January 22, 2025

Hundreds of extraordinary high school students are visiting Michigan Tech this month. Recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements, they’re contenders for the Michigan Tech Leading Scholar Award. Ruby Walker knows what that feels like.

“Going into the competition, I can’t lie — I was nervous. But I thrive off of the adrenaline in situations like that,” said the second-year marketing major, who won a full four-year scholarship in 2023. “I knew the judges would be able to see through me if I tried to be anything but myself, so I just tried to be the most authentic version of myself possible. The wonderful thing about the competition is that your peers are in the same boat as you and that makes it especially easy to make friends. I’m still friends with some of the people I met that day.”

Walker shares what it was like to compete for Michigan Tech’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship, what's happened since, and what’s next on her horizon in a Q&A on Stories from Husky Nation.

Applications for Summer 2025 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on March 5 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Must be a Ph.D. student.
2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a Finishing Fellow.
3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a Finishing Fellowship.
4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
5. Must not hold a final oral examination ("defense") prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to Ph.D. candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding Ph.D. candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in the Michigan Tech Strategic Plan.

The Graduate School anticipates funding up to 10 fellowships, with support ranging from $2,000 to full support (stipend plus tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Benefits Services would like to remind Michigan Tech employees that if they would like to transfer their health savings account (HSA) balance currently at Health Equity to their new HSA account at WEX, they will need to submit the HSA Transfer Form to Health Equity.

For the first 90 days of 2025, WEX will provide an individual $25 credit equal to Health Equity's account closure fee for each employee who transfers their balance from Health Equity, as long as the employee has a positive balance of at least $500 at the time of transfer.

The transfer form can be faxed to 801-846-2929 or mailed to the following address:

Health Equity Attn Operations
P.O. Box 14374
Lexington, KY 40512

The form can also be submitted through Health Equity's online portal:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click "Support" in the menu bar, and select "Health Savings Account" in the pop-up.
3. From the support options, click "Fill out a Form."
4. On the Forms page, use the "Upload a secure form or document" option to submit the transfer form PDF.

The Marine Research Assets Facility (MRAF) will host a facility forum from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Great Lakes Research Center in GLRC 202. University researchers are encouraged to attend.

Join MRAF staff and other researchers from across campus for lunch and brief presentations illustrating how the facility and its staff and extensive catalog of marine assets is supporting their research. Take this opportunity to share your needs and challenges with our staff to help steer and prioritize future acquisitions and expand our support capabilities.

MRAF technical staff will be available to discuss how they can help researchers with project scoping, proposal development, budget estimates, field efforts, data analysis and reporting. Afterward, tour the following MRAF facilities:

• Marine Engineering Laboratory
• Boathouse and collection of research and survey vessels
• Autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUVs/ASVs)
• Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
• Side-scan sonar systems
• Extensive inventory of sampling and support equipment

Lunch will be provided. Please submit your RSVP and direct any questions to Jamey Anderson at jameya@mtu.edu.

The 2025 Spring Career Fair will be held on Jan. 28 at the Student Development Complex. We are excited about the many opportunities the Career Fair provides our students. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we appreciate your cooperation and patience as we prepare for this great event.

Registration for students is open on Handshake. Career Services is hosting a number of prep workshops for students throughout the month of January. More details can be found on Handshake and the Career Services website, and will be sent weekly via Handshake email.

This Valentine’s Day, trade roses for red cells and candy hearts for hemoglobin. Order of Omega and Student Leadership and Involvement invite the community to share the love by donating blood at our upcoming Heartfelt Blood Drive. Each donation helps save up to three lives, making your contribution the most heartfelt gesture of the season.

Whether you’re single, coupled or somewhere in between, you can be someone’s hero. Share the love by bringing a friend, family member or partner to donate alongside you.

Let’s make this Valentine’s Day one to remember — not just for chocolates and roses, but for the lives we save together.

Event Details:

• What: Heartfelt Blood Drive
• When: Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day
• Where: Memorial Union Building Ballroom

How to Sign Up
The American Red Cross recommends everyone make an appointment. Sign up today online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

How to Prepare
Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Please bring a photo ID.

The Husky Closet Collective is working to provide students with gently worn business clothing to assist students in preparing for Career Fair and other career opportunities. In order to provide as many options for students as possible, we need to secure donations of professional clothing and shoes. We will be accepting donations of gently worn, clean business clothing through Wednesday, Jan. 29. Donated items will be available to all Michigan Tech students at no cost.

While we will accept any new or gently used professional items, we do have some high-priority items:

• Men’s shoes
• Men’s suit coats
• Men’s dress shirts
• Men’s dress pants (size 32 and smaller)
• Ties
• Women’s size small tops
• Women’s size 0-6 dress pants

Donation bins are located inside the main entrance of Wadsworth Hall.

