February 11, 2025

Lifelong Upper Peninsula resident Justin Miller ’00 (B.S. Forestry) founded Green Timber Consulting Foresters Inc. in 2001 to serve private forestland owners. The company has helped hundreds of landowners, ranging from individuals who own less than 20 acres to industrial landowners and investment organizations with nationwide land holdings.

There are plenty of Huskies helping Green Timber meet its mission. Currently, 10 of Green Timber's 13 employees are Tech graduates.

"The education and experiences I acquired at Michigan Tech have provided a base that I have used to build my career," said Miller. He intends for Green Timber to continue providing a place for College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science students to do the same.

Read about Green Timber's campus and community involvement in the 2024 Re:Generations Magazine.

In January, the Graduate School published the work of 48 fall 2024 graduates — 20 Ph.D. and 28 master’s degree recipients — and their faculty advisors. Downloads of these documents from our online repository, Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech, are already occurring, and you can see who is utilizing the research of our alumni and dedicated professors by clicking on the link.

A recent snapshot of readership in December 2024 showed once again that we are our own best customer: MTU tallied 134 downloads. While educational institutions accounted for 38% of our downloads, commercial entities accounted for 55%. The U.S., China and India are 1-2-3 in total downloads by country and, unsurprisingly, Finland ranks No. 6!

The biggest news is that we have surpassed 2 million downloads of Tech scholarship catalogued since 2012!

Visit the Grad School website for step-by-step directions to help make the approval of your graduate submission a piece of cake.

The next opportunity for students and staff to become Mental Health First Aid Certified be a two-day training held on March 18 and March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. This training assists individuals with recognizing signs and symptoms of someone experiencing a mental health crisis and understanding how to respond and/or get them connected to appropriate resources.

Two hours of pre-work are required through online modules ahead of the in-person training dates. The deadline to sign up is March 14 and the session is limited to 30 participants. Cost for participants is $55 and includes all required materials for the course. Sign up today using the Mental Health First Aid registration form.

Please direct any questions to Sarah Dowd at sedowd@mtu.edu.

The University Senate will convene Meeting 712 at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, in Chem Sci 102.

Those within the University community unable to attend in person have the option to attend the University Senate meeting via Zoom. Please note: You will need to log in to your MTU Zoom account to join the virtual meeting.

Senators are responsible for making their constituents aware of the agenda for this meeting. Senators who are unable to attend should arrange for their alternates to attend in their place.

View the agenda to Meeting 712.

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

The second of three candidates will present a department leadership seminar on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 11-11:50 a.m. in Fisher 325 and also via Zoom.

Join the Math Leadership Seminar on Zoom.

The candidate will also present a research seminar titled "Spatiotemporal patterns of activity in high-dimensional brain data and in neural field models” on Friday, Feb. 14, from 11-11:50 a.m. in Fisher 325 and also via Zoom.

Join the Math Research Seminar on Zoom.

All members of the Michigan Tech community are welcome to attend.

Are you curious about how drones are transforming remote sensing? Join the DataSENSE NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) project at Michigan Tech for an exciting two-hour workshop where we will explore drones' fascinating applications in environmental monitoring and research.

The workshop will be presented by Ashraf Saleem, assistant professor of applied computing and director of the Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab. Participation is limited to the first 25 to register! A confirmation email will be sent to the first registrants.

Sign Up for the Workshop.

Workshop Details:

• What: “Exploring Drones for Remote Sensing: Airborne and Underwater Applications” Workshop
• When: Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Where: Rekhi G005
• Who Should Attend: This workshop is perfect for students, researchers and anyone interested in cutting-edge drone technology and its applications in environmental monitoring, renewable energy and underwater exploration.

What You’ll Learn:

• Drone Technology Basics: This course explores the key components and capabilities of small-flying, heavy-lifting and underwater drones.
• Applications in Research: Learn how drones are revolutionizing fields like:
  • Snow Detection on Solar Panels: Using drones and machine learning to enhance solar energy efficiency.
  • Underwater Imaging: Overcoming challenges in aquatic environments with advanced image enhancement techniques.
• Hands-On Demonstration: Watch live demonstrations of both airborne and underwater drones.

The next guest speaker in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Seminar Series will present on Friday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. in Chem Sci 104 and virtually via Zoom.

