Graduate School Newsblog

Category: News

Interesting stories about and for our students.

Finishing Fellowship Award – Fall 2026 – Sanan Appapillai

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Sanan Appapillai, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering
Mechanics, 2026

I am incredibly grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me as a recipient of the Finishing Fellowship. This recognition is a major milestone in my academic career, and I want to extend my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Wei Wei, whose mentorship, encouragement, and invaluable insight have guided me throughout my doctoral research.

I earned my Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from BSA Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, India, in 2019, and completed my Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Technical University, Canada, in 2023. Following this, I joined Michigan Tech in Fall of 2024 to pursue my PhD under the supervision of Dr. Wei. My dissertation focuses on the design and optimization of high-entropy perovskite thin films for next-generation solar energy applications. Using advanced manufacturing and structural engineering techniques, I systematically explore multi-element cation and anion mixing to enhance the lattice stability and optoelectronic properties of thin-film solar cells. My work spans chemical solution synthesis, microstructural characterization, and the scale-up of lab-scale solar cells into larger, industrially relevant modules using blade-coating technologies. Through my research, I aim to bridge the gap between idealized laboratory discoveries and commercial, mass-producible clean energy solutions.

Alongside my research, I have had the opportunity to contribute to undergraduate education at Michigan Tech by serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, leading engineering laboratory sections, and mentoring students

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Fall 2026 – Ricardo Jaramillo

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Ricardo Jaramillo, PhD in Forest Science, 2026

My journey to Michigan Technological University began through a collaboration between Michigan Tech and an Ecuadorian university, an opportunity that allowed me to pursue doctoral studies while contributing to research in my home region. Over the course of my PhD, I have developed a deeper understanding of peatland ecology, hydrology, and restoration, particularly within the unique context of the tropical Andes. Working under the guidance of Rod Chimner and Erik Lilleskov has been an invaluable experience. Their mentorship has not only provided scientific direction and support but has also encouraged me to develop my own research questions and pursue independent ideas, helping me grow as both a researcher and a professional.

My dissertation focuses on addressing key knowledge gaps related to Andean peatlands, ecosystems that are important for biodiversity, carbon storage, and water resources. Through my research, I have been fortunate to visit numerous peatland sites across the Andean region, gaining firsthand experience with the remarkable diversity and complexity of these ecosystems. These experiences have broadened my understanding of peatland functioning and strengthened my commitment to advancing scientific knowledge that is relevant to the environmental challenges and management needs of the region. The opportunity to design and lead my own projects throughout my PhD has been especially rewarding and has greatly enriched my academic and professional development.

What I have valued most about my PhD has been its strong focus on restoration and its direct connection to local communities. My work has allowed me to collaborate with community members, government agencies, and academic institutions to develop and evaluate peatland restoration. Through these partnerships, I have learned the importance of integrating scientific research with local knowledge and stakeholder needs to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes. Receiving this finishing fellowship would provide the support needed to complete my dissertation and finalize the products of my research, enabling me to successfully conclude my PhD and continue contributing to peatland science and restoration in the Andean region.

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Finishing Fellowship – Fall 2026 – Joshua Alele-Beals

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Joshua Alele-Beals, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship from the Graduate School. I sincerely thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this generous support. I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. Charles Wallace, whose mentorship has continually challenged me to think more critically, ask better questions, and pursue research that is both rigorous and meaningful. I also thank my dissertation committee and the Department of Computer Science for their guidance and encouragement throughout my doctoral journey.

I have always been fascinated by using computer science to make complex systems easier for people to understand. That curiosity led me to pursue research in formal methods, where I explore how rigorous computational models can improve the way people interact with statutory law.

Using Michigan’s Clean Slate Law as a case study, my dissertation develops formal representations of statutory law that capture legal requirements with mathematical precision. Building on these models, I created interactive tools that allow users to evaluate expungement eligibility, explore “”what-if”” scenarios, and better understand how the law applies to their circumstances. More recently, I have explored how artificial intelligence can make these tools more accessible by translating natural language into formal queries and generating user-friendly explanations, while the underlying formal model performs all legal reasoning. Through this work, I hope to help expand access to justice by making legal information easier to understand without compromising accuracy.

My time at Michigan Tech has also allowed me to grow as a teacher, researcher, and software engineer. Teaching undergraduate computer science courses and collaborating with faculty and students have reinforced my belief that the best research should not only advance knowledge but also improve people’s lives. I am excited to continue exploring how formal methods can make complex systems more understandable and accessible, wherever they are needed most.

