March 22, 2024

The Vice President for Research (VPR) Search Committee has invited three candidates to Michigan Tech for on-campus interviews.

Candidate 1 Open Forum Presentation:
Monday, March 25, at 2 p.m. in Chem Sci 101
The first candidate will interview on Monday and Tuesday (March 25 and 26). The candidate will present their vision for research at Michigan Tech at an open forum Monday at 2 p.m. in Chem Sci 101.

Information on all candidates, interview dates, open forum information and post-forum recordings can be viewed at the Office of the President's Vice President for Research Search page. A Michigan Tech login is required to view candidate information.

The search committee encourages the campus community to interact with each candidate during the interviews and to provide feedback by completing the anonymous comment form provided on the VPR Candidates page. Feedback forms will be posted immediately following each candidate's visit and will be available for 72 hours following the last candidate's departure.

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) Dean Search Committee had invited four semifinalist candidates to Michigan Tech for on-campus interviews. However, the third candidate has withdrawn from the pool and their scheduled visit on Monday and Tuesday (March 25 and 26) has been canceled.

Information on the remaining candidates, interview dates and open forum information can be viewed at the Academic Affairs Dean Search page. A Michigan Tech login is required to view resumes and provide comment.

The annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival, presented by Michigan Tech Music, begins tonight (March 22) at 7:30 p.m. in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts’ backstage jazz club.

This year's featured guest artist is Kris Johnson — an outstanding Detroit-based trumpeter, composer, arranger, film scorer, and educator. Read about Johnson in yesterday's Tech Today.

The festival continues with two more performances tomorrow (March 23). Tickets are available online and at the door.

Check out a rundown of all three concerts published Wednesday (March 20) in Tech Today.

Festival Details:

• What: Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival Presented by Michigan Tech Music
• When: Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23
• Where: Backstage at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
• Tickets: Pay As You’re Able ($15 full ticket fee). Student Rush is included with the Experience Tech fee. Reserve your tickets.

The Open Source Hardware Enterprise is a partner of this year’s Maker Fest, happening tomorrow (March 23) at Houghton High School. The festival will be held in the Houghton-Portage Township Schools Gym & Cafeteria (use Door No. 4) from 12-5 p.m.

Maker Fest is not just an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, innovation and community spirit that brings together the Copper Country community for an immersive experience where attendees can explore STEM-based creations and connect with local STEM clubs. Maker Fest is not just about showcasing makers and their creations; it’s about fostering a sense of curiosity and inspiring the next generation of makers. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the power of creativity and collaboration at Maker Fest 2024!

This year's theme is "Making in Progress," and all featured makers and partner organizations were asked to have activities or demonstrations. They may also have items for sale.

There are also some great presentations lined up throughout the day, as well as competition submissions that the community can vote on.

Learn more at the Maker Fest 2024 website.

College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) Dean Ravindra Pandey has selected Terri Frew for this week’s Deans’ Teaching Showcase. Frew, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), will be recognized at an end-of-term event with other showcase members and is a candidate for the CTL Instructional Award Series.

Frew has demonstrated excellent teaching in a wide range of visual arts classes, including large general education courses (Art Appreciation), small studio courses (Drawing, Art + Design Studio, Ceramics, Fiber Arts) and theory courses (Color). In every class, she is committed to nurturing creative exploration, practical hands-on skills and critical analysis. She has experimented with using community engagement to enhance student learning, for example, partnering with the Hancock Community Garden for her Art + Design Studio course. She also enjoys offering students new ways to think about what they are learning. This semester, she is piloting a new Fiber Arts course where she pairs creative “making and doing” with critical conversations about the role of handmade items and craftsmanship, both historically and in today’s society.

Jared Anderson, VPA’s chair, described Frew’s work as a teacher as “ambitious, inclusive and collaborative. Within the framework of arts education, she is able to create opportunities for students to explore varied topics and to gain new perspectives. Her commitment to her teaching practices, her students and to the University community is to be commended.”