Questions? Email huskycloset@mtu.edu.

Come make a splash with Michigan Tech Aquatics’ inflatable pool obstacle course called the WIBIT! You can test your individual skills on the course or challenge a friend to a race across the obstacles.

Register for the Next WIBIT Session.

The course is set up in the deep water of the SDC Pool and requires users to be able to pass our swim test. A full list of WIBIT rules and swim test options as well as featured obstacle combinations can be found on the WIBIT page on the Michigan Tech Recreation website.

WIBIT Dates:

• Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 5, from 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 9, from 5-8 p.m.

The event is open to current MTU students and SDC Access Pass holders (minimum one-month). Student/Access Pass IDs are required upon entry (no pre-registration required).

Not a current student or SDC Access Pass holder? Purchase a WIBIT Wednesday Pass. Capacity is limited. Receipt is required upon entry. Completion of a waiver and concussion awareness form is also required. No SDC day passes or action passes will be accepted for admission.

Featured WIBIT pieces include:

• The Step — This piece allows users to climb up onto the course.
• The Cliff — Users must navigate either side of a slope using the handles and their balancing skills.
• The Bridge — Users must navigate up and over an arched structure without falling through.
• The Slope — Users must climb up a six-foot wall that leads to a slide into the pool water below!
• The Base — Users must make their way across a horizontal surface. Be careful how fast you move as it can get slippery!
• V-Connect — Users must use limited footing space to navigate across the horizontal structure.

See you at the pool!

The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) would like to invite you to attend the seminar given by the first department chair candidate.

A research seminar will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, in GLRC 202.

The Department of Social Sciences (SS) is pleased to be hosting candidates for on-campus interviews for the position of department chair.

The second of five candidates, Thomas Pearson, professor of anthropology, Social Science Department, University of Wisconsin-Stout, will present a department leadership seminar tomorrow, Jan. 23, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Admin 404.

Pearson will also present a research seminar on Friday, Jan. 24, from 12-12:45 p.m. in AOB 201. The research seminar is titled “From Extractivism to Toxic Heritage: Ethnography in a Time of Crisis."

All members of the Michigan Tech community are welcome to attend. Both presentations are also available on Zoom.

Join the SS Department Chair Seminar on Zoom.

Editor's note: The seminar date has been updated due to a travel delay.

Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) tenure-track faculty candidate Jiannan Li will give a research seminar tomorrow, Jan. 23, at 8:30 a.m. in Chem Sci 215 in person only.

The title of Li’s talk is “Hybrid bioprinting (Hybprinting) for multi-functional interface engineering.”

The talk will discuss leveraging the Hybprinter to effectively recapitulate tissue interfaces, offering novel opportunities for applications in multi-tissue engineering, particularly bone-soft tissue engineering.

Read Li’s abstract at the University Events Calendar.

Please join the Department of Computer Science (CS) on Monday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. in Rekhi G005 for a research presentation by tenure-track faculty candidate Chongzhou Fang, following the social hour in Rekhi 218 (coffee and snacks).

The title of Fang's presentation is "Cloud System Security: From Cloud Orchestration to Hardware Attacks."

From the abstract:
In recent decades, cloud computing has profoundly changed our lives, providing the foundational infrastructure that supports countless applications. However, these shared environments are vulnerable to various hardware-based attacks, including microarchitectural side-channel attacks initiated by malicious users. Such exploitable vulnerabilities can be found across the entire cloud hierarchy, from resource orchestration software to the underlying heterogeneous hardware.

In this presentation, I will discuss my recent discoveries of vulnerabilities in modern cloud systems, examining how these security issues can be identified, evaluated, and mitigated. I will also outline my vision for building secure computing environments in an era of increasingly diverse AI applications and flexible computing resources.

Fang is a final-year Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Davis. He received his B.Eng. degree in information science from Southeast University, China, and joined UC Davis in 2020. His research interests lie in the broad field of system security, including cloud scheduler security, side-channel attack and defense in heterogeneous computing environments, and the application of emerging AI technologies in system security. He has published peer-reviewed papers at security and hardware venues such as Usenix Security, ACM CCS, NDSS and DAC, and he received an award at the CSAW Applied Research Competition for his work in cloud FPGA security.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is hosting a seminar presented by Hamid Reza Bakhsheshi-Rad tomorrow, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. in M&M 610.

Bakhsheshi-Rad will present "Development of Biodegradable Magnesium-based Materials for Orthopedic Applications."

