physics Colloquium: Grad Student Presentations

Department of Physics graduate students will be presenting their research progress at this week's Physics Colloquium:

• Shikha Rani (advised by Tiffany Lewis and Hester Schutte)
• Richard Petarius (advised by Robert Nemiroff)

This will be an in-person event. The students will give their talks at 4 p.m. today, March 12, in Fisher 139.

Event details, including the students’ presentation titles and abstracts, are available on the University Events Calendar.

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KIP and BioSci Seminar Series Speaker: Andrew Chapp

Andrew Chapp, assistant professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, will present as part of the Departments of Kinesiology and Integrated Physiology (KIP) and Biological Sciences (BioSci) Seminar Series. The seminar will take place in GLRC 202 from 2-3 p.m. today, March 12.

Chapp will present “Sex as a biological variable: Rethinking cocaine neuropharmacology”.

From the abstract:
Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a critical variable in neuropharmacology, yet its role in drug sensitivity remains incompletely understood. Our laboratory investigates how cocaine exposure alters behavior and nucleus accumbens neuroplasticity, with explicit consideration of biological sex and circulating gonadal hormones. We find robust sex differences in both cocaine-related behavior and cocaine-induced neuroplastic changes, many of which are strongly modulated by hormonal state. Incorporating sex as a biological variable reveals previously unappreciated mechanisms of cocaine action and reshapes our understanding of the neurobiological basis of stimulant addiction.

Chapp’s research program aims to understand how drugs of abuse alter neurophysiology in the brain to drive maladaptive drug-induced behavior with the goal of finding intervention strategies to reduce drug relapse. He received his Ph.D. in Biology and M.S. in Chemistry from Michigan Tech and his B.S. in Chemistry and Computer Science from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. He completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities prior to being promoted to assistant professor.

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CISR Research Discussion with Dan Shtob

Please join the Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience for the March CISR Research Discussion, where Dan Shtob of Michigan Tech's Department of Social Sciences will be presenting.

CISR Research Discussion with Dan Shtob
Friday, March 13, at Noon in the Library East Reading Room
Add the CISR Research Discussion to Your Google Calendar.

There will be snacks and good company; please join!

This event is hosted by Center for Innovation in Sustainability and Resilience, a research center in Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center research institute.

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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, March 12:

• 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.

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Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC) 2026 - Deadline Extended to March 12

Registration for this year's Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC) has been extended till 11:59 p.m. today, March 12. The GRC is a campus-wide event to showcase your research, strengthen presentation skills and engage in exciting research competition. 

March 18: Oral & Poster Presentations (in person)
March 19: GRC Awards Banquet

Presentation options: oral, poster or both.

• Oral presenters will be able to update/submit their slides by March 17
• Poster presenters are encouraged to bring their printed posters to the event or submit posters for printing no later than March 14

GRC 2026 Cash prizes:

• 1st – $600
• 2nd – $400
• 3rd – $200

Register to Present at GRC 2026. The registration deadline is today, March 12.

Event Details:

• What: GSG Graduate Research Colloquium 2026
• When/Where:
  • Oral Presentations — Wednesday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the MUB Alumni Lounge
  • Poster Presentations — Wednesday, March 18, from 5-8 p.m. in the Rozsa Lobby
  • GRC Awards Banquet — Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m. in the Rozsa Lobby

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Ecosystem Science Center Student Research Poster Forum Today

The Ecosystem Science Center's (ESC) Student Research Forum will be held today, March 12, in the Rozsa Lobby from 1-3 p.m. and is open to the public. Graduate and undergraduate students will present posters on research related to ecology and the environment. This is the 21st year of the event, which provides students an opportunity to showcase their research and practice for poster sessions at regional or national meetings. 

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MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker: Tim Shipp

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 2 p.m. today, March 12, in EERC 103.

Tim Shipp will present "Internal Combustion Engines in Transition: Design Considerations, Options, and Future Directions."

From the abstract:
This seminar discusses how uncertainty in emissions regulations and policy timelines has influenced the direction of IC engine development and what this means for engineers working on long lived products.

