College of Engineering Blog

New Engineering Faculty Fall 2016

Published December 12, 2016

Chemical Engineering

Rebecca Ong, PhD

Rebecca Ong joins Tech’s Department of Chemical Engineering as an assistant professor. Ong received her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Michigan State University.

She has worked as an instructor in chemical engineering at Tech and as a research assistant professor at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Ong is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Lei Pan, PhD

Lei Pan joins the Department of Chemical Engineering as an assistant professor. Pan received a PhD in mining engineering at Virginia Tech and also worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies there.

He received the Pratt Research Fellowship award at Virginia Tech, as well as the Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Mining Department there. He worked as a reviewer for Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review and Minerals Engineering and as a lecturer at Virginia Tech.

Jeana Collins, PhD

Jeana Collins joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Chemical Engineering as a lecturer. She received her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech and has worked at Tech as a graduate teaching assistant as well as a mentor for current undergraduate researchers. Collins is a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student teaching award.

She is a member of Omega Chi Epsilon, a chemical engineering honor society, as well as Tau Beta Phi engineering honor society, the University of Minnesota-Duluth Alumni Association and Order of the Engineer. Collins also coaches Tech’s dance team and mentors students in time management, coursework and prioritization.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Hyungchul Yoon, PhD

Hyungchul Yoon joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an assistant professor. He earned his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and received his certificate in foundation of teaching at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning there.

Yoon has been a mentor at the Smart Structure Technology Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has had numerous publications in journals such as the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. He has also given oral presentations in Osaka, Japan; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Stanford, California.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Christian Wagner, PhD

Christian Wagner joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department as a visiting professor.

Wagner earned his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. He has served as the director of digital economy in the Digital Catapult Researcher in Residence Programme in London, UK. He also was an associate professor at the University of Nottingham and a consultant for Unilever Data Analysis.

Zhi Zheng, PhD

Zhi Zheng joins the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Tech as a research assistant professor. She earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she also obtained her certification in college teaching.

Zheng received the Best Paper Award at the 9th International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction.

Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Sajjad Bigham, PhD

Sajjad Bigham joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics as an assistant professor. Bigham earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and has worked as a research assistant in nanostructure energy systems there.

Bigham has multiple patents and journal publications. He was the recipient of an outstanding honor student award for academic achievements.

Susanta Ghosh, PhD

Susanta Ghosh joins the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics as a research assistant professor. Ghosh received a PhD in Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India, in 2008.

Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, Ghosh worked for the Department of Materials Science Engineering at the University of Michigan as a visiting research investigator. He also worked for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. He has multiple journal publications and is the recipient of awards and fellowships.

Darrell L. Robinette, PhD, P.E.

Darrell L. Robinette joins Michigan Tech as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics. Robinette received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics from Michigan Tech in 2007.

Prior to joining the Michigan Tech faculty, Robinette worked for General Motors as an advanced hybrid and electrification architecture engineer. He volunteers with FIRST Robotics and has received many awards and recognitions. He was the SAE Foundation Stefan Pischinger Young Industry Leadership Award nominee.

Trisha Sain, PhD

Trisha Sain joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics as an assistant professor. She earned her PhD in the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore India.

Prior to coming to Tech, she worked as an assistant professor at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. She was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She was a reviewer of grant proposals for the US Army Research Office and a consultant in the mechanics division of Honeywell Technology Solutions lab in Bangalore, India.

Zequn Wang, PhD

Zequn Wang joins Michigan Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics as an assistant professor. He earned a PhD in Industrial Engineering at Wichita State University in Kansas and worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Integrated DEsign Automation Laboratory (IDEAL) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University.

Before coming to Tech, Wang was an instructor for the engineering design optimization iSIGHT lab at Northwestern. He has presented at the Ford Research and Development Center on validating dynamic engineering models under uncertainty.

