This year, the Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences Department proudly participated in the 2026 SME Annual Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City, as faculty and students engaged with mining professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from across the country for a week of learning, collaboration, and networking.
One of the highlights of the conference was our student team, known as the School of Minds, participating in the SME / NSSGA Student Mine Design Competition. The competition challenged students to apply technical knowledge, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to realistic mining scenarios, giving them valuable hands-on experience while showcasing the strength of our program on a national stage. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism our students demonstrated throughout the event.
The department also hosted an Alumni Social during the conference, bringing together students, faculty, and alumni for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection. Over tacos and refreshments, attendees had the opportunity to reconnect, share career experiences, discuss industry trends, and strengthen the growing GMES community. Events like these continue to highlight the importance of mentorship and professional networking within the mining and geological engineering fields.
“My favorite moment was having one-on-one conversations with alumni who are currently working in the industry. It was really valuable hearing how they transitioned from Michigan Tech into their roles and the advice they shared about breaking into the field.”
– Felix Manenji, MS Mining & Mineral Engineering
“I had the opportunity to speak with a colleague who began their career working directly in underground mining operations and later transitioned into consulting, performing similar work within the geotechnical field.
As a graduate student currently focused on a different technical path, that conversation was truly eye-opening. It showed me how skills developed in mining operations can translate into consulting and geotechnical roles, and how career paths in our industry are often more dynamic than they initially appear.
For me, it was a reminder that conferences are not just about presentations, they are about the people, the shared experiences, and the insights that shape how we think about our future in the mining and geotechnical industry.”
– Brandon Mutovido, MS Mining & Mineral Engineering
Faculty members participated in several professional meetings and leadership activities throughout the conference. Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee notably contributed a technical presentation, “Advancing Mining Safety Analytics: Domain-Adaptive Language Models for Automated Safety Information Extraction”, based on the doctoral research of former PhD student Dr. Abid Danish, who graduated last year. During the conference, Dr. Chatterjee also participated in the Mining Schools Department Chairs meeting.
Dr. Nathan Manser attended an ABET Program Evaluation Training as an Alternate Accreditation Commissioner, participated in an Industrial Minerals Executive Nomination Meeting as Past Chair, attended a leadership luncheon for the local Upper Peninsula Section as director, and supported the NSSGA Student Design team throughout the conference.
The 2026 SME Conference was an exciting and rewarding experience for our department, providing opportunities for professional growth, industry engagement, research dissemination, leadership involvement, and alumni connection. We are grateful to everyone who represented GMES so well and value the lasting connections and experiences gained throughout the conference. These meaningful opportunities for our students and faculty were made possible through the generosity of our donors, whose continued support helps inspire learning, professional growth, and future success within the GMES community.