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

Skiing at NCAA Championship

Thursday, March 12, 12 a.m. | Bozeman, MT

Skiing at NCAA Championship Bozeman, MT

Women's Rights are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination Gallery Exhibit - Rozsa Art Galleries

Thursday, March 12, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Art Galleries, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Women’s Rights are Human Rights is a fitting title for an exhibition of women’s rights and advocacy posters, as it was a term used in the women’s rights movement and was the title of an important speech given by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. This exhibition features posters created by artsit of all genders to celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that all citizens should play in protecting and promoting human rights while challenging gender inequality and stereotypes, advancing reproductive and sexual rights, protecting women and girls against brutality, and promoting women’s empowerment and participation in society. These poster images challenge patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. These images argue for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls enabling empowerment of women and achievement of real equality between women and men that fosters societal stability and human dignity. Learn more at womensrightsarehumanrights.org Things to know ROZSA ART GALLERIES HOURS | M-F 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and…

I-9 Verification at the MUB

Thursday, March 12, 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.

ASCII Bake Sale

Thursday, March 12, 12–3 p.m. | Fisher Lobby

Come support your local computing club. These funds will allow up to buy materials for future meetings, such as Rasberry pi's, Turing tumbles, Atari's, and more. If you're interested in supporting us, please come find us in Fisher! We will have chocolate chip and sugar cookies.

Graduate Student Seminar - Dennis Obideyi

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

Please join the Department of Mathematical Sciences in Fisher Hall 326 on Thursday, March 12 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 Dennis Obideyi. Title: RBF–FD Discretization with Interface Coupling for Eigenvalue Problems in Step-Index Optical Fibers. Abstract: Guided modes of step-index optical fibers can be formulated as a transverse Helmholtz eigenvalue problem with a discontinuous refractive index and transmission conditions at the core–cladding interface. Traditional body-fitted finite element discretizations represent the material interface explicitly in the mesh to accurately capture coefficient jumps and geometric curvature, which can require curved-element meshing and local refinement. We present a mesh-free radial basis function finite difference (RBF–FD) discretization based on polyharmonic splines augmented with polynomials, operating on scattered nodes without requiring interface-fitted meshing. Discrete operators are constructed independently…

PhD Defense: Mercedes Asamani

Thursday, March 12, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 404

Environmental and Energy Policy Advisor: Kayla Gabehart People, Politics, and Power: Climate Vulnerabilities, Policy Landscapes, and Equitable Energy Access in Michigan Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/82007818081

Ecosystem Science Center Student Research Forum

Thursday, March 12, 1–3 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Atrium

For over 20 years the ESC has hosted its Student Research Forum during spring semester. The Forum is open to both graduate and undergraduate students conducting research related to ecology and the environment. Participants have the opportunity to present their research in a poster presentation providing an opportunity to showcase their research, learn what others are doing, and practice for poster sessions at regional or national meetings.

Internal Combustion Engines in Transition: Design Considerations, Options, and Future Directions

Thursday, March 12, 2 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 103

MAE Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Tim Shipp Engine Systems Team Leader Cummins Inc. Abstract The future of internal combustion (IC) engines is increasingly shaped by regulatory uncertainty, evolving emissions requirements, and a growing diversity of fuels and powertrain architectures. Rather than pointing to a single dominant solution, these forces are driving a broader set of engine opportunities and tradeoffs. This seminar discusses how uncertainty in emissions regulations and policy timelines has influenced the direction of IC engine development and what this means for engineers working on longlived products. Key considerations in engine development are reviewed, emphasizing systemlevel tradeoffs among efficiency, emissions, cost, durability, and customer use cases. An overview of conventional and emerging engine concepts, alternative fuels, and hybridized powertrain options is presented, highlighting how emissions outcomes depend strongly on operating context and system boundaries. The talk concludes with perspectives on future IC engine development areas and the role engines are likely to play within increasingly hybrid and multifuel powertrain strategies…

KIP and BioSci Seminar Series - Sex as a biological variable: Rethinking cocaine neuropharmacology

