The Michigan Technological University Student Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) has received the 2026 AIPG Student Chapter Excellence Award.
The strength of the GMES Department lies in its community, and this spring we’re proud to celebrate one of our own for his continued impact as an educator and mentor.
Please join us in congratulating Luke Bowman as one of only 54 instructors across Michigan Technological University to receive an exceptional “Average of 7 Dimensions” student evaluation score for Spring Semester 2026.
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:
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) is proud to congratulate alumna Sienna Meekhof (Geology, 2021) on receiving the 2026 AIPG John Stewart Memorial Early Career Professional Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing outstanding early career geologists who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to advancing the profession.
The Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) is proud to recognize Bryce Baar as the 2026 GMES Department Scholar!
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.
GMES is pleased to share that Priyanka Dhamala, a master’s student majoring in geology, has received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, recognizing her excellent teaching performance with the GE3850 Geohydrology labs, where she served as the Teaching Advisor. She joined Michigan Tech from Lamkichuha, Nepal, in the fall of 2024. Advised by Dr. Greg Waite, Priyanka is on track to graduate this spring 2026.
Priyanka has been praised for her clear communication, patience, and ability to break down complex hydrogeologic concepts in ways that support student success. Her commitment to creating a positive, engaging learning environment has had a meaningful impact on the course and the students she mentors.
“The most rewarding part of serving as a TA was seeing my students connect geological
concepts to real-world examples and watching their curiosity grow. Their questions often taught
me new ways of thinking, too. Teaching has strengthened my confidence, deepened my interest
in academia, and reminded me how much I enjoy being in the classroom, teaching, and
mentoring. One quote I really connect with is, “If you’re the smartest one in the room, you’re in
the wrong room,” by Richard Tirendi. I approached every class with that mindset. Ready to learn
and grow alongside my students.” – Priyanka
This award highlights not only Priyanka’s dedication to teaching but also her strong leadership within the department. GMES congratulates Priyanka on this well-deserved achievement and thanks her for her outstanding contributions to our academic community.
“My advice for future TAs or teaching advisors is to go with an open mind, be welcoming, and
remember that students learn at different paces. Try to see things from their perspective, be
approachable, and create a space where questions feel safe. Sometimes extra effort makes all
the difference.” – Priyanka
GMES is proud to announce that Dr. Sananda Ray, who recently earned her PhD in Geophysics, Summer ‘25, has received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship Award in recognition of her academic excellence, research achievements, and contributions to the Michigan Tech community.
Sananda’s doctoral work, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Radwin Askari, focused on generating and analyzing long-period seismic events to better connect theoretical models with natural volcanic systems.
“When looking for PhD positions, the program and project at Michigan Tech aligned with my research goals.” – Dr. Ray, when asked why she chose MTU.
Her research has been strengthened by international field experience, including work on Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala, where she gained hands-on skills in volcanic seismology. Outside the lab, Sananda enjoys photography, traveling, and building community among her peers.
GMES congratulates Dr. Ray on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to her continued contributions to the geoscience field.
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!