September 16, 2024

Starting Sept. 16 through Oct.14, Michigan Tech students will have the opportunity to participate in the Healthy Minds Survey, a nationally recognized survey focused on understanding and improving mental health and well-being on college campuses. As staff and faculty committed to student success, we have a unique role in promoting this important initiative.

Why does the Healthy Minds Survey matter? In STEM fields, where the demands of rigorous coursework and research are high, mental health is a critical component of academic performance, retention and overall student success. The data collected will not only help us identify the key challenges students face but also shape targeted interventions that are relevant to our unique campus environment.

Encouraging student participation in this survey contributes to the creation of a campus culture that prioritizes mental health, where students feel supported both in and outside the classroom. The survey results will provide actionable insights that can lead to better services, enhanced resources and more informed decision-making as we continue to build an environment where every student can thrive.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Tell students to look out for an email from healthyminds-MTU@umich.edu.
• Mention the survey in class: A brief reminder at the beginning or end of class can go a long way. Highlight how participating in this survey is a way for students to directly impact future campus resources and support.
• Include the survey in your communications: Whether it’s a mention in an email, or a quick post on Canvas, incorporating a mention of the Healthy Minds Survey in your communications can encourage participation.
• Share the incentives: To make it even more appealing, students who complete the survey will be entered to win weekly prizes like a Spikeball set, Bluetooth speaker, YETI Rambler, and a hammock.

By promoting the Healthy Minds Survey, you’re not just supporting research — you’re contributing to the well-being of our students and helping to build a stronger, more resilient Michigan Tech community.

For more information about the survey and how to promote it, please reach out to the survey coordinator Josh Carlson at joshuaca@mtu.edu.

The Graduate School proudly announces the recipients of our Fall 2024 awards. Congratulations to all nominees and recipients!

Copper Shores Community Health Foundation (CSCHF) Assistantship recipient:

• Libia Hazra — Environmental Engineering

The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowship recipient:

• Fatemeh Razaviamri — Biomedical Engineering

 Doctoral Finishing Fellowship recipients:

• Nithin Allwayin — Physics
• Swapan Chakrabarty — Forest Molecular Genetics and Technology
• Mohanish Kishor Chandurkar — Biomedical Engineering
• Tiffany DeGroot — Forest Science
• Samuel J. Groetsch — Physics
• Abelrahman O. Ismail — Chemistry
• Brilynn Jackila — Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture
• Jeffrey S. Kabel — Applied Physics
• Miaomiao Li — Civil Engineering
• Revanth Mattey — Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
• Natalie Nold — Chemical Engineering
• Seyedmostafa Rezaeitaleshmahalleh — Biomedical Engineering
• Udit Sharma —  Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
• Peifeng Su — Civil Engineering
• Yunsheng Su — Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Read more about the awardees on the Graduate School Newsblog.

The Fall Computing Showcase is back and is right around the corner!

The theme of this year’s iteration focuses on the convergence of computing (C+X) and how computing technologies pervade nearly everything, from biomedicals to environmental conservation, and enhance research and education.

This year’s event will continue to host impactful speakers and talks, as well as a student poster competition. New and exciting facets of this year's showcase include the official Center for Artificial Intelligence rollout reception and AI Art Workshop, to commemorate the recent launch of the Center for AI at Michigan Tech.

Mark your calendars for Oct. 2-4! View the full event schedule on the ICC website.

We are excited to see everyone for this year’s event!

Essential Ed will be holding office hours from noon to 1 p.m. in the Library 103 conference room on the following dates:

• Wednesday, Sept. 18
• Thursday, Sept. 26, with Special Guest Nancy Barr — Talking on folio thinking and PebblePad
• Wednesday, Oct. 2, with Special Guest Jean DeClerck — Talking on assessment and Essential Ed

Individuals, department committees and other working groups are welcome to attend for consultations, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Revising degree audits and flowcharts to make the most of Essential Ed requirements
• Tips for building an Essential Ed minor
• How to build an Essential Education Experience course
• What are in Essential Ed seminar modules?
• How is Essential Education assessed?
• How have well-being and success courses changed?
• What is folio thinking and how do ePortfolios support it?

