Dr. Nathan Manser, Professor of Practice in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), has been named the inaugural Richard J. Saccany ’71 Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering. His five-year appointment will begin on July 1, 2026. We congratulate Nathan on this well-deserved recognition.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Richard J. Saccany ’71 Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering,” said Manser.
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) is proud to recognize Dr. Yanrui “Daisy” Ning, who was selected as a Fall 2025 Research Excellence Fund (REF) Seed Grant recipient by Michigan Tech’s Vice President for Research Office. Daisy joined the GMES faculty in Fall 2025 as an Assistant Professor and has quickly begun building a strong research program focused on advancing digital sensing and modeling approaches for subsurface engineering and mining applications.
Dr. Ning’s project “Fiber-Optic Signatures of Stress and Seepage in Underground Critical-Mineral Mines” supports the development of new approaches for improving monitoring and safety in underground critical-mineral mines. By combining advanced modeling techniques with fiber-optic sensing technologies, her work aims to improve how deformation and water-related hazards are detected and interpreted in underground environments.
The REF Seed Grant will help Dr. Ning establish a strong foundation for future externally funded research and expand GMES research capacity in areas such as digital mining, sustainable subsurface engineering, and resilient infrastructure. The project will also provide training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, helping prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists.
The GMES community congratulates Daisy Ning on this achievement and looks forward to her continued success at Michigan Tech. Dr. Ning’s work aligns closely with Michigan Tech’s Tech Forward 2.0 priorities, including sustainability, resilient infrastructure, and responsible development of critical mineral resources. It also reflects GMES’s continued commitment to integrating advanced computational tools and sensing technologies into mining and geoscience education and research.
The GMES community congratulates Daisy Ning on this well-earned recognition and looks forward to the impact of her work as she continues to grow her research program at Michigan Tech.
Michigan Tech’s student team from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES), known as School of Minds, has advanced to the top six teams nationally in Phase 2 of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME)/National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Student Design Competition. This achievement places the team among a select group of top-performing programs across the country in a highly competitive national field.
The geophysical instrumentation capabilities of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) have recently been expanded with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art ABEM Terrameter LS 2 resistivity and induced polarization (IP) surveying system. This purchase was made possible through the Carl Schwenk Faculty Fellow Endowment Fund.
This investment reflects GMES’s ongoing commitment to providing students with hands-on training and technical skills that align with current and emerging workforce needs. The new system replaces an older instrument and enables the addition of an induced polarization module to our summer field geophysics course, taught by the Carl Schwenk Faculty Fellow, Teaching Professor Dr. Jeremy Shannon.
Carl Schwenk was deeply committed to geoscience education and to ensuring that future generations of geoscientists and geoengineers had access to modern tools and meaningful field experiences. By sharing his success with his alma mater, he created a lasting impact that continues to benefit our students today. We remain deeply grateful for his vision and generosity.
Gifts like the Carl Schwenk Faculty Fellow Endowment Fund demonstrate how alumni and friends can make a tangible, lasting difference in student education. Continued philanthropic support allows GMES to invest in cutting-edge equipment, strengthen experiential learning, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving geoscience profession.
Written by Aleksey Smirnov, Chair of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences.
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University is always looking for opportunities to expand our education and research into new, forward-looking areas. Drone-based geophysics is one such area—an emerging field that is rapidly transforming how we investigate and understand the subsurface.
Drone-based geophysics offers remarkable potential for geoscience and engineering practice. By
combining unmanned aerial systems with advanced geophysical sensors, we can safely and efficiently
collect high-resolution data in challenging or previously inaccessible environments. These capabilities
are reshaping mineral exploration, environmental assessment, hazard mapping, and infrastructure
monitoring.
