Biological Sciences Blog

Category: Alumni

Alumnus Johnathon Aho awarded Outstanding Young Alumni Award

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Jonathon AhoFrom Tech Today:

Alumni Association Announces 2016 Awards

by Jenn Donovan

Michigan Tech’s Alumni Association has named its 2016 award winners. Each year, members of the Michigan Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors review dozens of nominations of outstanding alumni and friends to determine award recipients.

The 2016 recipients include:

Outstanding Young Alumni Awards — Benjamin Almquist ’04 Materials Science and Engineering, London and Johnathon Aho ’08 Mathematical Sciences/Biological Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota.

This award is presented to alumni under the age of 35 who have distinguished themselves in their careers. The award recognizes the achievement of a position or some distinction noteworthy for one so recently graduated.

 This award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions both in their careers and to Michigan Tech over a number of years.

Previously Jonathon was awarded the President’s Award for Leadership in 2008

Other alumni award recipients were:

Humanitarian Award — James Tanis ’56, ’58 Geological Engineering/Geophysics and Janet Tanis, Sedona, Arizona.

This award is presented to those alumni and friends who, through their outstanding involvement and dedication, have made a significant contribution of volunteer leadership or service which has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on or bring honor to their Alma Mater.

Mr. and Mrs. Tanis are founders of the Bwindi Community Program, helping the children of rural Uganda get an education.

Honorary Alumni Award — John Patton, former professor of Chemical Engineering, ’68-’77, El Paso, Texas.

This award honors individuals who have provided service and support of the university characteristic of dedicated alumni. The Association reserves this award to recognize the strongest non-alumni supporters of Michigan Tech.

Outstanding Service Award — Joshua ’03 and Jana Fogarty ’05 Materials Science and Engineering, Plymouth, Wisconsin.

This award is presented to alumni and friends making significant contributions to the success of the Association and/or the University.

Distinguished Alumni Award — William Bernard, Jr. ’69 Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Perrysburg, Ohio.

This award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions both in their careers and to Michigan Tech over a number of years.

Many of these awards will be presented at the Alumni Reunion Awards Dinner on August 5. For additional information, contact Alumni Relations.

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Alumnus Jacob Jaszczak receives the Cell and Molecular Biology Outstanding Graduate Student Award

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Jacob-Jaszczak-150x150Alumnus  Jacob Jaszczak received the Cell and Molecular Biology Outstanding Graduate Student Award at the University of Virginia.  He will soon be taking a  postdoctoral position at UCSF in Yuh Nung Jan’s laboratory.  You can read the full details at the University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology blog. 

(picture courtesy  of University of Virgina)

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Alumnus Dr. Donofrio joins Neogen as director of microbiology

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From www.4-traders.com; picture courtesy of LinkedIn

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) announced today that Dr. Robert Donofrio has joined the company as the director of microbiology, research and development in Neogen’s Lansing, Mich.-based food safety research and development group.

Dr. Donofrio completed his Ph.D. in 2009 under now Emerita Dr. Susan Bagley.

For the full article see:

This link

 

 

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Graduate Job Success: Dr. Steph Gleason

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Steph Gleason
Steph Gleason

Dr. Steph Gleason (Groves) has a new position as the North America Grain Processing Application Development Leader at DuPont Industrial Biosciences.

She joined DuPont in 2014 as a member of the Grain Processing Applied Innovation Center as an Application Scientist prior to taking this new role in October 2015.

Steph received a PhD in Biological Sciences from Michigan Tech in 2013. While at Michigan Tech, her advisor was Susan Bagley.

Congratulations, Steph!

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Graduate Job Success: Dr. Ramana Pidatala

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Ramana Pidatala
Ramana Pidatala

Dr. Ramana Pidatala got a new job in August 2015 as a Research Associate at DoE’s Joint BioEnergy Institute in Emeryville, CA. He is working in the Plant Systems Biology group in the Feedstocks Division under Dr. Jenny Mortimer.