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University invites you to join the C-Cubed Luncheon for the 2024-25 school year. The weekly luncheon is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

Menu for Thursday, Sept. 19:

• Mediterranean Chicken Breast (AG, PR)
• Zucchini and Bulgur Stuffed Eggplant (VG)
• Mediterranean Salad (V, AG)
• Lemon Rice Pilaf (VG)
• Roasted Vegetables (V)

The C-Cubed lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by Chef Luis Delgado and his 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 cookies are available free to all attendees. All vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the buffet are labeled for easy identification. No takeout service or personal containers are permitted.

The buffet lunch is $15.49 per person. Cash, credit cards, and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office, room 101.

You can submit C-Cubed feedback using C-Cubed Survey/Comments form. To join the C-Cubed Luncheon Email List and receive weekly menus, please complete the sign-up form.

Sharon McMahon: With Malice Toward None
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
2024/25 Rozsa Season: Rozsa Presenting Series
Van Evera Distinguished Lecture Series
Bridging Communities Series

In a world of incredible polarization, how do we hold space for free speech and make sure that everyone feels safe and welcome?  Join Sharon McMahon, the former high school government teacher known for her ability to break down complex political issues with empathy, respect and clarity, for this compelling and timely discussion inspired by the words in Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address. 

Sharon’s talk will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Univeristy Ombuds and Social Sciences Associate Professor Susanna D. Peters, J.D. 

Tickets: Free for all through the Van Evera Memorial Endowment. Reserve online or at the Rozsa Box Office. 

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that thing between my teeth is my foot — Art exhibit open through Nov. 2
2024/25 Rozsa Season: Michigan Tech Art Series

Since the fall of 2019, Connecticut-based artist Douglas Degges has been creating a series of intriguing abstract paintings based on cell phone photos from his family in Louisiana in a group text. This project explores shared visual experiences and affirms the concept of home as immaterial and held within oneself. Alongside these paintings are a series of abstract sculptures that Degges collaborated on with his wonderful canine companion, Cricket. 

This free exhibit is open through Nov. 2 in the Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space. Curated by Gallery Director Terri Jo Frew, the Rozsa Art Galleries are located on the lower level of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

A-Space Gallery Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Saturday: 1-8 p.m.

The climate action student organization at Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, has been an active member of “Keep the U.P. Wild." This is a coalition of over 70 businesses and organizations in the Upper Peninsula, plus another 330 across Michigan, who are working to establish four new federal wilderness areas in the Western U.P.

These four local areas are likely places you have explored and enjoyed for outdoor recreation, containing pristine wilderness and old-growth forests: the Trap Hills, a Sturgeon River Gorge addition, Ehlco, and the Norwich Plains! The federal wilderness designation would give these treasured ecosystems the recognition they deserve, worthy of permanent protection from logging and development.

Are you interested in hearing more about which local businesses are involved in this project and what is needed to secure the Wilderness designation? Come hear from a key voice behind this effort: Kelly Thayer of the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC). Kelly will present what this Wilderness designation is all about, where the campaign stands, and how you can help. This will be a short informal presentation with opportunity for conversation.

Maps of the proposed wilderness areas and more information can be found on the Keep the U.P. Wild website.

Attend the informational presentation tomorrow, Sept. 17, from 6:30-7 p.m. in Fisher 125!

Marc Kuchner of NASA Headquarters will present virtually at a Physics Colloquium this week. The seminar will be presented virtually while guests meet in person at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Fisher 139.

Kuchner's presentation is titled "Marketing for Scientists."

This will be a highly interactive activity! 

Read Kuchner's abstract and bio at the University Events Calendar.

The Department of Psychology and Human Factors will host Tim Arnold at the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors (ACSHF) Forum being held today, Sept. 16, from 2-3 p.m. via Zoom.