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Graduate Research Fellowship Program – Fall 2026 – Josh Dafoe

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Josh Dafoe, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

In the summer of 2022, I joined the MTU Security and Privacy Lab as an undergraduate researcher. During my undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Computer Science, I was grateful for the opportunity to work on a few different research projects. These projects were centered around using trusted hardware to solve critical security challenges. In particular, we modified the firmware of flash storage devices (called the flash translation layer (FTL)) to support ransomware recovery. Additionally, we use a trusted execution environment in collaboration with the FTL to protect against an untrusted operating system, enabling secure data restoration in the decentralized cloud and software repair on in-vehicle computers.

As I have begun my PhD studies this past year, I am working on a new challenge: designing a new FTL that is programmable while remaining secure. This would allow new FTL techniques to be adopted more easily, with increased co-design along the entire storage stack. Receiving the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship will give me the opportunity to pursue my research with fewer constraints and stronger support.

I am grateful to my research advisor, Dr. Bo Chen, for his guidance over the past few years. His support, openness, and insight have been instrumental in my growth as a researcher. I am also thankful for the professors who have encouraged me throughout my studies and the opportunities Michigan Tech has provided.

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Graduate Research Fellowship Program – Fall 2026 – Molly J Vander Werp

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Molly J Vander Werp, PhD in Forest Science, 2026

Molly Vander Werp is a first-year PhD student in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Tech, co-advised by Dr. Sarah Hoy and Dr. Kristin Brzeski. Her doctoral research sits at the intersection of molecular ecology and wildlife conservation, where she uses noninvasive genomic tools to uncover how genetic change relates to wildlife health in the Isle Royale National Park moose population.

As a Michigan native, Molly grew up hearing about the wolves and moose of Isle Royale, both in the news and the biology classroom. Working with the Isle Royale system as a graduate student is a dream come true.

Before graduate school, Molly worked as a bluebird monitoring assistant, a bear genetics technician, and a Parkinson’s disease researcher. She is thrilled by the opportunity to combine her expertise in molecular lab techniques with her love of wildlife science.

As a 2026 recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Molly plans to continue her PhD research at Michigan Tech. She extends her gratitude to past and present advisors, collaborators, and mentors.

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Graduate School Orientation!!

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Graduate School Orientation Fall 2026

We look forward to welcoming our new graduate students and encourage all new students to attend our Welcome to Graduate School event. Starting grad school is an incredible milestone, and everyone on campus is so excited to welcome our new wave of graduate students.

To help you find your footing before classes kick off, MTU is hosting the official Welcome to Graduate School event. Here are the absolute basics you need to know:

  • When: Monday, August 24th from 2:00 – 3:30pm
  • Where: The Rozsa Center
  • Why it matters: This session is crucial for learning about key Michigan Tech policies and how to complete your required Basic Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training. Plus, we have some free SWAG and lots of people who want to meet you!

Can’t make it in person? Don’t stress! If you are unable to attend, the RCR training is completely online and we’ll record the welcome session so you can view is later.

Helpful Tools & Resources

To get a head start on your transition, here are a few essential links to explore:

Have Questions?

The Graduate School team is here to help you every step of the way. If you run into any questions about orientation, feel free to email gradschool@mtu.edu or drop by and see them in person at the Administration Building, Room 414.

For the full breakdown of events, schedules, and extra resources, head over to the official MTU Graduate School Orientation Page.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Summer 2026 – Breeanne Heusdens

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Breeanne Heusdens, PhD in Geophysics, 2026

I have spent an incredible time, both length and quality, at MTU. The Keweenaw was my favorite campus location since touring universities for my undergraduate choices, and I have completed both my BS in Geological Engineering and my MS in Geophysics here prior to returning once more for this PhD opportunity. Being in the GMES department, I quickly knew most of the professors and became involved in many opportunities like AIPG and my accelerated MS, all the way to becoming involved with working with HPCs in my current project. I have also been able to travel to AGU conferences with other students in working with my advisor to share our research, as well as gain important exposure to other professionals in our field.

My research focuses on drone-borne ground penetrating radar data for use in soil moisture predictions. These predictions can be used by large farms to optimize irrigation for water conservation due to the variance of soil types and different crop needs. I developed a signal denoiser via continuous wavelet transform and deep learning that can significantly improve the signal feature clarity and remove most obscuring noise. I now work with a data projection through deep learning to convert the individual signals into subsurface permittivity images that will become the soil moisture maps. Developing these machine learning and data science skills were an important step in developing applicable research experience for the future, despite a less computationally focused background.

