Graduate School Newsblog

“I am truly honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship. I would like to sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this recognition and support as I complete my Ph.D. studies.

I am a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Materials Science. My research focuses on advancing environmental chemistry through innovative approaches to greenhouse gas utilization, plastics recycling, photocatalysis, supercapacitors, and carbon materials. I am passionate about developing solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

During my doctoral studies, I have published ten peer-reviewed papers, nine of which I authored as first author. These publications reflect my commitment to conducting independent, high-quality research and contributing valuable insights to the scientific community. My work is characterized by creativity, technical rigor, and a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Beyond research, I take pride in fostering collaboration and mentorship within my lab. I have enjoyed working closely with interdisciplinary teams and guiding younger students as they begin their own research journeys. Balancing mentorship with my own projects has been a rewarding part of my graduate experience.

Looking ahead, I am committed to pursuing a career in academia. My goal is to become a professor at a leading university, where I can continue my research in environmental chemistry and help train the next generation of scientists. With a solid research foundation and a vision for addressing critical environmental issues, I am excited to contribute to the field as both a researcher and an educator.”

“I am honored to receive the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I extend my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Zhanping You, for his guidance and support, as well as to the faculty and staff of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering.

My research focuses on analyzing the effects of aging on asphalt binder performance by characterizing the chemical properties and mechanical performance of recycled rubber asphalt binder and mixtures. In the United States, approximately 300 million waste tires are produced each year, and these tires are non-biodegradable. Utilizing waste tires in asphalt pavement offers an environmentally sustainable solution for their disposal.

During my time at Michigan Tech, I have had numerous opportunities to develop my leadership and academic skills. I have served as a graduate student government representative for my department, volunteered as a facilitator for Orientation to Graduate Studies and Research, and instructed Prep4Tech, a math course designed for incoming engineering students at Michigan Technological University.

As I approach the final stages of my time at Michigan Tech, I am truly grateful for this fellowship. It will provide essential support in completing my research and advancing my career. I am looking forward to applying the knowledge gained at Michigan Tech in the field of asphalt pavement research.”

“My first sojourn at Michigan Tech took place between 2015 and 2018 where I earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. More recently I have returned to Michigan Tech (2022) to pursue a PhD in Integrative Physiology and further my learning from previous work in Exercise Science (B.S. and M.S.).

My current PhD research focuses on human locomotion over snow and how the use of passive tools (i.e., bicycles, XC-skis) can reduce energy costs and improve performance. For millennia humans have moved on snow for hunting, migration, exploration, and more recently sport. Human locomotion on snow poses extreme physiological challenge and new knowledge that can guide human movement in these harsh conditions has the potential to increase safety for those who travel long-distances on snow-covered terrain. This includes athletes, polar explorers, expeditionists, and military personnel.

Beyond my academic research at Michigan Tech, I have also had the privilege of teaching several courses as both a graduate teaching assistant and as an instructor. In many ways it is these classroom experiences that I have enjoyed most. Because of the opportunity to work with undergraduate students and foster meaningful connections I now plan to look for a future career at teaching institution where I can focus my efforts on growing the next generation of college students.

Receiving the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship will allow me the time and resources to complete my degree and take the next steps toward my career aspirations. I would like to sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me to receive this Fellowship. I would also like to graciously acknowledge my advisors, Dr. Steven Elmer and Dr. Erich Petushek, for their continued guidance, mentorship and support. Similarly, I would like to thank the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology for their support in my academic journey.

I look forward to working hard over the next semester, successfully completing my degree, and moving into the world to enact positive change.”

I am deeply honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Panel, which provides the dedicated time and support needed to complete the final stages of my PhD in Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering. I am sincerely grateful to my department, my advisors, and the faculty collaborators I have worked with for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my journey at Michigan Tech. Being part of a department with a strong spirit of innovation and collaboration has made this experience especially fulfilling and has continually inspired me to tackle complex problems with confidence.

My research focuses on advancing intelligent transportation systems. I have worked on developing drone-based (UAV) traffic monitoring approaches, building graph neural network models for real-time traffic forecasting, and exploring cooperative adaptive cruise control strategies aimed at maintaining string stability to ensure a smooth, safe flow of connected vehicles without amplifying disturbances. Engaging in these research tasks has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to explore how emerging technologies like drones and AI can make transportation systems safer and more efficient.

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities and encouragement provided by the Finishing Fellowship and the broader academic community, which have been instrumental in my growth and development as a researcher. As I approach the completion of my PhD, I look forward to transitioning into industry, where I hope to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained at Michigan Tech to real-world transportation challenges.

“When I first heard about Michigan Technological University (MTU) at a digital humanities workshop in far-away Leiden, The Netherlands, in 2019, I was intrigued by its growing reputation, but I never imagined I would one day walk its snow-covered campus as a doctoral student. Since arriving here, I have often asked myself: “what happens when a place lives up to the promise of its name?” MTU has answered that question through a welcoming community, inspiring mentorship, and a research environment that fosters both intellectual growth and personal transformation.

At the outset, the Upper Peninsula’s winters were my first challenge. But with time, what seemed daunting turned into a source of joy and reflection. These moments now form some of my fondest memories. The Department of Humanities has been a rich ground for exploring theory in practice. I especially value the hard work of faculty members in communication, rhetorical pedagogy, digital media, and cultural studies. All of which provided solid theoretical foundations for my ongoing dissertation.

My research explores how digital platforms mediate cultural representation and tourist imaginaries. I focus on the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, an Egyptian-Pyramid-themed environment, to examine how tourists, through user reviews on TripAdvisor, and site owners digitally construct or commodify history, identity, and authenticity. The study, utilizing critical discourse analysis and digital humanities tools, examines how language and visual media reinforce or challenge inherited cultural scripts.

I am grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Fall 2025 Finishing Fellowship. This generous support makes it possible for me to fully dedicate my time to completing the final stages of my dissertation without external work-related pressures. I also thank my advisor, Dr. Stefka Hristova, for her guidance and encouragement on the journey so far.

With MTU’s outstanding support structures, it’s clear that this is a place where innovative research flourishes. I have learned to thrive in community, embrace intellectual rigor, and mentor others along the way. I feel honored to hold this Finishing Fellowship as I carve a niche toward contributing to global conversations, completing my dissertation, and preparing for the next chapter.”