The topic of today's forum is "History of Human Factors in the Veterans Health Administration."

In the VHA, the Human Factors organization was formally established in October 2011 as part of a larger health informatics division within the Office of Informatics and Analytics. Beginning with fiscal year 2014, the Human Factors Office took the moniker Human Factors Engineering. In November 2023, the division name was changed to Human Systems Integration (HSI). HSI's mission is to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, usability and safety of VHA systems through early and iterative application of analysis methods and design principles, based on knowledge of human capabilities and limitations, throughout the systems engineering lifecycle.

Join the ACSHF presentation on Zoom.

Event Details:

• What: Presentation with Tim Arnold
• When: Monday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m.
• Where: Virtually on Zoom

The Bridging Communities Series at Michigan Tech provides students, faculty and staff with valuable opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations that explore different perspectives and foster understanding. This collaborative initiative brings together departments across campus to offer a wide range of programming aimed at engaging our community and enhancing campus culture. Through a variety of events including workshops, panels and more, participants will develop skills for respectful dialogue and learn to navigate challenging conversations with empathy and openness.

Bridging Communities Events

Courageous Dialogue — Wednesday, Sept. 11
This event provided a safe and supportive space for students to explore their individual comfort with different conversations, learn effective communication strategies, and practice engaging in courageous dialogue.

High-Impact Strategies for Difficult Dialogue — Thursday, Sept. 12
This workshop was designed for employees who want to learn high-impact strategies for facilitating respectful and productive conversations in various settings on campus, especially around contentious topics.

Talking Across Divides — Thursday, Sept. 12
Ron Jackson shared strategies for navigating difficult conversations and promoting civil discourse across differences. Students and the community learned how to foster a climate of support, understanding, and respect in classrooms, on campus, and beyond.

National Voter Registration Day — Tuesday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tables will be located in the MUB Commons, the Opie Library, and Wadsworth Hall to check your voter registration status or register to vote.

Sharon McMahon — Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Join us in welcoming "America's Government Teacher," Sharon McMahon for a free Constitution Week speaker event. 

Facilitating Difficult Conversations Workshop — Monday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to noon, and Monday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to noon.
Participants attend both sessions to gain foundational information for handling difficult work and/or peer conversations in a respectful and professional manner. 

Academic Freedom Decoded — Tuesday, Oct. 1, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Faculty will learn about the principles of academic freedom and engage in dialogue about how academic freedom applies in a variety of campus contexts.

Advocates and Allies Fall Workshop — Friday, Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Event details and registration information will be shared soon.

Global and Community Engagement Conference and Volunteer Fair — Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Global and Community Engagement Conference, themed "Igniting Change Through Generosity," celebrates efforts to address community needs through dialogue and action.

Note: Some programs are partially sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program, funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan's King-Chavez-Parks Initiative.

Build Bridges, Attend an Event!
We invite all members of the Michigan Tech community to participate and contribute to the ongoing dialogue. By engaging with different perspectives and fostering mutual understanding, we can create a more vibrant campus environment for everyone.

For more information about specific events, please visit the Michigan Tech Events Calendar and the Engagement and Belonging newsblog.

Susanta Ghosh (MAE) is a co-author on a paper published Aug. 12 in npj Computational Materials.

The paper is titled “Electronic structure prediction of multi-million atom systems through uncertainty quantification enabled transfer learning.”

Ghosh and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. graduates Shashank Pathrudkar and Ponkrshnan Thiagarajan collaborated with Shivang Agarwal and Amartya S. Banerjee of UCLA to develop a new machine learning model that aims to break the cubic scaling barrier of quantum mechanics. The findings, detailed in the paper, are a result of research conducted by Ghosh’s group at Michigan Tech and Banerjee’s at UCLA.

Sriram Malladi’s Research Group Shines at ASME SMASIS 2024 Conference

Sriram Malladi’s (MAE) research group, VITALS (Vibrations, Intelligent Testing, and Active Learning of Structures), made an impressive mark at this year’s ASME SMASIS 2024 conference, a leading event in the field of adaptive structures and material systems. The conference, which attracts approximately 300 attendees and features over 250 technical presentations, saw the VITALS group contribute five insightful presentations.