To provide our students with this increasingly sought-after skill set — valued across industry, government agencies, and research organizations — we have launched the development of a new drone-based geophysics curriculum. To support this initiative, the department has acquired a high-capacity Aurelia X6 Pro V2 drone paired with a Geometrics MagArrow II magnetometer, one of the most advanced airborne magnetic systems available. This effort is currently led by Professor Aleksey Smirnov, chair of GMES, together with MS student Samuel Jensen. Both have recently completed comprehensive training and earned professional unmanned aerial vehicle pilot licenses, ensuring safe and compliant deployment of these systems in research and instructional settings.
Our vision is to develop a suite of drone-based geophysics courses covering not only airborne data acquisition but also advanced data processing and visualization. Students will use the state-of-the-art Seequent Oasis Montaj geophysical software — recently acquired to support the Applied Geophysics program — to work with real flight datasets, learn industry-standard workflows, and build strong practical expertise.
Our future research directions include a wide range of potential applications, such as high-resolution magnetic mapping of Precambrian rocks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, critical minerals and geological hydrogen exploration, surveys of mine tailings and legacy mining landscapes for environmental and safety assessments, geologic mapping of fault zones and structural features, and magnetic mapping for archaeological investigations.
We are also actively seeking collaborations with other departments and research centers at Michigan Tech, as well as partners outside the university, to broaden the impact and interdisciplinary reach of this developing program.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our toolkit with additional drone-compatible geophysical methods, including electromagnetics and ground-penetrating radar, further enhancing opportunities for education and research.
We are excited about the hands-on learning and research possibilities that drone-based geophysics will offer, and we hope that this work will inspire more students to join GMES and contribute to the continued success of the department. Stay tuned for updates…
Michigan Technological University’s Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
(GMES) has received a generous donation from PE Limited, a global leader in petroleum engineering
software. The $6,564,992.28 contribution consists of ten licenses for the state-of-the-art MOVE suite
and ten licenses for the IPM suite of products. This innovative software will be critical in advancing
education and academic research by enabling cutting-edge structural modeling and minimizing risk in
geological models.
“This generous donation from PE Limited is a game-changer for our department,” said Dr. Aleksey
Smirnov.
GMES will install the MOVE and IPM software in a computer lab and integrate it into the curriculum,
transforming structural geology education for undergraduate and graduate students. Courses like
GE3050 Structural Geology, a requirement for GMES undergraduates, GE4610 Formation Evaluation and
Petroleum Engineering, and graduate-level classes will leverage this powerful tool to enhance learning
outcomes. Furthermore, MOVE will play a vital role in academic, non-commercial research on tectonics
and structural geology, including mapping Michigan’s iconic Keweenaw Fault and other complex systems
in the Upper Peninsula. The IMP Suite will support our ongoing and future research activities in the
areas of critical mineral extraction, subsurface fluid-flow modeling, and geomechanics.
Dr. Aleksey Smirnov, Chair of the GMES Department, believes in the donation’s transformative impact.
“This generous donation from PE Limited is a game-changer for our department,” said Dr. Aleksey
Smirnov. It empowers our students and researchers to work with industry-leading tools, elevating their
education and research to the next level.”
Since its founding in 1990, PE Limited has been developing software solutions for the oil and gas
industry. PE Limited supports accredited universities offering advanced geology and petroleum
engineering programs through its educational licensing program, fostering the next generation of
industry innovators.
Learn more about the MOVE and IPM suite of products and its role in shaping geologic modeling
excellence.
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological
University is pleased to welcome Dr. Yanrui (Daisy) Ning as the newest member of our faculty in
Geological Engineering. Dr. Ning brings extensive experience and technical expertise that will
strengthen the department’s teaching and research portfolio in subsurface energy systems and
resource engineering.
Dr. Ning earned her Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2017,
where she also served as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Geophysics. Her
research focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), enhanced geothermal
systems, subsurface hydrogen storage, and critical minerals. She applies an integrated approach
that combines multiphase flow modeling, geomechanics, advanced computational simulation,
machine learning, and distributed fiber-optic sensing to advance the understanding and
sustainable management of subsurface energy systems.
