Author: Angela Keranen

Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Student Article Accepted as an “Editor’s Choice” Paper

AnikaKuczynski
Anika Kuczynski, a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering

An article titled “The Cladophora Resurgence in Lake Ontario: Characterization and Implications for Management” by Anika Kuczynski, Martin T. Auer, Colin N. Brooks, and Amanda G. Grimm was recently accepted as one of the “Editor’s choice” papers for 2016 by the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CJFAS). The NRC Research Press uses this as a means of highlighting articles of “particularly high caliber and topical importance.” The article will be published as an Open Article (no CJFAS subscription required) for increased visibility. Please visit http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/journal/cjfas.

 

Environmental Engineering Alumnus selected as Bay Delta Office Manager for Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region

Michelle Banonis, an Environmental Engineering alumnus and PCA member
Michelle Banonis, an Environmental Engineering alumnus and PCA member

Michigan Technological University alumnus, Michelle Banonis, has been selected as the Bay Delta Office Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region effective March 21, 2016.  Banonis has most recently been serving as the Mid-Pacific Region’s Special Assistant to the Regional Director as well as leading efforts on California Water Fix.

Banonis obtained her Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from Michigan Tech where she is also a member of the Presidential Council of Alumnae (PCA).  She also holds a Juris Doctor from Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law and is a licensed attorney in California.

HU Colloquium Starring Two CEE Staff

RTC_C4

Topic: Making the Case for Interdisciplinary Research and Practice to Improve Traditionally Technical Fields

Tim’s presentation title: “Getting Outside the Silos:  Why Transportation Research Needs the Humanities and Social Scientists”

John’s paper title: ” Human and Social Research Approaches to Engineering Problems”

Abstract:

It is no secret that engineering, science, and technology not only dominate the Michigan Tech campus but also increasingly pervade our daily lives. Humans seek technology to improve living standards, protect us from the natural environment and our own actions, and create opportunities for further development, with and without adverse effects for us and our planet. In this increasingly technophilic world, the humanities, arts, and social sciences are often struggling to grab attention and resources, which both seem to flow more readily towards researchers in the physical sciences in order for them to provide solutions to our natural and human-created problems. In addition, researchers in the humanities and social sciences may be apprehensive working in fields dominated by engineers.

The presenters argue that this divide between the physical sciences and everyone else doesn’t need to and shouldn’t be there. Because engineers and scientists are seeking solutions to human problems, many of which can’t be solved with science and technology alone, it is natural, if not imperative, for them to form partnerships with those studying humans and human behavior.

Dr. Tim  Colling, PE (Director, Center for Technology and Training in CEE/MTTI, PhD CEE) and John Velat (Director, Tribal Technical Assistance Program in CEE/MTTI, MS RTC) will examine problems in transportation and offer approaches for their investigation and solution, using knowledge, expertise, and understanding from outside engineering and physical science fields. They contend that the goal is not to separate engineering solutions from humanities, social, and arts-based solutions, but to recruit non-engineers in solving problems traditionally addressed by engineers as well as physical scientists. By demonstrating the wealth of problems in technical fields that the humanities, arts, and social sciences can contribute to solving, they hope to build cooperation and collaboration on campus and beyond by creating multidisciplinary teams that can effectively compete on what has been typically considered “hard science” research.

Michigan Tech/TUFTS Team Wins Prestigious ASCE Award

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has announced that Steven C. Chapra, Rasika K. Gawde, Martin T. Auer, Rakesh K. Gelda and Noel R. Urban will receive the Society’s 2016 Horner Award for their paper entitled, Sed2K: Modeling lake sediment diagenesis in a management context, published in the
Journal of Environmental Engineering in 2015. The Horner Award is made annually, recognizing the paper, published in an ASCE journal making the most valuable contribution to the environmental engineering profession. The award-winning paper is based on a mathematical model (Sed2K) developed by Dr. Chapra, the Louis Berger Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University. Application and testing of the model was led by Rasika K. Gawde who recently received the Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech and is now a post-doctoral fellow at the Horn Point Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Rakesh Gelda, also received the doctorate in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Tech and is presently a Research Scientist with the Bureau of Water Supply, Water Quality Science & Research at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Drs. Auer and Urban are faculty in the Michigan Tech Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Environmental Engineering Alumnus Named one of the “New Faces of Civil Engineering”

'07 Environmental Engineering alumnus
Kyle Bareither is a ’07 Michigan Tech Environmental Engineering alumnus

Michigan Tech alumnus Kyle Bareither has been named one of 10 “New Faces of Civil Engineering” by the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE).  Each year the ASCE recognizes 10 young, diverse and talented engineers that highlight the next generation of civil engineering leaders.

Bareither currently works at Natural Resources Technology (NRT), an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.  He also serves as president of ASCE’s Wisconsin section Southeast Branch Younger Member Group (YMG) and is a member for the YMG’s STEM Expo, a program that provides hands-on STEM activities for local K-12 students.

After a successful battle with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2010, Bareither decided that he wanted to give as much of his time helping others.  He volunteers his time with Imerman Angels – An organization created to provide one-on-one support for those facing cancer – and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The ASCE will officially recognize Bareither and the other nine nominees at the Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Gala on March 17, 2016.

