Graduate School Newsblog

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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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

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Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents.  In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion!  Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.  Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

  • When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 2 – 4pm (see detailed schedule below)
  • Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
  • Where: Virtual and in-person (Admin 404 – limit for room is 30); (register to attend online and receive participation instructions)
  • Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Detailed schedule

  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Submission 101
    Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester.  Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.
  • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Formatting 101-103
    Learn about templates, checking your document with Adobe Acrobat, and how to use copyrighted materials. You’ll also learn where resources are on the web page so you can learn more about the topics that interest you.
  • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Questions
    Have a question that hasn’t been answered yet? We’ll be available to answer any additional questions you have

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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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Spring 2027 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Spring 2027 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on October 14, 2026 to the Graduate School. 

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Please note that the process for student applications and advisor references has been changed for the Spring 2027 application period. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD 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 Plan. 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.

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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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