I am grateful to my advisors Dr. Askari and Dr. Chatterjee in GMES and my committee members for their support throughout my PhD learning process, as well as the SoilX project at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for collaborating with MTU, making this opportunity possible. Thank you to the graduate school and decision panel for awarding me the finishing fellowship and giving me the opportunity to represent MTU with my best novel research.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Summer 2026 – Brandon Woolman

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Brandon Woolman, PhD in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, 2026

I joined the Aging, Cognition, and Action lab in the Fall of 2021. After some training I was onboarded for a project, funded by the National Institute of Health, looking at early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease and long-term retention in motor adaptation. We specifically were looking at two different types of motor adaptation: visuomotor rotation and force-field adaptation. This work helped me not only learn valuable research skills but fueled my passion for research.

I have spent my years at Tech investigating the impacts of aging and cognitive decline on motor adaptation. My dissertation seeks to distinguish the overlapping- and unique- neural networks involved in motor sequence learning and motor adaptation. We plan to measure changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in the pre-frontal cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We expect this region to be of importance to the explicit memory systems involved in motor learning. This work will contribute to knowledge of how healthy aging changes motor learning, and how better understanding motor learning may help better assess cognitive abilities and supplement neuropsychological evaluations.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for granting me this award. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Kevin Trewartha, for his continued support and guidance throughout my graduate school journey. I am excited to complete my PhD and continue my passion for health-related research.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Summer 2026 – Janith Godakawela

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Janith Godakawela, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2026

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for the Finishing Fellowship award. I would like to sincerely thank my advisor, Dr. Bhisham Sharma, for his continued guidance and support throughout my doctoral journey.


I earned my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University in 2021, where I also began my PhD before transferring to Michigan Tech in 2023 to continue my research under Dr. Sharma. My dissertation focuses on the design and optimization of additively manufactured acoustic liners for aerospace applications. Using 3D printing, I develop architected porous structures and investigate how their geometry can be tailored to achieve targeted sound absorption characteristics. My work spans computational modeling, experimental acoustic characterization, and aeroacoustic validation under conditions representative of aircraft engine environments. Through collaborations with industry and government partners, I have been able to test and refine these designs beyond idealized laboratory settings, confirming their potential for real world noise control applications.


Alongside my research, I have had the opportunity to contribute to teaching through assistantships and grading, as well as mentoring senior design teams and undergraduate researchers. I have also had the pleasure of being a founding member of the Acoustical Society of America student chapter at Michigan Tech, where I currently serve as the national representative.


As I complete my dissertation, I am grateful for the support this fellowship provides. I look forward to pursuing an academic career where I can continue contributing to mechanical and aerospace research and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Summer 2026 – Harikrishnan Changarnkothapeecherikkal

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Harikrishnan Changarnkothapeecherikkal, PhD in Computational Science & Engineering, 2026

I am deeply honored and grateful to receive a Doctoral Finishing Fellowship from the Graduate School. This support is a meaningful milestone in my journey at Michigan Tech, which began with my MS in Data Science and has grown into a PhD in Computational Science and Engineering focused on healthcare AI.

My dissertation research uses artificial intelligence to make osteoporosis screening more proactive, accessible, and precise. Working closely with my advisor, Dr. Guy Hembroff, and collaborators at Henry Ford Health, I helped develop OsteoFusionNet: a multimodal deep learning framework that assesses osteoporosis risk from routine knee X-rays and basic electronic health record data. The goal is to turn images patients are already getting for other reasons into an early-warning system, flagging at-risk individuals for confirmatory testing and follow-up before fractures occur.

This work goes beyond initial screening to include longitudinal bone health trend analysis and fairness evaluation across patient groups. What excites me most is creating AI that fits seamlessly into clinical workflows, practical tools that alert clinicians to hidden risks without disrupting care or replacing established diagnostics.

This project sits at the perfect intersection of technical innovation and real clinical need. I’ve loved the challenge of building mathematically rigorous systems that are also practical and grounded in healthcare realities. That balance has shaped my approach to research and deepened my commitment to this field.

I am also grateful for the opportunities Michigan Tech has given me to grow as a teacher and mentor. Serving as a lead instructor for graduate courses in clinical decision support & AI modelling and population health informatics has been one of the most rewarding parts of my graduate experience, and receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award in 2024 was a great encouragement.

I am sincerely thankful to my advisor, committee, collaborators, department, and the Graduate School for their support. This fellowship will help me focus fully on completing my dissertation and preparing for the next stage of my career in healthcare AI research and education.

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