July 18, 2023

Michigan Tech's Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL) is one of four teams advancing to the final round of NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge. All four teams received a $400,000 award and a chance to compete for a share of the competition’s grand prizes: $1 million for the winner and $500,000 for the runner-up.

In Phase 2, Level 3 of the challenge, the PSTDL team will get the chance to prove their design for a lunar power management system to NASA engineers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

"We’re thrilled that we get to go on to Level 3 and show off what our solution can do, because I think we have something that’s very promising,” said Paul van Susante (ME-EM), PSTDL leader. “We’d love to see the technology we design eventually go to the moon, and this is a great way to show NASA that it can perform well in lunar conditions.”

Read more about the PSTDL team’s most recent accomplishment at Michigan Tech News.

Martyn (Marty) R. Smith, 78, former Michigan Tech professor, department head and dean of the Graduate School, passed away at his home in Houghton on June 27 after a long struggle with dementia.

Smith received his B.A. in mathematics from Montclair State University and his M.Phil. and Ph.D. in biostatistics from Yale University. In 1979 he joined Michigan Tech’s Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, later serving as department head and then head and interim head of those respective departments. At Tech, Smith pursued research and taught courses in statistics and biostatistics. He brought a sense of playful discovery to the classroom, getting to know his students as individuals and challenging them and himself to explore concepts in fun, unconventional ways. As department head, Smith was respected for his commitment to transparency, fairness and equity. He worked, as one colleague put it, “for the good and the better.”

In 1989, Smith accepted an appointment as professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department at Winona State University, where he became director of the Center for Applied Statistics and Process Improvement and pioneered many distance learning courses. From 1996 to 2002, he held a concurrent faculty appointment at the Mayo Clinic School of Health-Related Sciences, where he taught epidemiology and other courses to nursing students, of whom he was extremely proud.

In 2005 Smith returned to Tech, where he was appointed dean of the Graduate School, director of distance learning and summer school, and professor of biostatistics in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He especially enjoyed working with biomedical engineering and mathematics undergraduate and graduate students, serving on many senior project, master’s and Ph.D. committees up to and after his retirement in 2015.

Read Smith’s full obituary.

Job Postings for Tuesday, July 12, 2023

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.

Director of Budget and Financial Planning, Budget and Planning. Apply online.

Senior Administrative Aide, International Programs and Services (UAW posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #23174, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #23175, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Equipment Operator II (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #23176, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

Administrative Aide, Career Services (UAW posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Senior Financial Aid Manager, Financial Aid. Apply online.

Financial Aid Manager, Financial Aid. Apply online.

Detective Lieutenant, Public Safety and Police Services (POA posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal POA applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal POA posting dates). Apply online.

Production Manager, Rozsa Center for Performing Arts. Apply online.

Assistant Sponsored Programs Analyst, Sponsored Programs Office. Apply online.

Senior Office Assistant, Graduate School (UAW posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Office Assistant, Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (UAW posting dates July 18 to July 24, 2023 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

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.

Wayne Gersie (OVPDI) was mentioned by US Black Engineer Magazine in a story previewing the second annual BEYA Leading Voices Summit, being held virtually July 28. The summit will expand on the dialogue of minorities in research, with Gersie presenting as one of the event’s distinguished speakers.

*****

Sigrid Resh (CFRES/ESC) was mentioned by the Iron Mountain Daily News in a story about the Glossy Buckthorn Control Project, a research project testing hungry goats as a way of dealing with the plants at Swedetown Trails. The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette.

*****

Patrick Mikesch (ADV) was mentioned by NHL.com, the Toledo Blade (twice) and Detroit Hockey Now in stories about his hiring as the next head coach of the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL.

*****

WNMU-FM mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about legislation passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee that would fund small business enterprises in the Upper Peninsula. If passed in the Senate, it would bring $250,000 to MTU to fund a small business accelerator advanced materials and critical minerals research and jobs.

*****

The Keweenaw Report mentioned Michigan Tech cross country student-athletes Nik Thomas (materials science and engineering) and Ingrid Seagren (human biology) in coverage of the 48th Hancock Canal Run on Saturday (July 15). Thomas finished the half marathon first for the men and was quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette. Seagren was the fastest woman in the 5K and placed fifth overall. 

*****

WLUC TV6 mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about the promotion of Leigha Woelffer ’21 (B.S. Electrical Engineering) to the rank of first lieutenant in the U.S. Space Force. 

*****

Natalea Cohen ’23 (M.S. Geology) is the author of an entry in the U.S. Geological Survey’s Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles. The article discussed new satellite communication technology being tested at Yellowstone monitoring stations and their impact on real-time data collection and transmission. It was picked up by three Montana outlets: the Billings Gazette, the Independent Record in Helena and the Missoulian.