From the abstract:
Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have significant potential for use in orthopedic applications where temporary implants are needed. They are also employed as bone substitute materials due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties that resemble those of natural bone, and biodegradability. Mg is an essential element in the human body and is the fourth most abundant component in human serum. However, the clinical application of Mg is limited because of its relatively poor corrosion resistance, rapid degradation rate, and the evolution of hydrogen gas in body fluids. These factors can lead to a decline in the mechanical properties of pure Mg before new tissues have properly healed. To improve the characteristics of Mg for implant applications, approaches such as alloying, biocomposite preparation, and surface modification are utilized. This presentation critically reviews various Mg-based alloys, their fabrication methods, and surface treatment processes for developing biomedical implants. Additionally, it highlights potential applications and future research developments related to Mg-based alloys. The existing successes in this field are discussed, and areas for future investigation are identified to enhance the utilization of degradable Mg-based biocomposites.

Bakhsheshi-Rad earned his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2013. He is an associate professor in the Department of Materials Engineering at Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran. His H-index is 58, and according to Google Scholar, his articles have been cited nearly 9,600 times. His research interests include new biodegradable magnesium and zinc and their alloys, additive manufacturing and scaffolds for biomedical applications, surface modification, and nanocomposites.

AmirHossein Zareihassangheshlaghi will present a seminar tomorrow, Jan. 23, from 2-3 p.m. in Chem Sci 104.

Zareihassangheshlaghi's presentation is titled "Synthesis of Zintl Phase Metal Silicide Thermoelectric Materials in Magnesium/Zinc Flux."

From the abstract:
The search for efficient thermoelectric materials is critical for the advancement of energy conversion technologies. In this presentation, Mr. Amir Zarei will discuss his research on the synthesis of Zintl phase metal silicides using the novel magnesium/zinc flux approach. This method has proven to be particularly effective in creating materials with complex crystal structures and unique electronic properties that are essential for enhancing thermoelectric performance.

Mr. Zarei's research emphasizes the strategic manipulation of site mixing and elemental substitution within the crystal lattice to optimize thermal and electrical conductivity with more emphasis on thermal lattice conductivity as a crucial path to enhance zT on this class of materials. The study investigates various compositions of barium and strontium mixed with magnesium in the flux to synthesize new compounds with potential applications in power generation and cooling systems. By adjusting the stoichiometric ratios and exploring different crystalline structures, this research has identified key parameters that significantly influence the thermoelectric properties of the resulting materials and open doors for further investigations.

Zarei is an accomplished Ph.D. student in materials chemistry and inorganic at Florida State University. His doctoral research is primarily focused on the synthesis of advanced materials for thermoelectric energy conversion, under the guidance of Susan Latturner. His work has been funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and has led to high-impact publication.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Zarei is deeply committed to the scientific community at FSU, serving as the vice president of the ChemiNoles Graduate Student Association. He plays a pivotal role in supporting developmental, outreach and advocacy initiatives for chemistry graduate students. His previous academic and research experiences span multiple institutions, including significant projects on heterogeneous catalysis and energy storage materials at Leipzig University, Germany, which have equipped him with a diverse skill set and a broad perspective on material sciences. Zarei received his undergraduate degree in applied chemistry from University of Tabriz.

The next Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Graduate Seminar Speaker will present at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 23, in EERC 103.

Mufaddel Dahodwala will present “Decarbonization through Hybrids.”

Dahodwala is a business leader with experience in leading new initiatives and implementing advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency of powertrain solutions for the mobility industry, leading large and complex powertrain development projects, and leading the Powertrain division for KPIT Technologies Inc. for the Americas, including conventional and electrified applications.

The Daily Mining Gazette and WLUC TV6 covered Michigan Tech’s upcoming presentation of the Board of Trustees Silver Medal to late alumnus Tony Esposito ’67. His family will accept the award during a pregame ceremony on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Michigan Tech hockey game against Northern Michigan. The award was announced Monday by Michigan Tech News.

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The Daily Mining Gazette and WLUC TV6 covered Michigan Tech’s 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The event included a keynote address by author and Finlandia alum Schwartzen Precil and the presentation of the Bayard Rustin Award to Robert Handler (ChE) by the Michigan Tech chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Handler, Wayne Gersie (EB) and senior Brett Hamilton (electrical engineering) were quoted by the DMG.

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Lindsay Hiltunen (VPOL) was quoted by My UP Now and the Keweenaw Report in stories about Sauna Week in the Copper Country. Hiltunen discussed the sauna tradition’s role in community bonding and its long-standing significance in the region.

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The Daily Mining Gazette quoted Michigan Tech students Lauren Gray, Caelan Mead-O’Brien and Lexi Tater in a story about the Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action (KYCA) and the organization’s request that the University consider changes to its financial investments.

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DBusiness mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Michigan Potash & Salt Company’s $1.26 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, highlighting the University’s partnership with the company and other local universities to develop a skilled workforce for the new facility in Osceola County.