Kristina Rushlau Addresses Midyear Commencement

Published December 12, 2016

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Nearly 350 bachelor’s, master’s and PhD recipients are expected to take part in Michigan Technological University’s Midyear Commencement Saturday. Ceremonies take place at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17, 2016, in the Wood Gym of the Student Development Complex.

Kristina Rushlau will deliver the student address. A Kalamazoo native, Rushlau graduates with a BS in Environmental Engineering. During her time at Michigan Tech, she participated in Mind Trekkers, the Society of Environmental Engineers and many other activities. She hopes to start her career in environmental engineering preferably in the Detroit Area.

Among the class of 2016 is Ashley VanSumeren from Goodrich, Michigan, who is graduating with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Exercise Science. VanSumeren says she’s been heavily involved in undergraduate research since her sophomore year. Thanks to a scholarship from the Pavlis Honors College and Portage Health Foundation, she was able to conduct her own research project.

I looked at how the muscles of the legs and trunk contribute to seated upper body exercise. —Ashley VanSumeren

VanSumeren presented the results of her research at the Undergraduate Research Expo last march and at the Life Science and Technology Institute Research Forum in October. At the latter, she received the Grand Prize in the undergraduate division.

Michigan Tech is a family affair for VanSumeren whose parents and brother are alumni. She says she initially had “kind of sworn off” Tech because she didn’t want to appear to be “copying” her family. A visit during her senior year of high school (while en route to visit her first choice school) changed her mind. She said the opportunities she’s had in four years, including working with Olympic athletes for a senior design project, showed her that Tech was indeed the right choice.

The future is a little less clear for VanSumeren, who is planning to pursue a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis on biomechanics.

I haven’t decided on a school yet, but have applied to schools across the country and in Canada. Following my master’s, I hope to get a job in a biomechanics research lab, either for a shoe company or a sport performance company.

She says she hasn’t ruled out continuing her education to earn a PhD.

Original story by Mark Wilcox.

Students look to the future after successful tenure at MTU

While earning her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Reagan May found time to be a racecar driver.

Two years ago, I was the Super Late Model Track champion in Plover, Wisconsin, followed up this past season with it in second in points. So, I’m excited to graduate, start my career as an engineer and continue racing throughout the rest of my life. —Reagan May

Ashley VanSumeren didn’t have much free time, she was double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Exercise Science.

I got used to it. I also ended up getting a job on campus doing undergraduate research, so I really learned how to balance between class, work and research. —Ashley VanSumeren

MSE and CEE Get Funding for Transportation Materials Research Center

Published December 7, 2016

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Lawrence Sutter (MSE/IMP) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $55,120 research and development contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Zhanping You (CEE) is the Co-PI on the project, “2017 Transportation Materials Research Center.”

This is a 10-month project.

By Sponsored Programs.

Engineering Researchers Participate in TechTalks 2016

Published December 5, 2016

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TechTalks 2016

Michigan Tech Research Forum
Faculty Research on Speed Dial

VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM

The Michigan Tech Research Forum is a new University presentation series showcasing the work of Michigan Tech faculty, postdocs, and researchers.

On Thursday, November 10, 2016, several researchers gave two minute presentations for the inaugural TechTalks session of the Michigan Tech Research Forum. Five of the 13 researchers presented work from engineering disciplines:

Andrew Barnard– Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics: “Solid State Sound—A Hot Topic”
Paul Sanders– Materials Science and Engineering: “Rapid Metal Design”
Kazuya Tajiri– Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics: “Two-Phase Transport in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells”
Hector Moncada-Hernandez- Biomedical Engineering: “Point-of-Care Microfluidic Device for Blood Typing”
Ye Sarah Sun– Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics: “Wearable Electronics, Human-Centered Monitoring”

Michigan Tech Research Forum events are presented by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in coordination with the Office of the Vice President of Research.

Additional TechTalks sessions are coming up in Spring 2017. Interested in nominating yourself or others? Use this online f orm.