Frew also serves as the director of the Rozsa Galleries. She builds partnerships with other departments on campus related to the gallery’s exhibits and fosters a gallery experience that highlights diverse perspectives and appeals to a wide audience. In 2022, she curated “Arabesque,” an exhibit that partnered international artist Clement Yeh with local artist Tomas Co. The exhibit included drawing, sculpture and video, and was created in close collaboration with the Rozsa Center’s programming, complementing the Rozsa’s fall ballet concert. Frew’s recent curatorial project, “Simple Machines,” paired the work of Ukrainian poet Yuliya Musakova and Associate Professor M. Bartley Seigel (HU). The multimedia exhibit included audio clips of the poets reading their own work, a live printing demonstration and a live performance from Musakova.

“Offering a vibrant arts curriculum that is available to all students is an important way that Michigan Tech sets itself apart as a STEM-focused institution,” noted Maria Bergstrom, CSA associate dean for undergraduate education. “When we give students opportunities to explore creative and expressive practices, we enhance their ability to be truly innovative within their majors and in their future careers. We are fortunate to have outstanding faculty like Professor Frew encouraging Michigan Tech students to engage with the arts, both now and throughout the rest of their lives.”

Jim Baker, associate vice president for research administration, participated in a taping of “Media Meet” that will air on WNMU-TV tomorrow (March 22) and Sunday (March 23), and will be available online starting tomorrow evening.

The episode, titled “Teaming Up to Support Startups,” discusses the Entrepreneurial Fellows Program that was launched in fall 2023 by Michigan Tech in collaboration with Northern Michigan University and funded by InvestUP. Under the program, students from both universities receive training in early-stage technology commercialization and do hands-on work to support regional companies, including Michigan Tech startups.

Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP; Corinne Bodeman, a faculty member of NMU; and Liv Jarzabek, one of the program's student fellows, also participated in the taping to discuss the background of the program and the early results achieved.

Ph.D. in Statistics candidate Praveen Hettige will defend his doctoral dissertation on Tuesday (March 26) at 9 a.m. in Chem Sci 101. Virtual attendance is also invited via Zoom.

The title of the dissertation is "An Incremental Multiscale Non-Linear Manifold Approximation Method."

Hettige is advised by Benjamin Ong.

Ph.D. in Statistics candidate Lirong Zhu will defend her doctoral dissertation on Thursday (March 28) at 12:30 p.m. in Fisher 327B. Virtual attendance is also invited via Zoom.

The title of the dissertation is "Statistical Methods for Genetic Association Studies & Polygenic Risk Score Prediction."

Zhu is advised by Qiuying Sha.

Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics candidate Fangyao Zhu will defend her doctoral dissertation on Wednesday (March 27) at 9 a.m. in Dillman 208.

The title of the dissertation is "Bound Preserving Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Euler Equations & Nonequilibrium Flows."

Zhu is advised by Yang Yang.

Department of Applied Computing (AC) tenure-track faculty candidate Wenqi Shi will give a research presentation on Tuesday (March 26) at 1 p.m. in Rekhi 214.

The title of Shi's talk is "Advancing Personalized Medicine Through Generative Artificial Intelligence."

Read the talk abstract and candidate bio on the Computing News Blog.

This week's Atmospheric Sciences graduate student presenters will be:

• Zaid Bakri (Physics; advised by Claudio Mazzoleni)
• Swafuva Varappillikudy Sulaiman (Physics; advised by Will Cantrell)

This will be an in-person event — the students will give their talks at 4 p.m. Monday (March 25) in Fisher 101.

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

The Michigan Tech Nordic ski squads are concluding their 2023-24 campaign competing in the SuperTour Finals and Spring National Championships, which began yesterday (March 21) and run to Tuesday (March 26) at the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

"Most years we wouldn't have the opportunity to compete in the SuperTour Finals and Spring National Championships, as most years this event takes place out of our region," head coach Tom Monahan Smith said. "So our student-athletes are really looking forward to this unique opportunity they have now to compete in this national championship event right here in the Midwest."