Join the BioMed Seminar on Zoom.

Aytuğ Gençoğlu from the Department of Chemical Engineering will present "Microfluidics: In Vitro Tools for the Cell to Tissue Scale."

Read Gençoğlu’s abstract and bio at the University Events Calendar.

Thursday, Feb. 13
• Women's Basketball vs. Ferris State, 5:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Men's Basketball vs. Ferris State, 7:30 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege

Friday, Feb. 14
• Tennis at Missouri-St. Louis
• Hockey at Augustana, 8:07 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ and Midco Sports Plus

Saturday, Feb. 15
• Tennis at Illinois Springfield
• Nordic Skiing hosts CCSA Championships & GLD CXC Cup Finale, 11 a.m. at Tech Trails
• Women's Basketball vs. Lake Superior State, Noon at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Men's Basketball vs. Lake Superior State, 2 p.m. at SDC Gym on Mix 93 WKMJ & FloCollege
• Hockey at Augustana, 7:07 p.m. on Mix 93 WKMJ and Midco Sports Plus

Sunday, Feb. 16
• Nordic Skiing hosts CCSA Championships & GLD CXC Cup Finale, 9:30 a.m. at Tech Trails

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Athletics News
Read more in the MTU Athletics weekly update.

Hayden Henderson (GLRC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $145,000 research and development contract from the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS).

The project is titled "Sensor-Centric Coastal Process Evaluation (SCoPE)."

Kyle Rubin (URE) was quoted by Spartan Newsroom, the Mining Journal and the Iron Mountain Daily News in stories about standardized tests remaining optional for Michigan’s four-year colleges and universities for fall 2025.

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MLive mentioned Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival, highlighting Phi Kappa Tau’s winning snow statue, “In Search of a Maiden So Fair, Our Hero Enters the Dragon’s Lair.” Additionally, WLUC TV6 featured MTU students winning trophies for their snow statues, including Sigma Tau Gamma and Alpha Gamma Delta, who placed first in the co-ed division. MTU undergraduate Nicholas Pierce (electrical engineering) was quoted by TV6. The Daily Mining Gazette also covered the snow statue winners.

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WLUC TV6 and the Soo Leader mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about St. Albert the Great University Parish’s 10th annual Our Lady of the Snows ice chapel at Winter Carnival. Ph.D. student Grace Griffin (industrial heritage and archaeology) was quoted by TV6 about the challenges and joys of constructing the chapel.

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WLUC TV6 quoted Michigan Tech Ph.D. student Kamyab Yazdi (applied computing) in a story about football fans gathering at the Keweenaw Brewing Company to watch Super Bowl LIX. A group of Michigan Tech graduate students attended, watching their first-ever American football game.

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The Daily Mining Gazette covered Michigan Tech hockey’s first-year goaltender Ryan Manzella being named the Hockey Commissioners Association Men’s National Rookie of the Month for January.

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The Escanaba Daily Press mentioned Michigan Tech’s Winter Carnival in a story about winter tourism rebounding in the Upper Peninsula after a lackluster 2024. The article highlighted how events like Winter Carnival draw visitors, with snowmobilers, skiers and other winter enthusiasts heading to areas with good snow conditions.

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SEEN Magazine mentioned Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley Ski Area in a guide to ski and snowboard resorts in Michigan. The article highlighted Mont Ripley as a great option for beginners, noting its well-maintained runs, affordable tickets and proximity to MTU.

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Traverse City’s Ticker mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge — part of the larger initiative to create the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, which is set to break ground in November. MTU is a partner in the center’s creation.

Husky Emergency Assistance Funds Available

The Husky Emergency Assistance Fund (HEAF) was established to help members of our campus community who are experiencing financial hardship. All current students, faculty and staff who have incurred crisis or emergency-related expenses and can demonstrate need are welcome to apply. A request can be made to cover expenses that are basic needs, such as food, shelter, utilities or health care. The amount granted cannot exceed $500 once per calendar year.

HEAF consists of two unique funds, one for students and one for faculty and staff, and the amount of financial assistance is determined by two separate committees. For faculty and staff, if funding is approved, it does not need to be repaid; however, this gift is considered taxable income by the IRS.

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.