 

YouTube video

Milwaukee-Based Engineer Turns Cancer into Call to Help Others

Michigan Tech University 2016 Summer Teacher Institutes

2016 Summer Michigan Tech University Summer Teacher Institutes


June 20-24  ED5641 Global Change Teacher Institute 

June 27-July 1  ED5601 Engaging Students in Authentic Science Research Teacher Institute

July 11-15    ED 5640 Designing a Sustainable Future Teacher Institute

Application deadline May 1, 2016. Complete teacher institute applications online.

See link after each description below orhttp://wupcenter.mtu.edu/

To register for Michigan Tech credits: MTU Cognitive & Learning Sciences will contact you with registration information (Tel: 906-487-2460)

For more information: Joan Chadde, Institute Coordinator (jchadde@mtu.edu or 906-487-3341)

 

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ED5641 Global Change Teacher Institute (for Grades 4-12 Teachers)

Date:  June 20-24, 2016

This 5-day Institute will prepare you to engage your middle and high school students in a real-world study of the effects of global change on ecosystems, including the impacts of climatic change on forests— elevated carbon dioxide and ozone levels, nitrogen saturation, acid rain, and invasive species. Teachers will participate in the MEECS Climate Change workshop and receive the NEW MEECS Climate Change Unit.

Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes 5 nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials.

Summer Institute Information PDF

Summer Institute Information HTML

Register for Global Change Teacher Institute

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ED5601 Engaging Students in Authentic Science Research Teacher Institute (for Grades 4-12 Teachers)

Date: M-F, June 27-July 1, 2016

Teachers gain skills in designing original research, rather than merely conducting cookbook experiments. Teachers will learn research design methods and procedures, and participate in a variety of research field and lab studies.

Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes 5 nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials.

Summer Institute Information PDF

Summer Institute Information HTML

Register for Design a Sustainable Future

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ED5640 Designing a Sustainable Future Teacher Institute (for Grades 4-12 Teachers)

Date: July 11 – 15, 2016

The institute will introduce teachers to the field of sustainability through examination of product life cycles, product recycling, repurposing materials, renewable energy sources of wind, solar, and biomass, designing energy- and resource-efficient buildings, site designs to reduce storm water runoff and increase biodiversity, and efficient transportation systems and vehicles. The institute will address the Next Generation Science Standards and be taught by a variety of Michigan Tech University faculty and graduate students, along with community and teacher experts.

Cost: $400 off campus includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits and instructional materials. $700 on campus includes five nights lodging & meals from Monday morning through Friday lunch, 2 MTU graduate credits and materials.

Summer Institute Information PDF

Summer Institute Information HTML

Register for Design a Sustainable Future

 

 

Joint Environmental/Civil Engineering Seminar

Kaye LaFond, a Michigan Tech Environmental Engineering BS & MS alumnus
Kaye LaFond, a BS & MS alumni of Michigan Tech Environmental Engineering

Monday, February 8, 2016 from 3 to 4 pm in Dillman 214.

Kaye LaFond will present “Communicating Science and Data: Thoughts of a (Somewhat) Reformed Engineer.”

 

As the world squares off against challenges that require an informed public and science-savvy leadership, doing the research is only half the battle. Kaye will share her post-graduation experiences with science journalism, data visualization and ‘social media for academia’.

 

 

PCMI Student is Fulfilling a Childhood Dream of Service

Siblings Helen (left) and her brother Joseph (right) are both fulfilling a shard childhood dream of serving in the Peace Corps.
Siblings Helen (left) and her brother Joseph (right) are both fulfilling a shard childhood dream of serving in the Peace Corps.

Helen Amiri, a Peace Corps Master’s International student in Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech, is pursuing her childhood dream by serving in Vanuatu as a hygiene education and water sanitation volunteer. Helen is one of many students at Michigan Tech pursuing a PCMI degree, which allows students to earn a master’s degree while also serving in the Peace Corps. Michigan Tech’s program is the largest in the nation and our students have served in 52 countries around the world.

Civil Engineering Alumnus Named An Associate Of ROWE Professional Services Company

Michael Royalty is a 2005 graduate of Civil Engineering
Michael Royalty is a 2005 graduate of Civil Engineering

Michael A. Royalty, a Michigan Tech Civil Engineering alumnus, has recently been named an associate of ROWE Professional Services Co.  ROWE is a leading consulting firm headquartered in Flint, MI.  Royalty has been employed by ROWE since 2005 as a project manager, overseeing the operations of various road and infrastructure projects.

Civil Engineering Alumnus, Kathryn Lynnes, Is Doing her Part to Cleanup the Environment

Kathryn Lynnes is a 1979 graduate of Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech.
Kathryn Lynnes is a 1979 graduate of Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech.

Inspired to get involved in environmental cleanup following a eye-opening experience in her youth, Michigan Tech alumnus Kathryn Lynnes has spent her career doing just that.  After years of working as an environmental consultant for private industry and municipal government, Lynnes is now the new senior program manager for the Kirtland Air Force Base fuel spill cleanup.  To read more about Kathryn Lynnes, her career, efforts and her baseball memorabilia, visit: http://www.abqjournal.com/699538/news/kafb-gets-major-league-help-on-spill.html