Peer reviewed conference papers and presentations from the VITALS group included:

• “Utilizing Steady-State Traveling Waves in a Quiescent Water Environment for Particle Manipulation” by Samikshak Gupta.
• “Kalimba Inspired Metastructure for Frequency Selectivity” presented by undergraduate students Rachel Cole and Evelyn James, along with graduate student Hrishikesh Gosavi.
• “Data-Driven 1D – Dispersion Estimation in Hydraulic Fluid Media” by graduate student Matthew Beals.
• “Sensitivity Analysis of Tire Modal Characteristics in Unloaded Conditions Relative to Inflation Pressure,” the result of a student project in the MEEM 4701 class.

Highlights:

• Gupta's research, “Exploring the Relationship Between Cost Function of Hybrid Traveling Waves and Structural Absorption Coefficient Adapted From Acoustics,” was recognized as one of the top three papers of the conference. This achievement culminated in Gupta being awarded at the prestigious Award Banquet ceremony.
• Malladi was recognized for his dedicated service as the Technical Committee Chair of the Adaptive Systems Dynamics and Controls Technical Committee. He received a certificate of appreciation during the conference.

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence:

This year’s success follows another strong showing at the 2023 SMASIS conference, where VITALS presented seven papers. At that event, Gupta also stood out, winning the ASDC Best Symposium Paper Award for his work, “Parametric-Feel Algorithm: Developing a Parametric Vectorfitting Model for Event Localization in Calibrated Structures.”

The Associated Press quoted Travis White (GLRC) in a story about the ongoing high-tech search in Lake Superior for a plane that crashed in 1968. From Sept. 9-13, a Michigan Tech team based at the Great Lakes Research Center used an autonomous surface vessel equipped with high-resolution sonar to scan the lake bottom for wreckage. The story was picked up by Yahoo! News, The Mining Journal, and 80 other outlets worldwide.

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The Daily Mining Gazette, The Mining Journal, WZMQ 19 News, and 25 other outlets mentioned Michigan Tech hockey in stories about the results of the 2024 CCHA Preseason Polls. The Huskies were picked third in the coaches' poll and fourth in the media poll. The polls were the subject of a Michigan Tech Athletics press release.

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Mining Connection ran a story about Ken Engquist ’93 (BS Mechanical Engineering) being appointed CEO of Intrepid Metals.

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MTU student Andrew Feys was quoted by the Daily Mining Gazette in a story about the Young Americans for Freedom's 9/11 memorial event at Michigan Tech. The group planted 2,977 flags on Walker Lawn to honor the lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

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The Carbon Herald mentioned Michigan Tech as a collaborator in a Western Michigan University-led initiative awarded $5 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Michigan.

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Mariana Nakashima (IPS) was quoted by the Keweenaw Report in a story about the Parade of Nations, scheduled for Sept. 21. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a parade through downtown Houghton, followed by a multicultural festival at Dee Stadium starting at noon.

Michigan Tech’s Responsibilities to Students with Disabilities

The start of Michigan Tech's fall semester has arrived, so Equal Opportunity Compliance and Student Disability Services would like to remind the campus community about the University's obligation and commitment to providing equal access to all educational programs, activities and services for students with disabilities, per Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Access can be provided in several ways: by providing aids and services necessary for effective communication, like CART (communication access real-time translation) services and assistive listening devices; by modifying policies, practices and procedures, such as testing accommodations and access to campus facilities for service animals; and by providing architectural access to buildings, including residential facilities.

Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be designed to meet the specific needs of the individual. Student accommodations at Michigan Tech are provided through Student Disability Services. Employee accommodations are provided through the ADA coordinator in Equal Opportunity Compliance.

Please visit the Education ADA Fact Sheet from the ADA National Network for more information.