Browse the Twitter conversations in “TechTalks 2016: Take One,” by Allison Mills.

On Thursday, December 1, 2016, the second set of presentations included the following from engineering research faculty:

Jeff Naber
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
APS LABS (Advanced Power Systems Research Center)

Michael Mullins
Department of Chemical Engineering
Electrospun Nanofibers as Neural Guidance Scaffolds

Feng Zhao
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research

Chad Deering
Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
Ignimbrites to Batholiths

Darrell Robinette
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Gearing for Future Connectivity

Trisha Sain
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Mechanics of Soft Polymers

Browse the Twitter conversations in “TechTalks 2016: Take Two,” by Allison Mills.

Wayne Pennington Honored for Turning Point Definition

Published November 28, 2016

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Wayne Pennington’s (GMES/CoE) work was honored during a Geophysical Society of Houston luncheon on Nov. 15, 2016, in Houston.

The presentation, made by Vaughn Ball (Hess Corporation) and co-authored by Michelle Thomas, JP Blangy and Mark Kittridge, acknowledge that seismic petrophysics is “coming up on the twentieth anniversary of Wayne Pennington’s turning point definition of seismic petrophysics in the 1997 edition of The Leading Edge.”

Design Expo 2017 Registration Now Open

Published November 28, 2016

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Design Expo 2017 will be held in the MUB Ballroom on Thursday, April 13th. Save the date.

Design Expo highlights hands-on, discovery-based learning at Michigan Tech. More than 600 students on Enterprise and Senior Design teams showcase their work and compete for awards.

A panel of judges, made up of distinguished corporate representatives and Michigan Tech staff and faculty members, critique the projects. Many team projects are sponsored by industry, which allows students to gain valuable experience through competition, as well as direct exposure to real industrial problems. Design Expo is co-hosted by the College of Engineering and the Pavlis Honors College.

Registration is now open for Senior Design and Enterprise teams. Visit the Design Expo website to register before the deadline, Monday, Feb. 6.

We need faculty, staff, and professionals to serve as distinguished Design Expo judges. Interested? Register to be a judge or RSVP to let us know you’re coming.

By the College of Engineering and Pavlis Honors College.

IRES Denmark: Summer 2017 Research Opportunities for Students

Published November 22, 2016

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International Research Experience for Students (IRES)
Biosensor Development, Summer 2017

Aarhus University in Denmark and Michigan Technological University offer summer research opportunities in Denmark from May to July 2017.

Explore sensor development and biomarker discovery to improve detection of cancer, malaria, and more with this international research opportunity.

Students in all years are welcome to apply, however, research experience is desirable for applicants. Desired majors include chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. Four undergraduate and one graduate student will be accepted into the program. Applications are due by February 17, 2017.

The program will last for a total of 8 weeks, beginning in May and ending in July. This includes a 1 week orientation at Michigan Tech. A $4500 stipend will be provided, along with housing and travel.

LEARN MORE.

Three Students named University Innovation Fellows

Published November 22, 2016

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Three Michigan Tech students are among 169 students from 49 higher education institutions worldwide to be named University Innovation Fellows.

The three Tech students are Rachel Kolb, Kyle Ludwig, and Adam Weber.

The University Innovation Fellows program empowers students to become agents of change at their schools. Fellows work to ensure that their peers gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to compete in the economy of the future and make a positive impact on the world. To accomplish this, the Fellows advocate for lasting institutional change and create opportunities for students to engage with innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking and creativity at their schools.

Fellows design innovation spaces, start entrepreneurship organizations, host experiential learning events and work with faculty to develop new courses.

Kolb says she is excited to be named a University Fellow as well.

It’s such a unique opportunity through which I can help induce change on the Michigan Tech Campus—something I now recognize as an important part of our success as an educational institution.

The third-year mechanical engineering major from Alma, Michigan described the process of becoming a University Innovation Fellow.

