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!
Earning a college degree requires more than time—it demands determination, resilience, and passion. We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Spring 2025 graduates from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University.
These graduates have excelled in research, completed rigorous coursework, and made meaningful contributions to our academic community. Their dedication has prepared them to excel as professionals and researchers in the fields of geosciences, mining, and engineering.
Please join us in congratulating the following graduate students:
Doctor of Philosophy in Geology
“While my work was related to the technical aspect of detecting and modeling hazards, it has important implications for the lives of people who are exposed to or affected by these hazards every day. I plan to continue developing new tools and expanding my knowledge of these geologic processes, thereby diversifying my expertise to include other types of hazards, beyond the focus of my PhD, which is lahars.” –
Master of Science in Geology
Master of Science in Geological Engineering
Master of Science in Geophysics
Master of Science in Mining Engineering
Congratulations to the following students for their successful completion of graduate certificates:
Graduate Certificate in Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction
Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics
These students have demonstrated a commitment to expanding their expertise, and we applaud their accomplishments. We look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in their careers and communities!
Awards and Scholarships Awarded
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Finishing Fellowship Recipients
I chose Michigan Tech and the GMES department because of the campus, the research opportunities, and the strong alumni network.
Discover how one Michigan Tech graduate leveraged international connections, hands-on fieldwork, and interdisciplinary learning to launch a career in natural hazards research. With skills in machine learning, project management, and collaboration with global agencies like INSIVUMEH, he is not just studying volcanoes—he is preparing to protect lives.
Here’s the lowdown from Gustavo Bejar-Lopez.
Q: What made you choose Michigan Tech and the GMES department?
A: I already knew about Michigan Tech during my undergraduate because a few of our professors back home in Ecuador (Yachay Tech) were Michigan Tech graduates. Eventually, when I was applying for grad school, I learned about research projects at GMES. One of these projects was the lahar project, led by Dr. Rudiger Escobar-Wolf, which involved extensive fieldwork —a task I had been eager to undertake.
Q: What was your favorite class or project in GMES?
A: I liked the Social Dimensions of Natural Hazards class because when I took it, the class was comprised of students with very different backgrounds and experiences with natural hazards. It was enriching to learn about these different perspectives on things I had not experienced myself.
Q: What’s next for you after graduation? (Job, grad school, travel, etc.)
A: Currently applying for postdoctoral research and teaching positions mostly aligned with natural hazards or environmental seismology.
Q: How do you hope to make a difference in the world with your degree?
A: While my work was related to the technical aspect of detecting and modeling hazards, it has important implications for the lives of people who are exposed to or affected by these hazards every day. I plan to continue developing new tools and expanding my knowledge of these geologic processes, thereby diversifying my expertise to include other types of hazards, beyond the focus of my PhD, which is lahars.
Q: What unique opportunities did you find at Michigan Tech that you might not have found elsewhere?
A: I was able to work in collaboration with other agencies, mainly INSIVUMEH (the local geophysical monitoring agency in Guatemala). This close collaboration enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the work conducted in volcano observatories and establish a network with local scientists in Guatemala. Additionally, I was able to attend an international conference and participate in field experiences thanks to the funds provided by scholarships and grants available at Michigan Tech, such as the GSG Professional Development Travel Grant.
Q: What skills did you gain in the program that you’re already using (or excited to use)?
A: Before my PhD, I had very little knowledge about programming, mainly limited to MATLAB. While at Tech, I learned to use Python and develop machine learning methods using that platform, as well as analyze time series and perform signal processing. I had the chance to get my own research grant and learned to manage my own project, which expanded on the work on lahars in Guatemala.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming GMES students?
A: Take notes of all the opportunities available for you as a grad student. There is always a grant or scholarship available for which you can apply to conduct fieldwork or attend a conference. If you’re unsure where to find them, ask the professors or department staff for assistance. That, and bring warm clothes.
Mining Engineering MS graduate Poorva Kadrolli ’22 reflects on what drew her to Michigan Tech, the skills she’s proud to carry forward, and her advice for those just starting out.
Q: What made you choose Michigan Tech and the GMES department?
A: The Campus, research background, and a strong Alumni base. The curriculum and staff are also very impactful in building a successful career.
Q: What was your favorite class or project in GMES?
A: Python programming
“Access to a strong alumni base and library facilities.”
Q: What’s next for you after graduation? (Job, grad school, travel, etc.)
A: Currently working as a Mine Engineer in North America’s largest open pit mining operations.
Q: How do you hope to make a difference in the world with your degree?
A: We mine to make the world a better place for tomorrow.
Q: What unique opportunities did you find at Michigan Tech that you might not have found elsewhere?
A: Access to a strong alumni base and library facilities.
Q: What skills did you gain in the program that you’re already using (or excited to use)?
A: Confidence and self-independence are two crucial qualities that MTU taught me, in addition to my academic curriculum.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming GMES students?
A: Be brave to sustain in the cold and snowy weather.