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Associate Professors Invited to Join the ACM Program

Advanced Career Management (ACM) is a peer mentoring program focused on career planning and strategies for midcareer faculty. Associate professors are invited to an orientation session next Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 1-2 p.m. in MUB Alumni Lounge C.

Please complete the ACM Interest Form by Friday, Sept. 20, to indicate your interest and RSVP for the orientation. If you are interested in the program but cannot attend the orientation, you will be contacted by email.

The session will introduce the ACM program, provide tools for career self-development and explain the ACM affinity groups. If you have any questions, please check the ACM website for information or send an email to Shari Stockero at stockero@mtu.edu.

The ACM program was developed by ADVANCE at Michigan Tech, an NSF-funded initiative dedicated to increasing faculty retention, improving campus climate and enhancing the career success of our faculty, and is now supported by the Office of the Provost.

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The Importance of the MTU Parade of Nations and Its Philanthropic Endeavors

The MTU Parade of Nations is an annual celebration that highlights the cultural diversity within the Michigan Technological University campus and the surrounding community. This vibrant event features a themed parade, an international food fest, and various entertainment activities. Participants dress in traditional attire, showcasing their heritage through colorful floats and performances, while the food fest offers a wide array of dishes from around the world. Music and dance performances further enrich the experience, celebrating global traditions and fostering a sense of unity. This year's parade will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, with the theme "Holidays Around the World."

The primary goal of the Parade of Nations is to raise community awareness about cultural diversity and to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging between the MTU student population and the local Keweenaw community. By leveraging press coverage, managing social media campaigns, and engaging local schools, the event aims to highlight the positive impact of a diverse population. Additionally, the Parade of Nations gives back to the community through scholarships, logo contests and donations to local organizations such as the Hancock football team.

Since 1989, the Parade of Nations has been a longstanding tradition in the Keweenaw. Continuing this tradition is crucial because it helps the international community feel included and valued, promoting understanding and respect for different cultures within the academic environment.

The event's co-chair, Machel Borsum, has been volunteering for the Parade of Nations for six years. Seeing how everything comes together and the happiness it brings to MTU students motivates her to continue volunteering. Machel mentions that the sense of community and joy that the event fosters is incredibly rewarding, and inspires her to undertake planning each year.

The Parade of Nations operates as a non-profit event, with significant costs associated with organizing it, including expenses for tables, seating, electricity for food booths, prizes, scholarships, logo contests, donations, and grants for parade floats and food booths. Despite these costs, vendors are not charged a participation fee.

The event supports incoming students with a $1,000 scholarship to raise awareness of the international diversity that MTU fosters. These scholarships are funded through donations and are awarded to incoming MTU freshmen who write essays about diversity, demonstrating their commitment to fostering an inclusive community at MTU.

Overall, the MTU Parade of Nations is a cornerstone event that celebrates cultural diversity and supports the community through various philanthropic endeavors. It brings together people from different backgrounds, fostering unity and understanding. By continuing this tradition, MTU and the surrounding community ensure that every individual feels valued and included, making the community stronger and more cohesive.

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Crowdsourcing Tick Collection: End of Summer Update

Tick Talk, the crowdsourcing tick collection project conducted last year at Michigan Tech, is underway for its second year. MTU's Genomic Sequencing Lab wants ticks from you, your family and your pets. The goal of this project is to identify the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses in the Copper Country. Please bring any ticks you find to one of two collection boxes on the Michigan Tech campus:

• U. J. Noblet Forestry Building — Main Entrance
• Great Lakes Research Center — First Floor

Current Results
Full results from the community tick submission are available on the Tick Talk Dashboard. So far:

• 1,942 ticks have been submitted to the lab in 2024
• 591 Black Legged ticks and 1,351 Brown dog ticks have been collected 
• 44% of Black Legged ticks submitted tested positive for Lyme
• 10% of Black Legged ticks submitted tested positive for Anaplasma

If you have any questions, please contact lab lead Aimee Marceau at ahmarcea@mtu.edu.