"There will be collegiate teams from across the country as well as professional athletes from the U.S. and Canada competing in these races, so it offers our student-athletes truly world-class competition," he continued. "Our student-athletes will compete in a select number of the four race events, and they are really looking forward to each of their additional national championships race opportunities. We have one overarching goal as a team for this race week, and that is to make it the most fun race week we possibly can. Going out there and loving what we do as ski racers is how we want to finish our season."

Read more at Michigan Tech Athletics.

Job Postings for Friday, March 22, 2024

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.

Coordinator – Registered Student Organizations, Student Leadership and Involvement. Apply online.

Custodian (12 months/ 40 hours/ second shift) #24080, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates March 22 to March 28, 2024 — 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.

Food Service Helper (12 months/ part-time, no base/ shifts vary) #23270RPRP-23273RPRP, 24070, 24085, Dining Services (AFSCME posting dates March 22 to March 28, 2024 — 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) #24080, Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates March 22 to March 28, 2024 — 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) #24075, Sports and Recreation Operations (AFSCME posting dates March 22 to March 28, 2024 — 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.

Building Mechanic II (12 months/ 40 hours/ second shift) #24076, Sports and Recreation Operations (AFSCME posting dates March 22 to March 28, 2024 — 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.

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 Meckler (VPA) was interviewed by ABC 10 in a segment about this year’s Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival, starting tonight (March 22) at 7:30 p.m. backstage at the Rozsa. The festival will continue with two more concerts tomorrow (March 23).

*****

The Big Rapids Pioneer mentioned the Blizzard Baja Enterprise’s Winter Baja Race in a feature story about the Ferris State University Baja Club. A In the story, an FSU club member described the race’s jumps and obstacles as a real test of car durability.

*****

The Soo Leader mentioned Michigan Tech in a story previewing a session of the Upper Peninsula Entrepreneur Series at Lake Superior State University featuring Bob Jacquart, an MTU alum, former member of the Board of Trustees and former CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products (home of Stormy Kromer).

CS Colloquium with Shiva Rallapalli '05

Shiva Rallapalli ’05 (B.S. Computer Science) will present a Department of Computer Science (CS) Colloquium lecture today (March 22) from 3-4 p.m. in Rekhi 214 and via Zoom online meeting.

The title of Rallapalli’s talk is “The future of Computer Science is in finding synergies with allied disciplines to unlock societal value.”

Join the Zoom meeting.

Rallapalli is the co-founder and global chief operating officer (COO) of VerityXR, a pioneering medical device company specializing in digital therapeutics for pain management and physical rehabilitation.

This talk is part of the Department of Computer Science alumni lecture series “Our Golden Years: Behind Us, Or Still Ahead?”

Read the talk abstract and speaker bio on the Computing News Blog.

*****

Banner-Related Production System Maintenance on Sunday

Production system maintenance is scheduled for Sunday (March 24) from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The following production services will be unavailable during that time:

• Banner
• Banweb
• MyMichiganTech
• ASPIRE
• Course Tools
• OAP Rental System
• Oracle Reports
• UC4/Appworx
• Virtual Cashiering
• WebFocus

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Contact us at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

*****

RTC/IPEC Brown Bag: 'Agency, Ethics, and AI'

Join us today (March 22) from 1-2 p.m. in the Petersen Library (Walker 318) for brown bag talk sponsored by the Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture (RTC) graduate program and the Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture (IPEC).

The talk is titled "Agency, Ethics, and AI: A Conversation About the Ontology of Human and Non-Human Agency."

Join Department of Humanities (HU) faculty Jason Archer, Scott Marratto and Alexandra Morrison in a brown bag discussion. Each faculty member will give a short presentation. Light refreshments will be served.