Thursday, March 12, 2–3 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), 202

Dr. Andrew Chapp, Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Abstract: Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a critical variable in neuropharmacology, yet its role in drug sensitivity remains incompletely understood. Our laboratory investigates how cocaine exposure alters behavior and nucleus accumbens neuroplasticity, with explicit consideration of biological sex and circulating gonadal hormones. We find robust sex differences in both cocaine-related behavior and cocaine-induced neuroplastic changes, many of which are strongly modulated by hormonal state. Incorporating sex as a biological variable reveals previously unappreciated mechanisms of cocaine action and reshapes our understanding of the neurobiological basis of stimulant addiction. Biography: Dr. Chapp is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. His research program aims to understand how drugs of abuse alter neurophysiology in the brain to drive maladaptive drug-induced behavior with the goal of finding intervention strategies to reduce drug relapse. He received his Ph.D. (Biology) and M.S. (Chemistry) from Michigan Tech…

Master's Defense: James Townsend

Thursday, March 12, 2–3 p.m.

Integrated Geospatial Tech Co-advisors: Qingli Dai and Donald Lafreniere Mapping Historical Neighborhoods with Geospatial Viewshed Buffers Attend Virtually: https://michigantech.zoom.us/s/7414294775

The Villages Alumni Social + Golf Scramble

Thursday, March 12, 3–6 p.m. | Evans Prarie Country Club

Michigan Tech alumni and friends are invited to join President Rick Koubek, along with volunteer hosts Michele '79 and Jim '80 Bates and Scott '74 and Betty MacInnes, for a social gathering on Thursday, March 12, from 3-6 p.m. at Evans Prairie Country Club. Enjoy a variety of complimentary appetizers as you reconnect with fellow Huskies and forge new connections. The venue is located at 1825 Evans Prairie Trl, The Villages, FL. There is no cost to attend the alumni social but please RSVP in advance to ensure we have an accurate headcount. Returning this year, we will be holding a 9-hole golf scramble prior to the social event! The tee times will begin at 1 p.m. at the Evans Prairie Golf Course. Golfers will meet at 12 p.m. at the pro shop. If you would like to participate in the golf scramble, please include that information on the RSVP form. Alumni and friends are welcome to sign up as foursomes, pairs, or individual golfers. We will work with the golf course to arrange singles and pairs into foursomes. Payment for the golf scramble will be due on the day of the event. The cost ranges from $37-$43, depending on residency. Full schedule is as follows: 12 p.m. Golfers meet at…

Physics Colloquium - Graduate Student Presentations (Rani, Petarius)

Thursday, March 12, 3:30–5:00 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Please join physics graduate students, Shikha Rani and Richard Petarius for their presentations on Thursday, March 12 at 4 PM - Fisher Hall 139. Shikha Rani (Advisor: Tiffany Lewis and Hester Schutte) FERMI-LAT ANALYSIS OF BLAZARS The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is the largest NASA gamma-ray mission currently collecting data. It launched in 2008 and has surveyed the whole sky every 3 hours since then with minimal down time. Blazars are jetted active galaxies with one jet moving relativistically along our line of sight, allowing a unique view of the base of the most powerful sustained jets in the universe. They are also the most numerous extragalactic source types in the gamma-ray regime. Blazars flare unpredictably, and characterizing flares requires multiwavelength follow up observations, which need to be coordinated. The Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) Collaboration uses volunteer Flare Advocates to perform a quick analysis on short timescales (1day) and alert the broader astronomical community to blazar flaring activity. Since GeV photons behave more like particles than waves, the LAT is built like a particle detector and the original gamma-ray direction and energy…

Huskies Swim Training - Session 3

Thursday, March 12, 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!

The Buzz: Peer Support Community

Thursday, March 12, 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.

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

Thursday, March 12, 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.

Understanding Your Financial Aid Package

Thursday, March 12, 7–8 p.m.

Financial aid can be complicated. Let us make it simpler! Our staff will break down your aid package to ensure you understand all the ways to make a Michigan Tech education affordable.