Ramana received a PhD in Biological Sciences from Michigan Tech in 2015. While at Michigan Tech, his advisor was Rupali Datta.

Congratulations, Ramana!

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Graduate Job Success: Dr. Aparupa Sengupta

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Aparupa Sengupta
Aparupa Sengupta

Dr. Aparupa Sengupta has recently accepted a new job as a Biosafety Officer (microbiology/molecular genetics subject expert) at Rutgers University, NJ. Her office will be at the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, Piscataway Campus, but she will also work at Rutgers’ New Brunswick and Newark Campuses.

She officially started in January 2016. Since her graduation, Aparupa has been working as a Lab Safety Scientist and Responsible Conduct of Research Coordinator/Instructor for the Michigan Tech Office of Compliance, Integrity and Safety.

Aparupa received a PhD in Biological Sciences from Michigan Tech in 2014. While at Michigan Tech, her advisor was Rupali Datta and her co-advisor was Susan Bagley.

Congratulations, Aparupa!

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Biotech talk January 28th

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Matthew HymesMatthew Hymes, Scientist and Entrepreneur will be giving a Biotech Career talk Thursday January 28th at 12 pm in Dow 642.  

The talk, sponsored by the Graduate Student Government, is open to all majors and degree levels.

Matthew would describe himself as an entrepreneur at heart with a passion for constant learning who found his calling in a molecular biology class at Michigan Tech. He received two degrees from Michigan Tech including a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2000 and a Master’s of Science in Molecular Biology in 2002. He then worked as a researcher at the University of Michigan before earning an MBA in Marketing in 2007 from Baker College. After completing his MBA he took a position with a multibillion-dollar company to understand what is necessary to be a successful global organization. He parlayed this experience into a leadership role with a smaller organization with plans to expand to new markets. After building the foundation for this business, he found an opportunity back in Michigan with a biotech start-up that married his passions of molecular biology and marketing. He is currently helping this organization grow into a successful company as Marketing Director by utilizing his scientific background to create a differentiated brand.  See the flyer below for more details.

Career Talks (Mathew Hymes)

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Alumna joins UP Health – Portage ER Department

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Tara RobinetteUP Health System – Portage Adds Dr. Robinette to Emergency Department

HANCOCK, Mich. – UP Health System – Portage is proud to welcome Tara Robinette, MD to its Emergency Department. Dr. Robinette is a board certified emergency medicine physician and began seeing patients on August 1, 2015.

Dr. Robinette completed medical school at Michigan State University in 2011 and residency training at the University of Michigan/St. Joseph Mercy Emergency Medicine program in June 2015.

“I have completed rotations in the ED here at Portage during my residency and know that it is a great place to work,” Dr. Robinette said. “I enjoy the ED because you make a quick difference in a patient’s life and work in a fast-paced environment.”

Originally from Swartz Creek, Mich., Dr. Robinette received her bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-med from Michigan Technological University in 2007. She was also a student-athlete for the Huskies, running cross country and track.

Dr. Robinette enjoys traveling, running, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in her spare time. Her husband Darrell is also a Tech graduate.

“I first fell in love with this area while going to college at Michigan Tech and have always had the desire to move back after I completed my medical training,” Dr. Robinette said. “I enjoy the outdoor recreation, peacefulness, and small-town atmosphere that the Keweenaw Peninsula has to offer.”

Since 2007, the UP Health System – Portage Trauma Center has been verified as a Level 3 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. UP Health System – Portage was the first in the state to earn this designation. As of 2012, UP Health System – Portage was one of just two verified Level 3 Trauma Centers in the state.

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About UP Health System – Portage
UP Health System – Portage owns and operates a 36-bed acute-care hospital, a 60-bed skilled nursing unit and related health care services in Hancock-Houghton, Michigan. More information about the UP Health System can be found at UPHealthSystem.com.
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