The first presentation will address 20th and 21st century phenomenological philosophy that, through its rigorous descriptions of concrete lived, embodied experience, challenges "mind-centered" and exclusively cognitive models of human agency.

The second will address how contemporary research in STEM ethics draws on that same phenomenological tradition to reveal the ways in which human engagement with technical objects and sociotechnical systems transform moral perception and agency.

The third will discuss the way in which a similar understanding of hybrid agency critically informs state-of-the-art research in science and technology studies (STS), communication and sensory studies, including human-machine communication and haptics.

See the event flyer on the IPEC News Blog.

*****

March KIP Seminar with Sarah Konefal

Please join the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) today (March 22) from 3-4 p.m. in Fisher 132 for our March seminar.

The guest speaker will be Sarah Konefal from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The title of the presentation is "Drug Overdose and Co-occurring Conditions in Michigan."

For more information about the speaker and her work, please visit the KIP Newsblog.

*****

Human Resources Office Closure

The Human Resources office will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. today (March 22) for a departmental meeting. Inquiries during this time can be sent through our HR Support Center portal or via email to hr-help@mtu.edu.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

*****

PhD Defense: Gaurish Gokhale, ECE

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering candidate Gaurish Gokhale will defend his doctoral dissertation today (March 22) at 10 a.m. in person in EERC 501. Virtual attendance is also invited via Zoom.

The title of the dissertation is "Transient Simulations of Power Systems with Inverter Interfaced Resources."

Gokhale is advised by Bruce Mork.

*****

This Weekend: 'Icy Enchantment' Spring Skating Show

The Michigan Tech Figure Skating Club and Copper Country Skating Academy (CCSA) are happy to announce their annual spring skating show, "Icy Enchantment." The show will be in the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena tomorrow (March 23) at 7 p.m. and Sunday (March 24) at 2 p.m.

Many skaters with a Michigan Tech connection are featured, including students in the Michigan Tech Figure Skating Club, sons and daughters of our faculty and staff, and faculty and staff from the University. "Icy Enchantment" features a magical selection of music from the past and present. It is guaranteed to be an entertaining show filled with jumps, spins and lots of smiling skaters.

Tickets are available from any CCSA member or at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students or seniors. Children under 5 are admitted free.

*****

Michigan Tech OE Week Celebration Continues

Thank you to everyone who celebrated Open Education (OE) Week at Michigan Tech with our OE panel discussion on Monday (March 18). If you missed it, the recording is now available on Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech.

You’re invited to continue the conversation in person with Annelise Doll (VPOL), scholarly communications librarian and OER specialist. Join her at the OE Library Cafe Social at noon today (March 22). Anyone interested in learning more about open education is welcome to reach out to the Van Pelt and Opie Library at library@mtu.edu.

*****

ISA's Celebration of Holi: Festival of Colors

Save the date, MTU! Prepare to immerse yourself in a dazzling celebration as the Indian Students Association's (ISA's) annual Holi extravaganza returns on Monday (March 25) from 1-5 p.m. Prepare for an explosion of vibrant colors, electrifying music and cultural exploration to kick off 2024!

Celebrate the vibrant spirit of Holi, the Festival of Colors, by indulging in a culinary odyssey across the diverse regions of India. Join us for lunch from 1-3 p.m. in the MUB Commons, where a feast awaits to tantalize your taste buds and transport you on a delightful journey through the unique flavors of each region.

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the enchanting melodies of India as the MUB Ballroom comes alive with vibrant live performances from 3-4 p.m. From the infectious beats of Bhangra to the soul-stirring tunes of Carnatic music, immerse yourself in the diverse sounds that define India’s rich cultural tapestry.

But wait, there's more! Brace yourself for an evening filled with surprises, and if the weather permits, gear up for an unforgettable colors celebration outdoors from 4-5 p.m. that promises to etch memories for a lifetime.

This event is more than just a party — it's an invitation to delve deeper into the heart of Indian culture and explore the geographical influences that have shaped its unique traditions.