Michigan Tech Students to Compete in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is one of the largest business competitions in the country celebrating its seventh year highlighting the best and brightest early-stage business to regional investors. The competition continues to showcase the state as a powerhouse for business opportunity and the next generation of technology.

Out of the 27 semi-finalists that were selected to compete for up to $20,000 in cash prizes, two of the teams were from Michigan Tech and both have ties to the Pavlis Honors College. Kyle Ludwig, a University Innovation Fellow and PHC Custom Pathway student, is a member of the team of student founders for Tru, which is developing tools to enable healthy meal planning.

Tech Students Named University Innovation Fellows

Congratulations to Rachel Kolb, Kyle Ludwig, and Adam Weber who have been named University Innovation Fellows (UIF) by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). This global program trains student leaders to create new opportunities for their peers to engage with innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking and creativity.

Rachel, Kyle and Adam were sponsored by Pavlis Honors College Assistant Dean, Mary Raber. The Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship will fund the Fellows’ six week online training along with their travel to the annual University Innovation Fellows Silicon Valley Meetup in March of 2017.

Bruce Lee is a 2016 Young Investigator Award Recipient

Published November 16, 2016

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2016 Young Investigator Award for Bruce Lee

Smart, Moisture-Resistant Adhesive Inspired by Marine Chemistry

Bruce Lee and Student — Bruce Lee (Right) and Student

Bruce Lee (Bio Med) is a YIP award winner through the Office of Naval Research and, following their news release and CHIPS magazine story, a number of news outlets and science blogs picked up the story. The media include: NavalToday.com, Maritime Executive, Ocean News and Technology, phys.org, Seapower Magazine, defense-aerospace.com, Deccan Chronicle, World of Chemicals, ScienMag and Business Standard.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who are in their first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent academic appointment and who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. The program’s objectives are to attract outstanding faculty members of Institutions of Higher Education to the Department of Navy’s research program, to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers.

Mussel Power: ONR Researches Underwater Glue

ARLINGTON, Va. — Even the strongest glues collapse when soaked. Just watch a band-aid slide ungracefully off a finger or toe while in the shower. However, with support from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), one researcher has developed a nature-inspired adhesive that stays sticky when wet.

Dr. Bruce Lee, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Michigan Technological University, is using a protein produced by mussels to create a reversible synthetic glue that not only can bond securely underwater — but also may be turned on and off with electricity.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Bruce Lee.

2016 TAMC Carmine Palombo Individual Award for Tim Colling

Published November 14, 2016

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Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council Honors Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program Director

A Michigan Tech professor has been recognized by a state-wide transportation organization.

The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) has honored Tim Colling (CEE/MTTI) with the 2016 TAMC Carmine Palombo Individual Award.

The award was presented by TAMC Chair Joanna I. Johnson at the annual TAMC Fall Conference on Oct. 13 in Marquette.

In 2015, the TAMC renamed the Individual Achievement Award in honor of Palombo for his years of service and dedication to the TAMC representing the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.

Colling acknowledged that while the honor is called an individual award, it reflects the work and dedication of the entire team at Michigan Tech.

When told that Colling was going to be receiving the award that carries his name, Palombo said,

I can think of no more deserving person than Tim Colling to be recognized for all of his work in assisting the TAMC to get to where they are today.

Palombo further added,

His efforts and leadership have simply lifted the practice and promotion of asset management all across Michigan.

Colling worked as a civil engineering consultant for 10 years prior to starting work at Michigan Tech’s Center for Technology and Training (CTT).

In 2010, Colling assumed the responsibilities of director, including leadership of the Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).

Colling and his team at CTT provide basic and advanced training on a wide array of topics to support the management of transportation systems.

Local Technical Assistance Program Director honored

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) has honored Tim Colling, PhD, P.E. with the 2016 TAMC Carmine Palombo Individual Award. The award was presented by TAMC Chair Joanna I. Johnson at the annual TAMC Fall Conference on Thursday, October 13, in Marquette, Michigan.