How to Remove and Preserve Ticks

1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause its mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by:
   1. Placing it in a sealed plastic storage bag. Multiple ticks from the same location can be placed in the same bag.
   2. Once the tick is sealed inside the plastic storage bag, bring it to a drop-off point within eight hours or place the bag with the tick in a freezer until dropping it off at Michigan Tech.
5. Follow the directions at the drop-off site to ensure the tick is properly preserved.

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Registration Now Open: Facilitating Difficult Conversations Workshop

Facilitating Difficult Conversations is a two-part workshop being offered on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will be required to attend both sessions, as the information builds a knowledge base moving through the workshops.

This in-person workshop is open to all Michigan Tech faculty and staff. The number of participants is limited, so please complete the registration form to save your seat. Once you are signed up, you will receive a calendar invitation, which will include the location.

For more information, feel free to contact Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX at 906-487-3310 or eocompliance@mtu.edu.

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NDSEG Fellowship Application Writing Support

The Graduate School is offering writing support to assist graduate students who wish to apply for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship.

The fellowship provides a $43,200 annual stipend plus health insurance. Applications are due Nov. 1.

For details, including eligibility information, visit the NDSEG Fellowship Program website and the About NDSEG page.

If your academic unit has students who may be eligible for this fellowship, please refer them to Sarah Isaacson at sisaacso@mtu.edu.

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Financial Consulting with TIAA

Making decisions about your money can feel difficult, especially when it comes to retirement. But you don’t have to go it alone — especially since access to financial consulting is included as part of your retirement plan. Consulting sessions will help you determine whether you’re saving enough, invested appropriately and on track.

Matthew Bunch from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech's campus for one-on-one sessions from Oct. 7 through Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Bunch is scheduled at the following locations: 

• Monday, Oct. 7 — Lakeshore Center 201
• Tuesday, Oct. 8 — MUB Datolite Room
• Wednesday, Oct. 9 — MUB Datolite Room
• Thursday, Oct. 10 — Lakeshore Center 201

RSVP today, as space is limited. You can register for financial consulting sessions with TIAA directly by logging in to your TIAA or guest account, then searching for "Michigan Tech" in the Institution field. When asked how you would like to meet, select "In Person at My Employer."

You can also register for a meeting by calling TIAA at 800-732-8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

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EPSSI Seminar with Jiwen Fan

Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) guest Jiwen Fan, deputy division director of the Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, will give a talk on Monday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m. in M&M U113.

Fan's talk is titled "Impacts of Environmental Changes on Severe Convective Storms and Climate."

For additional information on the seminar, visit the EPSSI Seminar Series webpage.

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New Musical Scales for Synthesizer from MTU's Mathematics and Music Lab

Last week, the MTU Mathematics and Music Lab introduced a line of free, open-source plug-ins for VCV Rack software modular synthesizer, which allow musicians and composers to play new musical scales tuned to mathematical functions. The Mathematics and Music Lab (MML) is an interdisciplinary collaboration managed by Tech faculty members Michael G. Maxwell (VPA) and Robert Schneider (Math) that involves undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, artists and industry collaborators. The plug-ins were coded primarily by Department of Mathematical Sciences M.S. student Cody McCarthy. You can find the MML synthesizer plug-ins at the VCV website.

Maxwell and Schneider debuted the new line of plug-ins last weekend, Sept. 6-8, at the Knobcon international synthesizer conference in Chicago. In addition, Maxwell debuted a new electronic composition "Transforming Solace," released Sept. 6 on Athens, Georgia, independent label Cloud Recordings, that uses two of the new MML plug-ins. Maxwell's generative composition incorporates mathematical musical scales invented by the MML. You can hear "Transforming Solace" online through Cloud Recordings.