Open to all MTU students and their families! Don your favorite white attire (ready to be splashed with colors!) and join ISA for an electrifying celebration of Holi and the New Year!

Book your tickets now!

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

Simple Machines: Poetry, Letterpress, and the Art of the Little Magazine Presented by Michigan Tech Art

Friday, March 22, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries

Simple Machines is a two-edition, international, letterpress poetry magazine founded and edited by Michigan Tech’s M. Bartley Seigel, funded through a Research Excellence...

*****

Graduating and Still Looking? Walk In for Coffee and a Chat

Friday, March 22, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Are you graduating soon and need help finding a job? Come in for a coffee and chat with one of our career advisors. We can help tailor your search, review your resume, bounce...

*****

PhD Defense: Gaurish Shreedhar Gokhale

Friday, March 22, 10–11 a.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 501

Electrical Engineering Advisor: Bruce Mork Transient Simulations of Power Systems with Inverter Interfaced Resources

*****

Faculty Brown Bag: Agency, Ethics and AI: A conversation about the ontology of human and non-human agency

Friday, March 22, 12–1 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, Petersen Library

Humanities faculty Jason Archer, Scott Marratto and Alexandra Morrison will lead a Brown Bag panel discussion on agency -- kicked off with three short presentations. The first...

*****

Open Education Cafe Social

Friday, March 22, 12–1 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Library Cafe

In celebration of Open Education (OE) Week, join Scholarly Communications Librarian Annelise Doll in the Library Cafe for an information discussion of open education at...

*****

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Friday, March 22, 12:00–4:30 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Lobby

Are you interested in exploring what research undergraduate students have been participating in? Join us on March 22nd for the 2024 Undergraduate Research & Scholarship...

*****

CS Colloquium Lecture: Shiva Rallapalli ’05

Friday, March 22, 3–4 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 214

Shiva Rallapalli ’05 B.S. in Computer Science, will present a Department of Computer Science Colloquium lecture on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 3-4 p.m. in Rekhi 214 and via...

*****

Engineering Novel Antibody and Nanoparticle Platforms for Imaging and Therapeutic Applications

Friday, March 22, 3–4 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center (EERC), 100

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar Dr. Andrew Tsourkas University of Pennsylvania Abstract A major goal of my research program is to develop novel molecular imaging...

*****

World Water Day 2024 Talk: Miriam Rios-Sanchez '11

Friday, March 22, 3 p.m. | Memorial Union Building (MUB), Alumni Lounge

The Great Lakes Research Center is thrilled to sponsor a talk by Michigan Tech alumna Miriam Rios-Sanchez '11 (PhD Geological Engineering) in celebration of World Water Day...

*****

V for Vendetta Movie Night

Friday, March 22, 7:00–9:30 p.m. | U. J. Noblet Forestry & Wood Products Building - G002

Come and see V for Vendetta hosted by TPUSA at Michigan Tech and Young Americans for Freedom! Snacks and drinks will be provided. V for Vendetta's runtime is 2 hours and...

*****

Don Keranen Jazz Festival ft. Kris Johnson Presented by Michigan Tech Music

Friday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

The Annual Don Keranen Jazz Festival pays tribute to the founder of the Michigan Tech Jazz Studies Program. The weekend will feature former Count Basie Big Band trumpeter and...

*****

Spring 2024 Aikido Gleason Sensei Seminar

Friday, March 22, 8:15–10:05 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), SDC Fitness Studio

Our March seminar is a rare opportunity to train with a world-class Aikido instructor in a small intimate setting. Gleason Shihan will focus on the internal applications of...

*****

(Women's Tennis) Saginaw Valley State vs. Michigan Tech

March 22, all day | Gates Tennis Center

Women's Tennis: Saginaw Valley State vs. Michigan Tech

*****

SuperTour Finals & Spring National Championships (Duluth, Minn.)

March 22, all day

SuperTour Finals & Spring National Championships (Duluth, Minn.)