GMES is proud to announce and celebrate the accomplishments of our Spring & Summer 2026 graduates. These dedicated students have conducted research, completed rigorous coursework, and made meaningful contributions to our academic community. Their hard work and perseverance have prepared them to take the next step as professionals and researchers in the fields of geosciences, mining, and engineering. Please join us in congratulating the following graduate students:
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
- Gabriel Ahrendt, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. Aleksey Smirnov
- Robert Nowak, Geology
- Advised by Dr. Aleksey Smirnov
- Breeanne Heusdens, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. Radwin Askari
- Sabrina Li, Atmospheric Sciences
- Advised by Dr. Xin Xi
- Jacob Murchek, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. James DeGraff
- Nontawat Srisapan, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. Radwin Askari
Master of Science Degrees
- Mirza Ubed Baig, Mining Engineering
- Advised by Dr. Aleksey Smirnov
- Priyanka Dhamala, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. Aleksey Smirnov
- Helen Foldenauer, Geology
- Advised by Dr. Radwin Askari
- Zeke Martin, Geology
- Advised by Dr. Luke Bowman
- Ben Mperekwa, Geology
- Advised by Dr. Luke Bowman
- Daniel Muchabaiwa, Mining Engineering
- Advised by Dr. Luke Bowman
- Brighton Muwi, Mining Engineering
- Advised by Dr. Xiang Li
- Samuel Sukaria, Geological Engineering
- Advised by Dr. Nathan Manser
- Sam Jensen, Geophysics
- Advised by Dr. Aleksey Smirnov
Bachelor of Science Degrees
GMES is proud to celebrate the achievements of our Spring 2026 Bachelor of Science graduates—students who have built the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of geoscientists and engineers. Please join us in congratulating:
- Lucas Maxon, Mining Engineering
- Kaitlyn Pixley, Geological Engineering
- Yalmer Primeau, Geology
- Natalie Sorensen, Geological Engineering
- Christina Lucas, Geology
- Maddie Unseld, Geology
Award & Scholarship Recipients
These honors highlight excellence across academics, leadership, research, and service.
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship
- Award Recipient: Helen Foldenauer
GMES Department Scholar Award
- Award Recipient: Bryce Baar
Mineral Science Estwing Rock Hammer Award
- Award Recipient: Amy Haslam
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) Awards
Award Recipients:
- Tinashe Chawafambira – awarded the Henry Dewitt Smith Graduate Scholarship
- Ben Mperekwa – awarded the Steven C. Potter Scholarship
WAAIME Scholarship Recipients
Award Recipients:
- Evans Chikwakwanyi
- Dorothy Mutambo
- Nathan Teah
- Felix Manenji
- Patience Madzorera
- Tinashe Chawafambira
- Pierre Mensah
- Ronald Panashe Gonye
- Motive Zingwina
- Brandon Mutovido
- Takudzwa Gwashure
- Wonderful Chari
- Munyaradzi Mudhina
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
Award Recipients:
- Sam Jensen – Spring 2026
- Priyanka Dhamala – Fall 2025
Kiril Spiroff Book Award
Award Recipients:
- Natalie Sorensen – for excellence in Field Geophysics
- Jacob Ojala – for excellence in Field Geology w/ Engineering Applications
GMES Student Safety Stewardship Award
- Award Recipient: Pierre Mensah
Michigan Space Grant Consortium
Award Recipients:
- Dayana Manrique – for Wildfire Smoke Transport and Air Quality Impacts to the Great Lakes Region
- Sam Jensen – for Magnetometry and Meteorites: Developing Drone-Based Techniques with a Case Study from Lake Leelanau
Coffee Break Seminar Series
Thank you to the following students who contributed to our academic community through research presentations in our Coffee Break Seminar series.
Nontawat (Dew) Srisapan
“Enhanced Defect Characterization in Concrete via High-Frequency Seismic Excitation”
Helen Foldenauer
“The Geochemical, Tectonic, and Temporal Evolution of the Southeastern Superior Craton in Three Lakes, Michigan”
Aimee Zimmerman
“Global Assessment of Volcanic Responses to Earthquake Caused Dilatational Strain and Normal Stress Changes”
Alex Gurrola-Beltran
“Multi-Temporal InSAR Analysis of Pre-Failure Slope Deformation for Hydromechanical Characterization and Early Warning: A Case Study of Big Sur, California”
Congratulations, Class of 2026. We wish you continued success, curiosity, and fulfillment in all that lies ahead.