*****

WWAY News and WECT News 6 of Wilmington, North Carolina, mentioned Michigan Tech in stories covering Gabriel Edzordzi Agbozo ’21 (Ph.D. Rhetoric, Theory and Culture) receiving the National Council of Teachers of English’s 2023 Early Career Educator of Color Award. Agbozo is an assistant professor in the Department of English at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

*****

The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, mentioned Michigan Tech in a profile of Cydney Faul-Halsor ’84, part of a series highlighting personal stories about the Back Mountain Triathlon.

Husky Emergency Assistance Funds Available

The Husky Emergency Assistance Fund was established to help members of our campus community who are experiencing financial hardship. All current students, faculty and staff who have incurred emergency-related expenses and can demonstrate need are welcome to apply. The fund is supported by the generous donations of Michigan Tech alumni and friends.

To complete an application for financial assistance or donate to the fund, visit the Husky Emergency Assistance Fund website, email heaf@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1567.

*****

ChE Research Seminar Speaker: Saad Sharief

Saad Sharief will present as part of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) Research Seminar Series tomorrow (July 19) at 10 a.m. in person in Chem Sci 404 and virtually via Zoom.

Sharief will present "Glycan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for food safety and security."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

Sharief is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University.

*****

PhD Defense: Xiaoqing Gao, Math

Ph.D. candidate Xiaoqing Gao from the Department of Mathematical Sciences (Math) will defend her doctoral dissertation today (July 18) at 1 p.m. in person in Fisher 328 and virtually via Zoom.

The title of Gao's dissertation is "Machine Learning Methods for Predictions of Human Infection Virus and Imputation of HLA Alleles."

Xiaoqing is advised by Kui Zhang.

*****

Construction Notice: Alumni Way Gateway Project Beginning Thursday

Construction will begin on the west end of Alumni Way on Thursday (July 20), and will continue through the end of October.

Building access to the Administration Building and Alumni House will not be impacted. However, please be aware that the following areas will be impacted by this construction:

• Vehicle Traffic — Detours will be marked and traffic will be directed through Parking Lot 1 to Cliff Drive.

• Pedestrian Traffic — Sidewalks will not be available from the intersection of US41 and Cliff Drive until the end of construction in October. Pedestrian traffic will be directed around the construction zone fencing and through Parking Lot 1.

• Parking — Metered parking spaces at the west end of Alumni Way will not be available. Lot 1 will have fewer parking spaces along the southwest side of the parking lot (across from the Administration Building).

• Noise — While we will do our best to keep disruptions to a minimum, construction noise will occur.

A detailed map of the detours and area of construction is available in the Announcements section on the Facilities Management homepage.

Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to keep alert while in and around construction zones and to follow all appropriate directions and detours. Pedestrians are reminded to stay on designated pedestrian paths.

If you have questions or concerns, please email facilities@mtu.edu.

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

Tracks to the Future Session II

Tuesday, July 18, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | University Partner Locations

Railroad Transportation and Engineering 2023 Hybrid Delivery Program: Virtual, Hands-on, and Field Trips July 17–21, 2023 Monday-Friday Open to high school students who...

PhD Defense: Xiaoqing Gao

Tuesday, July 18, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 328

Statistics Advisor: Kui Zhang MACHINE LEARNING METHODS for PREDICTION of HUMAN INFECTIOUS VIRUS AND IMPUTATION of HLA ALLELES Attend Virtually:...

Ph.D. Defense: Niusen Chen, Computer Science

Tuesday, July 18, 2 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Ph.D. candidate Niusen Chen will present his final oral examination ("defense") on July 18, 2023, at 2 p.m. in Rekhi Hall, Room 101 and virtually. The title of Chen's defense...

PhD Defense: Niusen Chen

Tuesday, July 18, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 101

Computer Science Advisor: Bo Chen Ensuring Data Confidentiality via Plausibly Deniable Encryption and Secure Deletion Attend Virtually:...

Hockey Camp Group 1

July 18, all day | Student Development Complex (SDC), Macinnes Student Ice Arena

Gain fundamental skills and broad knowledge of the sport for all age levels. Co-ed camps and clinics focus on team play, positional play, defensive play, strengthening...

Hockey Camp Groups 2 and 3

July 18, all day | Student Development Complex (SDC), Macinnes Student Ice Arena

Gain fundamental skills and broad knowledge of the sport for all age levels. Co-ed camps and clinics focus on team play, positional play, defensive play, strengthening...