The goals of the MML are to produce futuristic works of music and installation art, to explore and extend music theory using ideas from mathematics, to invent new audio hardware and software to bring those projects to life — and to promote the fusion of performing arts and mathematics that is uniquely possible at Michigan Tech, a school with robust programs in both areas. Maxwell and Schneider founded the MML on their first day working at Tech, when they met at faculty orientation and found a common interest in experimental music. Maxwell is a composer, electronic musician and audio engineer; research mathematician Schneider was formerly a professional composer-musician-engineer who invented a non-Pythagorean musical scale based on logarithms that inspired the line of plug-ins. MML is currently collaborating with computer scientists from the Michigan Tech's Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) and Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) to develop another mathematical-musical plug-in that produces reverbs generated by artificial intelligence.

The MML Function-Based Quantizer development team is:

• Michael G. Maxwell (VPA) and Robert Schneider (Math) — project design
• M.S. student Cody McCarthy (Math) — lead programmer
• University of Georgia M.S. student Maxwell Schneider and Georgia Southern University professor Andrew V. Sills — mathematical formulation and additional programming
• Athens, Georgia, artist Joshua Pfeffer — graphics

You can read the MML team's paper describing the mathematics of the VCV Rack modules in Tech's student computer science journal Infinite Loop.

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

that thing between my teeth is my foot Exhibit - Michigan Tech Art

Monday, September 16, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Art Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Douglas Degges is presenting two parallel artistic explorations in the Rozsa A-Space Gallery. Since the fall of 2019, Degges has been creating...

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Georgia-Pacific On Campus

Monday, September 16, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Georgia-Pacific will be outside the library on Monday, Sept. 16th. Stop by and see what a career at Georgia-Pacific might look like for you. You might even get some free...

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Hot Cocoa/Lemonade Handout

Monday, September 16, 1–3 p.m. | Fisher Rock Garden

Come join us and keep cool or warm (weather dependent) and learn about who Christ is in the Fisher Rock Garden

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From Homes to Horizon: Advancing Air Quality Measurement with Improved Data and NextGeneration Sensors

Monday, September 16, 3 p.m. | Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), 202

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar Tanvir Khan, Ph.D., Senior Research Engineer, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) Abstract: This seminar will...

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Boys' Basketball Little Huskies League

Monday, September 16, 4–6 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Gym

This league is open to boys entering grades 2 - 5 as of Fall 2024. Learning skills, working as a team, and having fun: that’s Michigan Tech’s Boys’ Basketball Little Huskies...

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EPSSI Seminar: Dr. Jiwen Fan

Monday, September 16, 4–5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), Room U113

This event will be held in M&M U113. Dr. Jiwen Fan the Deputy Division Director of the Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory will give a talk on the...

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Stammtisch

Monday, September 16, 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120C HDMZ

Please join us for German conversation, snacks, games, and more! All levels of German language proficiency are welcome.

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International Students: What to Expect at Career Fair

Monday, September 16, 5–6 p.m. | Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, Dow Room 642

Prepare for career fair, how to find companies and talk to them about CPT and OPT.

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Unlocking Success: Essential Employable Skills for Today's Competitive Job Market

Monday, September 16, 5 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 722

Gain insights into essential employable skills from industry leader Bob Doyle to boost your career potential. Join the Pavlis Honors College for an engaging conversation with...

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Unlocking Success: Essential Skill for a Competitive Job Market

Monday, September 16, 5–7 p.m. | Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), Pavlis Honors College - 722

Join the Pavlis Honors College for an engaging conversation with Bob Doyle, President and CEO of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), as he shares...

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Parent & Child Aquatics - Session 1

Monday, September 16, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Parent & Child Aquatics levels are being offered at the SDC Pool for ages 6 months to 3 years old. A...

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Preschool Aquatics - Session 1

Monday, September 16, 5:10–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Come make a splash this in Huskies Group Swim Lessons! American Red Cross Preschool Aquatics levels are being offered at the SDC Pool for ages 4 to 5 years old. Space will...

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Healthy Relationships - One Love

Monday, September 16, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Library 244

This is a 90-minute informational session about what Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships look like. Using material from the One Love Foundation. One Love Foundation is a...