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Essentially Sports mentioned Michigan Tech alum Greg Ives ‘03 (AAS Mechanical Engineering) in a story about his role as crew chief for Justin Allgaier at the Daytona 500.

CTL and IDEAhub Lunch and Learn

Make plans to attend a Lunch and Learn hosted by the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning and IDEAhub at Michigan Tech.

• When: Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 12-1 p.m.
• Where: Memorial Union - Ballroom A

Join IDEAhub leadership and participants from IDEAhub’s summer course redesign workshop. Find inspiration in faculty stories about their “small bite” course innovations and learn more about how to “level up” your teaching using IDEAhub tools for innovation.

Register to Attend the Lunch and Learn.

For questions or request any accommodations, please contact the CTL at 906-487-2275 or ctl@mtu.edu.

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Health Research Institute Hosting NIH R01 Transition Panel

As Michigan Tech's National Institutes of Health (NIH) award portfolio continues to grow, the University will eventually become ineligible to receive NIH R15 grants. To prepare for this transition, the Health Research Institute (HRI) will be hosting a panel addressing Michigan Tech's move from being an NIH R15-eligible institution to one focused on NIH R01 grants.

Membership in the institute is not required to attend. The panel will be held in MUB Alumni Lounge A today, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please email hgschmit@mtu.edu.

We hope to see you there!

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Documentary Screening: 'All The Little Things'

Please join the Van Pelt and Opie Library and Thomas Werner, professor of genetics and developmental biology of the Department of Biological Sciences, in celebrating the release of Daniel Shaykevich's documentary film, “All The Little Things.”

The documentary follows Werner as he moves out of the lab in a quest to make an encyclopedia documenting all the fruit fly species in North America.

The library will screen the film today, Jan. 22, in the Library East Reading Room. Opening remarks will begin at 2 p.m. with a Q&A to follow the film. Popcorn will be served.

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Volunteer Opportunity: Spring Career Fair

Spring Career Fair will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 12-5 p.m., and Career Services is looking for volunteers from the Michigan Tech community to help make this event a success!

We have a variety of shifts, tasks and roles available, so there’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved. Your support is essential in creating a meaningful experience for our students and employers — and it plays a pivotal role in the future success of many Huskies.

If you’re able to assist, please visit the Spring Career Fair Volunteer Sign-Up Form to select a shift that works for you.

Thank you for your time, energy and commitment. We couldn’t do it without you!

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This Week's C-Cubed Luncheon Menu

Carved and Crafted Catering at Michigan Technological University invites faculty, staff, and their guests to the C-Cubed Luncheon, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107).

Menu for Thursday, Jan. 23:

• Char Siu Pork Loin (AG)
• Thai Basil Tofu (VG) (PR)
• Asian Vegetable Stir Fry (VG)
• Vegetable Spring Roll
• Asian Salad (VG)
• Basmati Rice (VG) (AG)

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 and tea are available free to all attendees. All vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items on the buffet are labeled for easy identification. Meals are for dine-in only, and personal containers and to-go meals are not permitted.

The buffet lunch is $15.50 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union Office (MUB 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.

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

Resume Workshop and Interview Prep

Wednesday, January 22, 12–1 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Students will learn how to develop a quality, properly formatted, and ATS-compatible resume. In addition, Advice and tips will be provided on how to impress employers during...

SS Department Chair Candidate Seminars with Christoph Stefes

Wednesday, January 22, 12:00–12:45 p.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), 201

The Department of Social Sciences (SS) is pleased to be hosting candidates for on-campus interviews for the position of Department Chair. The first of five candidates,...

Kimberly-Clark Office Hours

Wednesday, January 22, 1–4 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 220 Career Services

Would you like some career guidance from a friendly face' The corporate recruiters from Kimberly-Clark will be holding walk-in office hours in Career Services. Feel free to...

Documentary Screening: All The Little Things

Wednesday, January 22, 2:00–3:30 p.m. | J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, East Reading Room

Please join the Van Pelt and Opie Library and Thomas Werner, Professor of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Department of Biological Sciences in celebrating the...

Resume Workshop and Interview Prep

Wednesday, January 22, 4–5 p.m.

Students will learn how to develop a quality, properly formatted, and ATS-compatible resume. In addition, Advice and tips will be provided on how to impress employers during...

Weekly Meeting

Wednesday, January 22, 5–6 p.m. | Fourth Floor of the MEEM

We meet on the fourth floor of the MEEM to discuss plans for the week and work on on going projects. All are welcome to attend.

Volleyball Middle School Development League

Wednesday, January 22, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multipurpose Room

A four-week developmental program for middle school girls in grades 6, 7, & 8 to learn and improve their skills in preparation for the upcoming interscholastic season. This...