In her new role at Michigan Tech, Dr. Ning will contribute to both teaching and research in
support of the Geological Engineering program. Her expertise in subsurface energy systems
directly supports the national priorities of strengthening U.S. energy security, expanding
domestic resource production, and ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals. She is also
advancing emerging fields such as geological hydrogen exploration and carbon management,
which align with the nation’s goals of responsible resource development and technological
innovation in the energy sector.
“Dr. Ning’s expertise in subsurface energy systems and her multidisciplinary approach
will enhance our capabilities in critical areas such as carbon storage, geothermal
energy, critical minerals, and geological hydrogen,” said Aleksey Smirnov, Chair of the
Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences. “We are excited to
have her on board as we continue to grow our Geological Engineering program and
expand our impact on the sustainable development of Earth’s resources.”
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Daisy Ning to Michigan Tech and the GMES community.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus William (Bill) Rose on July 18. A distinguished colleague, devoted mentor, treasured friend, and visionary community leader, Bill began his journey with the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) in 1970, shortly after earning his PhD from Dartmouth College. He dedicated his entire 41-year faculty career to Michigan Tech and the Keweenaw community.
As department chair from 1990 to 1998, Bill led us through transformative growth, expanding graduate programs, increasing external research support, and integrating new technologies into geoscience education and outreach. He was instrumental in establishing signature programs such as the International Masters in Volcanology and Geotechniques (INVOGE) and the Peace Corps Master’s International program in Mitigation of Geologic Natural Hazards—initiatives that have significantly impacted our students and enhanced our global reputation.
Even in retirement, Bill remained deeply engaged, promoting public understanding of geoheritage and sharing his passion for science and culture with the broader community. His generosity, vision, and tireless mentorship have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of knowing him. Many of his students returned decades later to reconnect, a testament to the lasting impact he had on their lives.
Our hearts go out to his wife, Nanno, his sons Christopher and Jason, and their families.
We recognize that no brief message can fully capture his profound impact or enduring legacy. In the coming days, we will share more information and plan a proper tribute to honor Bill’s life and contributions.
Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University is proud to announce that Lucas Maxon, a standout senior in the mining engineering bachelor’s program, has been awarded a Copper Club Scholarship for the 2025–26 academic year. This prestigious award, presented annually by The Copper Club—a New York-based nonprofit that promotes the copper industry—recognizes Lucas’s academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to the future of mining.
Founded in 1944, The Copper Club, Inc. is the leading organization supporting the copper industry through networking, educational grants, and industry events. Its scholarship program is highly competitive, providing support to students majoring in geoscience and related fields, with a focus on the production and development of copper and copper products. Recipients are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and potential for leadership in the industry.
Lucas has shown remarkable commitment to his studies and the mining profession. His active involvement in the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) and his role on the nationally recognized AggCelerate student team highlight both his technical skills and collaborative leadership.
For Lucas, the path to mining engineering was rooted in both heritage and personal passion. “I was born and raised in a historic iron mining town. The mining stopped a long time ago, but the history remains. I have always found the historic mining of my hometown very interesting,” he shared. “As I grew up, I also discovered my love for engineering and problem-solving, and knew it was the path for me. It was a no-brainer from there to combine the two. I took a tour of the GMES department in my senior year of high school, just to confirm that mining engineering was the right path for me, and that Tech was where I wanted to be. Before the tour was even over, I knew this was the right degree for me and an amazing place to get it.”
This scholarship not only provides financial support but also connects Maxon with a network of professionals and opportunities within the copper industry. It underscores the department’s commitment to cultivating talent that will drive the future of mining engineering. Lucas’s award is the latest addition to the roster of GMES students who have earned this honor, including Alice Schmaltz, Jacob Maxon, Emily Street, and Cory Burkwald.
Congratulations to Lucas Maxon on this well-deserved honor!
John Gierke, our colleague and friend, has been granted the status of Professor Emeritus, a recognition approved by the Board of Trustees earlier today in honor of his outstanding career!