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Mentoring and Advising Tools for Graduate Faculty

Mentoring and advising graduate students is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles for graduate faculty. The Graduate School successfully launched an addition to the Advisor Recommendation form last fall to help make that job a little easier.

This form provides a structured framework for meaningful conversations between advisors and students. It encourages discussions about work styles, clarifies career goals and helps establish shared expectations. While not mandatory for existing advisor-student relationships, we strongly encourage faculty to review the form with all their advisees.

By regularly revisiting the topics covered in this form, both students and advisors can ensure their plans remain aligned as students progress through their degree programs.

The Graduate School is committed to fostering a supportive and successful graduate student experience. We believe this will be a valuable resource for both faculty and students and have compiled additional resources for faculty online. Your feedback is always welcome.

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Can the Citation: A Donation Drive for HuskyFAN

Do you have a parking citation that hasn’t been paid? Looking for a way to get rid of that citation without paying? We have a solution for you that also helps our campus community. Student Affairs, the Husky Food Access Network and Transportation Services have teamed up to "can" your citations and support the HuskyFAN food pantry!

During the Can the Citation event, you can donate non-expired, nonperishable food items or personal care items to the HuskyFAN to remove a parking citation from your account.

Donation Information:

• One Full Brown Grocery Bag = $25 citation removed from your account.
• Eight 12 oz. Cans = $25 citation removed from your account.
• Four 12 oz. Cans = $10 citation removed from your account.

Donations are being accepted at the Dean of Students Office in the Administration Building now. The donation period will end on Feb. 23.

All who donate will be entered into a parking pass raffle.

While numerous donations are appreciated, a maximum of three citations are eligible for removal from your account during the Can the Citation donation period.

Questions can be directed to deanofstudents@mtu.edu. Visit the HuskyFAN website today!

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'Sabbatical Leaves: Purpose, Planning and Paying' Workshop

The Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will host a workshop focused on planning a sabbatical leave on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 9:30-11 a.m. The event will take place in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom B1 and B2.

This will be a discussion-based session with a panel of faculty members who have recently completed a sabbatical. The discussion will focus on planning and funding a sabbatical. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

All faculty are welcome; those who plan to apply for a sabbatical in the next couple of years are especially encouraged to attend.

Questions can be directed to Shari Stockero, assistant provost for faculty development, at stockero@mtu.edu.

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Volunteer Judges Needed for Graduate Research Colloquium 2025

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is pleased to announce its annual Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC), which will be held on March 25 and March 26. The GRC offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research across the campus community and work on their presentation skills for upcoming conferences. Students can give oral presentations, present posters or do both.

We hereby kindly request that interested faculty and staff volunteer to serve as judges in this year's GRC.

Oral presentations will happen on March 25 in the MUB Alumni Lounge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while poster presentations will occur on the same day in the Rozsa Center Lobby between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The GRC event will be capped off with the annual GRC Awards Banquet on March 26 at 5 p.m. in the Rozsa Lobby, which all participants and judges are invited to attend.

To register as a judge for GRC 2025, please use our Judge Registration form. For more information and inquiries about the event, visit the GSG website or contact gsg-research@mtu.edu.

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CS Faculty Candidate Presentation with Bo Zhang

Please join the Department of Computer Science (CS) on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m. in Rekhi 214 for a research presentation by tenure-track faculty candidate Bo Zhang, following the social hour in Rekhi 218 (coffee and snacks).

The title of Zhang's presentation is "Coupling Heterogeneous Components into Large-Scale Scientific Workflow."

From the abstract:
Emerging simulations running at extreme scales on leadership-class High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems enable the scientific discoveries that previously were out of reach by producing and analyzing massive volumes of data. Their need to process data more frequently than the temporal resolution of checkpoints in storage, along with the increasing disparity between HPC clusters' floating point operation rate and I/O bandwidth, motivate the use of in situ workflows. Unfortunately, although the extreme-scale computing landscape is increasingly dominated by HPC systems equipped with GPUs, coupled in situ workflows still cannot productively leverage the computing power of GPU-accelerated HPC clusters due to two outstanding heterogeneity challenges: interoperability across heterogeneous execution backends and performance portability. Moreover, recent discussions about the convergence of Hyper-Scale Data centers and High-Performance Computing infrastructure, as well as the emergence of digital twin workflows that incorporate edge devices, introduce unprecedented heterogeneity challenges in cross-site computing. Since in situ workflow consists of several scientific applications as its components that exchange shared data through interconnects, these challenges are not limited to individual components but also extended to the I/O between components. In this talk, I'll introduce an interoperable and portable coupling infrastructure that manages the heterogeneity in hybrid GPU-CPU in situ workflows. Specifically, it (i) automates the on-the-fly data layout conversions for heterogeneous applications to maintain the overall workflow performance, (ii) optimizes the inter-application data movements using GPUDirect RDMA, and (iii) maintains portable inter-application data movement performance across HPC platforms with heterogeneous hardware configuration. In addition, I will also share insights on coupling inter-site scientific workflows across HPC, cloud, and edge and building data-driven control-centric digital twin workflows upon these heterogeneous components.

Zhang is a postdoctoral research associate in the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute at the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 2024 under the supervision of Professor Manish Parashar. He received his bachelor's degree in telecommunications engineering from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications in 2018. His research interests include high-performance computing, extreme-scale data management, in-situ processing and heterogeneous digital twin workflow. In the past five years, he primarily worked on the workflow-level I/O abstraction for GPU-dense supercomputers and the convergence of workflow infrastructure for hyper-scale data centers and HPC centers. He received the 2023 Euro-Par Best Paper Candidate award and the HPCwire 2024 Editors' Choice Awards – Best Use of High Performance Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence for the National Data Platform (NDP) project.

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

Isle Royale Art Exhibition - Michigan Tech Art

Tuesday, February 11, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Rozsa Galleries A-Space

MICHIGAN TECH ART SERIES EVENT Enter into a world of artistic expression inspired by the wilderness of Isle Royale. The artworks showcased in this exhibition have all been...

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Spring 2025 Blood Drive

Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | MUB Ballroom

The Spring 2025 Blood Drive will be on February 11th and 12th from 10 AM until 4 PM in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom. The American Red Cross recommends everyone make...

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PhD Defense: Khatereh Kashmari

Tuesday, February 11, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | R. L. Smith Building (MEEM), 1021

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Advisor: Gregory Odegard MOLECULAR MODELING OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE POLYMER MATRIX

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SS Department Chair Candidate Seminars with Kathy Sherman-Morris

Tuesday, February 11, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Administration and Student Services Building, 404

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

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Husky Transfers: Financial Aid and Orientation Edition

Tuesday, February 11, 3–4 p.m.

During this virtual event, Financial Services will talk through all things financial aid for transfer students. Plus, Orientation staff will join us to share the details of...

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HuskyLEAD - Strategies for Member Engagement & Retention

Tuesday, February 11, 4–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall Room 125

Keeping members engaged and involved is crucial to the success of any group. Without proper engagement, retaining members can become a challenge. Join us to discover proven...

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Rewriting Your Body Narrative - Husky Hour

Tuesday, February 11, 4–5 p.m. | Library East Reading Room

Let's shift the narrative about our body image! Join us for an empowering presentation on body neutrality—a healthy approach to how we view and treat our bodies. Come relax...

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Stammtisch

Tuesday, February 11, 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120C HDMZ

Join us for German conversation and get to know the German-speaking community at Michigan Tech!

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La Peña - Spanish Conversation Hour

Tuesday, February 11, 5–6 p.m. | Walker Arts and Humanities Center, 120A

Join us for our next La Peña Spanish conversation hour! All levels of Spanish are welcome, and you don't need to be taking a Spanish class to participate. Stop by, chat and...

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NCSA General Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 6–7 p.m. | Chem-Sci 102

A weekly meeting where we cover what's going on in the organization, often followed by a guest presenter, then discussion of what's going on in the world of tech.

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Bible Study - John

Tuesday, February 11, 7:00–8:45 p.m. | His House Campus House

Join us as we continue to study the Gospel of John this semester! Who is Jesus? Who did he claim to be? If you are a seasoned Christian or just exploring your...

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Serve The King Main Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 7–9 p.m. | Wads G42W

Want to learn who Christ is? Why we sin? Why the world is in it's current state? Join us as we preach Christ crucified and risen, salvation to all who believe. Pizza...